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We are a network of changemakers enabling people, places and the planet to flourish. We amplify creativity, connection and innovation through a global fellowship network, support communities of practice and catalyze interventions that enhance the public good. Our nearly 1,300 Fellows lead work across the country on important elements of social change.

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Why Social Capital?

The evidence is clear: who one knows is just as important, if not more so, than what one knows. Social capital, the fabric of our relationships, trust, and community bonds, is now recognized as playing a crucial role in social mobility, associated with increased wealth, health, and happiness.

Unfortunately, America has witnessed a troubling decline in the strength of social ties and social mobility since the mid-century, leading to increased social isolation, alienation, lower life expectancy and an array of other societal determinants of health and wealth. This decline in social capital has significant implications for individual and community well-being, as well as for America’s civic and political institutions, and society’s resilience to shocks and crises.

In response to these challenges, the RSA has partnered with Opportunity Insights to build the field of social capital that bridges researchers, practitioners and communities. Specifically, this collaboration aims to expand our collective understanding of social capital, connect, equip and mobilize a growing field of practitioners committed to translating growing evidence into action. Learn about our social connections intervention here.

Our Journey... so far

Since early 2024, we have been working to help accelerate the field of social connection, supporting a broader movement by connecting grassroots nonprofit leaders with a social capital approach to learn from each other. In collaboration with our partners, we've supported philanthropic funders to understand the value of investing in social capital approaches for impact. And we’ve amplified the work of researchers, policy-makers and academics looking to elevate this agenda to the mainstream. Below is a bit of a timeline of our journey together so far.

Winter 2024

Landscape map - Mapped over 100 leaders in the U.S. working with relationship-driven and social capital approaches to economic mobility, loneliness, civic culture, homelessness, job training, entrepreneurship and health and wellbeing
Built trust, relationships and partnerships with leading organizations working to ignite a movement for social connection

Spring 2024

Hosted a Practitioner Workshop with 62 social connection leaders from across the country in NYC
Awarded Dr. Raj Chetty the Benjamin Franklin Medal for his groundbreaking research at Opportunity Insights which advances our collective understanding of the drivers of economic mobility, including new studies showing the importance of social connections
Hosted a funder roundtable to make the case for investing in social capital while exploring how this emerging field aligns with broader strategies and priorities

Summer 2024

Held focus groups with practitioners to understand how we could better support their work through a transatlantic community of practice
Developed a Connected Places offering for partnering with local actors to support strategies for advancing economic mobility through social connections
Kick-off of a Boston Steering Committee to support a network of social capital practitioners for the region and a share vision for collective impact

Fall 2024

Hosted learning events bringing together social connection movement leaders, including supporting the launch of the American Academy of Arts and Science’s Economic Connectedness Task Force
Launched social connections-themed newsletter sent out quarterly featuring events, news, opportunities for engagement, resources, and highlighting work being done to active and support social connections.

Spring 2025

Bob Putnam keynotes our annual Patron’s Lecture in London; accompanied by leading U.S. social entrepreneur Sarah Hemminger, CEO & Co-Founder, Thread
Baltimore committed as a pilot for our work on Connected Places
Partnership announced with Chamber of Connection to drive social connection infrastructure in Seattle
Launch of our Global Action Learning Network focused on social capital

Summer 2025

Built out resources and support for the Global Action Learning Network & entire field
Planned Boston working session in collaboration with several partners in the area

Fall 2025

Facilitating Discovery Sessions for the Global Action Learning Network to build connective tissue amongst the group, identify priorities and collectively build the scaffolding for this network.
Boston working session brought together 25 practitioners in the Greater Boston area to reflected on where connection is thriving, where it’s missing, and how to create spaces that foster interdependence, reduce isolation, and help strangers become neighbors

Future Planning

Support place-based pilots: In the U.S., pilot our Connected Places offering in 3 places in 2025 (Boston, Baltimore and Seattle) with an additional 5 pilots in 2026
Support a transatlantic social capital community of practice for 3-years to accelerate learning, exchange, and foster a wider understanding of this agenda
Apply research and through leadership to enable places and practitioners to invest in approaches that translate to effective on-the-ground impact

For questions or to join our growing network of social connections practitioners please contact Toni Shoola.

Toni Shoola

RSA US

Senior Connection, Culture and Operations Lead

toni.shoola@thersa.org

For press/media inquiries please contact: Ben Oliver (email: Ben.Oliver@rsa.org.uk).

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