The Roadmap: Reimagining Infrastructure to Improve Social Capital

At the Foundation for Social Connection, we recognize that our relationships contribute to many aspects of our individual and collective well-being, including upward economic mobility. Social capital – the benefits we derive from our relationships – is among the strongest predictors of economic mobility, particularly when it is formed across socioeconomic status.⁽¹⁾

Social connection is the foundation upon which social capital is built. Through relationships with neighbors, co-workers, and other people in our community, we learn about job opportunities, develop skills to succeed in the labor market, and build the confidence to navigate complex systems.

Developing these relationships with those not in our immediate circle, requires spaces and activities where individuals from diverse networks and socioeconomic backgrounds can meet and interact. Third places – places outside of home and work where people gather informally to connect, converse, and build community – serve as containers for social connection to form and for social capital to thrive.

The Gates Foundation aims to help the U.S. economic system better meet the needs of people experiencing poverty and significantly increase their opportunities to achieve economic success. Their definition of economic mobility is rooted in three pillars: economic success, power and autonomy, and being valued in community. Social capital plays a critical role within each of these pillars.⁽²⁾ Emerging research on structural social capital reveals the importance of network building, which is highly influenced by investments in infrastructure, community spaces, and neighborhood construction. This dimension of social capital is requisite for making high-quality connections and for social capital to develop among people and across communities. Although class-based segregation and a lack of quality connections affect economic connectedness, systems that prioritize people can play a vital role in an individual’s ability to climb the economic ladder.⁽³⁾

This project was born out of a shared commitment between the Foundation for Social Connection and the Gates Foundation to better understand the interrelated concepts of third places, social connection, social capital, and how they contribute to economic mobility. Community visits across the country and interviews with experts from diverse fields helped us develop a framework that encourages local leaders to consider the power of social connection as they make infrastructure investment decisions to advance economic mobility. We believe this roadmap, which includes lessons learned, local examples, and evidence-informed strategies will contribute to building more connected, inclusive, and economically prosperous communities.

A Call for Collective Action

Economic mobility in the United States faces growing barriers as social connection and community ties weaken.

Recent research shows that economic mobility in the United States has generally declined over the past few decades in both urban and rural areas, especially for low-income families who face persistent poverty.^{(4 5 6 7)} One of the strongest predictors of upward income mobility for individuals with low socioeconomic status (SES) is the share of friends they have with high SES, or economic connectedness.

With fewer Americans engaged in civic, religious, and neighborhood associations, opportunities to form “bridging” relationships – ties that expand an individual’s network and access to jobs, mentorship, and resources – have diminished.^{(8 9)} Growing these relationships, which contribute to an individual’s social capital, is especially important in underserved communities, where they can help people move up the economic ladder, narrowing the wealth gap over time.

Relationships across economic lines economic mobility in the United States has generally declined over the past few decades in both urban and rural areas, especially for low-income families who face persistent poverty.^{(4 5 6 7)} One of the strongest predictors of upward income mobility for individuals with low socioeconomic status (SES) is the share of friends they have with high SES, or economic connectedness.

Relationships across economic lines are among the hardest to build, even more than those across racial or religious differences.⁽¹⁰⁾ Without them, social capital and mobility can remain limited. Civil society itself suffers because democracies require people who have the skills to collaborate and address complex, multifaceted problems together. Social capital can provide individuals with the resources needed to participate in civic life, including access to information, social support, and opportunities for engagement.^{(11 12)}. Fostering civic engagement and trust strengthens democratic institutions and overall well-being.⁽¹³⁾ There is hope in an approach that focuses on developing a culture of connection and mutuality across neighborhoods, organizations, institutions, and systems. As communities grow more connected, trust and belonging increase, responsibility for one another deepens, and quality of life improves, including health, education, and wealth.⁽¹⁴⁾ Stronger ties also allow communities to mobilize resources and act effectively, creating a cycle of engagement, trust, and efficacy.

Local governments have a key role in supporting this cycle.

When local leaders invite residents in as partners and invest in “third places” such as libraries, parks, and locally owned gathering spaces, municipalities can create conditions for people and organizations to connect across differences. This approach can generate the trust and networks that open pathways to opportunity.^{(15 16)}
Physical spaces and models for dialogue that lead to collective action are both critical to this process. The social connection that grows with these interactions is a critical lever for mobility, but must be supported by equitable policies that expand access to resources and opportunities.⁽¹⁷⁾
Systems must change to address inequities. A relationship-centered approach rooted in participation and trust between government and residents is essential to building the social infrastructure and civic capacity that underpin economic mobility.

This report is the culmination of a year-long exploration of the connection between social capital, economic mobility, and the importance of investing in neighborhood third places. In particular, we examined the steps local government can take in partnership with residents and local organizations to support investment and measure the impact of interventions that focus on building social connection. This report is available to download as a pdf file in the Resources section.

