Welcoming Community: Social Capital Equity

In the context of welcoming efforts throughout the Northland, social capital equity can be understood as a measure of the relationships among community members and the ability to access resources due to those networks. Increased social capital equity can lead to greater community cohesion, innovation, and overall economic and social well-being.

Supporting social capital equity in our communities plays a key role in empowering and improving the socio-economic mobility of historically underrepresented community members who have faced generational inequities. This not only fosters the personal and professional growth of individuals from all backgrounds, but also strengthens the broader community by creating a more inclusive and collaborative environment. 

There are multiple current initiatives aimed at boosting social capital equity in the Northland, including Northspan’s Driving Access to Wealth and Networks (DAWN) program. DAWN helps to enrich the social capital of underrepresented individuals across six Native Nations and ten Minnesota counties by facilitating intentional relationship-building opportunities and offering access to valuable networking resources throughout the region.

Further welcoming efforts to promote social equity might include:

• Joining local community groups or clubs to build and expand diverse relationships
• Connecting and introducing people within your existing networks who might benefit from getting to know each other
• Supporting initiatives, policies, and programs that promote inclusive and equitable access to community resources and social capital-building opportunities

Considering the relationship between social capital among diverse groups is essential to understanding a more complete picture of equity across the Northland. Visit the Resources to Explore section to learn more about DAWN and other current initiatives to promote social capital equity in the Northland.

“Investing in social capital is investing in the future of our society.” ―Robert D. Putnam

The goal of the Welcoming Community program is to provide the community with continued opportunities for learning and connection related to topics relevant to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our region. In our monthly updates, we highlight a specific equity topic and provide resources related to the monthly theme.

This month’s theme is social capital equity. When exploring the learnings in the Resources to Explore section below, we ask you to consider the following question:

“In terms of social capital equity in northeast Minnesota, where have we come from, where are we now, and what steps do we need to take to reach an equitable future?”

Resources to Explore

DAWN: Driving Access to Wealth and Networks

Search Institute: The Power of Social Capital

University of Minnesota Extension: ‘Social Capital’ Makes Communities Better Places to Live

Opportunity Insights: Social Capital and Economic Mobility

The Council on Quality and Leadership: Increasing the Social Capital of People with Disabilities

Brookings Institution: Social Capital: Why We Need It and How We Can Create More of It

Inside Higher Ed: Leveling the Playing Field for Social Capital

American Public Human Services Association: The Power of Social Capital in Advancing Family Economic Mobility

Institute of Politics: Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of Community in America

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Welcoming Community Program Update

Share Your Perspectives on Inclusion and Belonging in Northeast Minnesota!