Frequently Asked Questions
What is Social Capital?
"Social capital" describes the network of people, agencies, and institutions within a community who work together to serve that community (including schools, government agencies, and non-profit organizations). "Social resources" are the tools that allow community agencies and research institutions to make more informed choices. By sharing their knowledge, groups can promote effective responses to community problems and improve planning to meet community needs. By building our social capital, we can bring positive change to children's and family services, at every level - from parenting to public policy.
What is the Institute for Social Capital?
The Institute for Social Capital (ISC) connects typically isolated community members by collecting and sharing useful data, which then enables these members to learn from each other. Often, it is difficult for organizations to understand the true impact of thier initiatives, as they have access to only their own individual data. By collecting data across multiple community sources, the ISC can provide these groups with a more clear picture of how social services really work.