An Approach Combining Theory and Practice

As evidence is at the root of all our work at F4SC, we began this project with an exploration of the theories of social capital, economic mobility, infrastructure – both physical and social. As we linked these theories to social connection, we included research on social psychology, movement building, and systems change. Conversations with our working group members, subject matter experts, and community members confirmed this direction.

We were guided in particular by two frameworks and two practices. The Water of Systems Change and the Urban Institute’s Upward Mobility Framework provide the link between economic success and social connection. Both frameworks consider how individuals experience belonging, agency, respect, and inclusion, and how those experiences affect power, autonomy, and leadership in a community. Two practices we included are Marshall Ganz’s model for relational community organizing because it develops leadership skills and a pathway to build solidarity and collective power. The practice of Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) empowers residents by focusing on the strengths, skills, and resources that already exist within a community so they can identify and mobilize their individual and collective assets.

The Water of Systems Change

The Water of Systems Change⁽¹⁸⁾ theorizes that if we hope for the outcomes of community change to be more and higher quality social connections that lead to increased social capital, we need to think systematically about how to change a community from being isolated to socially connected. Seven key conditions for systemic change are all connected and have a significant influence on whether communities are isolated or become more socially connected. The pyramid is like an iceberg – there are conditions that are more tangible and explicit and those that are more implicit or invisible. In communities, there are power dynamics within relationships and connections that cannot be ignored. These are conditions that are below the waterline and may seem difficult to engage, but are critical to achieving transformational change. The top layer was not part of the original theory, but was added by F4SC when creating the Action Guide

Urban Institute’s Upward Mobility Framework

The Urban Urban Institute’s Upward Mobility Framework defines upward mobility not only in terms of economic success, but also through two additional dimensions: power & autonomy, and dignity & belonging, recognizing that people need not just resources, but agency, respect, and social inclusion to thrive. It identifies five pillars of support – rewarding work; high-quality education; opportunity-rich, inclusive neighborhoods; a healthy environment and access to good healthcare; and responsive, just governance. The framework also includes 24 evidence-based predictors (for example, housing stability, preschool access, political participation) and a suite of “Mobility Metrics” so local leaders can measure change not just in income or employment, but in social connection, sense of belonging, health, civic voice – all of which are essential for psychological well-being and sustained upward mobility.

“For any movement to be truly effective, its stakeholders must have strong connections with one another, a personal sense of belonging to the city, and an earnest belief that their well-being is bound up with the well-being of their fellow citizens.”
—AJ Calhoun

Explore More

Framework

Measurement

Community Stories

Roadmap and Key Findings

Resources

Acknowledgements

This report is based on research funded by the Gates Foundation. The findings and conclusions contained within are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect positions or policies of the Gates Foundation.

F4SC Executive Director

Jillian Racoosin, Foundation for Social Connection

Project Director and Author

Frances Kraft, Foundation for Social Connection

Research, Writing, Community Gatherings, and Creative Direction for Design and Technology

Frances Kraft, Foundation for Social Connection

Prachir Pasricha, Foundation for Social Connection

Sarah Nemetz, Foundation for Social Connection

Community GATHERINGS

Joanne Lee, Healthy Places by Design

Graphic Design

Kathy Chen

Site Development

Zelda Lin, Cause + Effect

Linden Goh, Cause + Effect

Media Inquiries

Shannon Vyvijal, shannon@social-connection.org

PHOTOGRAPHY

San Antonio, Texas
Key Ideas Inc.

Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Onion Studio, Inc.

Hennepin County, Minnesota
Angelic Jewel Photography

Buncombe County, North Carolina
Jeff Kraft

Hartford, Connecticut
Karl Bjorn Wedding Photography

STAFF SUPPORT

Varnika Birla, Foundation for Social Connection

Devanshi Trivedi, Foundation for Social Connection

WORKING GROUP MEMBERS

AJ Calhoun

Alexa Clay
Julia Freeland Fisher
Shamichael Hallman
Julianne Holt-Lunstad
Nikola Ilic
Edna Ishayik
David Jay
Tom Kenyon
Seth Kaplan
Erin K. Peavey
Jillian Racoosin
Celestin Okoroji
Cormac Russell
Cary Simmons
Linda R. Tropp
Danielle Varda
Risa Wilkerson

Local Advisors

Baltimore, Maryland
Sarah Hemminger

San Antonio, Texas
Ann Helmke

Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Jacqueline Wolven

Hennepin County, Minnesota
Chris LaTondresse

Buncombe County, North Carolina
Victoria Reichard, Jenesis Nicolaisen, alexandria monque ravenel, and David Greenson

Hartford, Connecticut
Rick Brush

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