{"id":7,"date":"2025-09-22T22:22:19","date_gmt":"2025-09-22T22:22:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/social-connection.local\/thirdspaces\/?page_id=7"},"modified":"2025-10-28T03:01:14","modified_gmt":"2025-10-28T03:01:14","slug":"front-page","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.social-connection.org\/socialcapital\/","title":{"rendered":"Overview"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Roadmap<\/em>: Reimagining Infrastructure to Improve Social Capital<\/h1>\n\n\n\n


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)<\/sup><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/header>\n\n\n\n

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Social connection is the foundation upon which social capital<\/span> 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/span> 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)<\/sup> Emerging research on structural social capital<\/span> 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)<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A Call for Collective Action<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Economic mobility in the United States faces growing barriers as social connection and community ties weaken.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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)<\/sup> 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With fewer Americans engaged in civic, religious, and neighborhood associations, opportunities to form “bridging<\/span>” relationships – ties that expand an individual’s network and access to jobs, mentorship, and resources – have diminished.(8 9)<\/sup> 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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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)<\/sup> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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)<\/sup> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Relationships across economic lines are among the hardest to build, even more than those across racial or religious differences.(10)<\/sup> 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)<\/sup>. Fostering civic engagement<\/span> and trust strengthens democratic institutions and overall well-being.(13)<\/sup> There is hope in an approach that focuses on developing a culture<\/span> of connection and mutuality across neighborhoods, organizations, institutions, and systems. As communities grow more connected, trust and belonging<\/span> increase, responsibility for one another deepens, and quality of life improves, including health, education, and wealth.(14)<\/sup> Stronger ties also allow communities to mobilize resources and act effectively, creating a cycle of engagement, trust, and efficacy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Local governments have a key role in supporting this cycle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n