Social Capital Benchmark Survey
The Community Foundation’s work on
building social capital in the Twin Ports grew out of Dr. Robert D. Putnam’s
keynote address to the Community Foundation’s Annual Meeting in May, 2001.
Dr. Putnam, professor at Harvard
University, is the author
of the best-selling book
Bowling Alone:
The Collapse and Revival of American Community, and is a nationally recognized expert on
social capital. Putnam’s address focused on the decline of “social capital” and
the need to rebuild community strengths and resources.
Social capital, also known as
“community connectedness,” refers to social networks and the trust and
reciprocity that arise from these networks. Studies show that communities with
high levels of social capital are likely to have higher educational
achievement, better performing government, faster economic growth, and
less crime and violence. People in these communities are also likely to be
happier, healthier, and have a longer life expectancy.
Duluth, Superior and Social Capital:
In 2006, the Twin Ports participated in the Social Capital Community Survey. It surveyed 7,250 respondents,
including 500 households in Duluth and Superior, to measure the degree of connectedness,
interaction, and trust among people in Duluth
and Superior,
and in 21 other communities nationally. The 2006 survey builds on the 2000 Social
Capital Community Benchmark Survey, developed by Harvard’s John F. Kennedy
School of Government. The scope of the study allows comparisons with a national sample.
The survey found that Duluth and Superior are known for
their high levels of some kinds of social capital. For example,
residents in
this region vote at greater numbers than other places and are involved
in
politics and sports in great numbers. People in Duluth
and Superior also
visit with their neighbors in very high numbers. But there are
challenges. When
they tend to interact, they interact with people like themselves. The
area
lacks “bridging social capital,” in which people with different
interests and
backgrounds work together. Additional survey findings, which include a
break-out report for young adults in the Twin Ports can be found below.
View the full findings of the 2006 Social Capital Report.
View the full findings of the 2006 Young Adults Social Capital Report.
Drew Digby, who worked for the University
of Minnesota Duluth at
the time of the survey analyzed the research. In addition, the Community
Foundation convened a Task Force of community advisors which reviewed the
Duluth/Superior data prior to its public release. This committee included:
Faith Hensrud, Casey LaCore, Chandra Mahrotra, Toby Marcovich, Christopher
Markwood, Maureen O’Brien, Debra Smith and Donald Wallgren (Chair).
Additional Efforts:
Speak Your Peace: The Civility Project; a social capital
emphasis at the Community Foundation’s annual Touchstone awards ceremony, integration of
social capital as a high priority into grantmaking guidelines; and,
participation in nationwide efforts to research and address the issue of
declining social capital are just a few additional ways the Community
Foundation is elevating the importance of social capital in the Twin Ports.
Funding:
The Community Foundation’s social capital efforts are made
possible through a generous grant from the Otto Bremer Foundation.
