What We Are Doing at the CNY Community Foundation

[Community Highlights] [Survey Highlights]

Social capital in Central New York will be strengthened by the collective efforts of our people and institutions. At the Central New York Community Foundation we are trying to help.

Social Capital Benchmark Survey: Just recently Americans got a new picture of social capital. A half-hour opinion survey was conducted in 40 communities nationwide, including Syracuse and Onondaga County. Surveyors asked questions about important elements of social capital like community involvement, trust, volunteering, and giving. When the results were released, we saw where social capital is strongest and where it's not so strong. It gave us a good idea of what we can build upon. And we are able to compare Syracuse and Onondaga County to other communities, as well as to the national average. Links to results are available on www.cnycf.org.

Social Capital Grants: The Central New York Community Foundation is now looking at how to strengthen the social capital component of our grant programs. We recognize that building social capital is not the basic purpose of most organizations, but it is a collateral benefit of the ways in which most organizations carry out their basic mission. Many build social capital in hundreds of creative and important ways. We want to support that work, and encourage more of it.

Information Sharing: The Central New York Community Foundation will conduct information sharing sessions. A large community convening is tentatively scheduled for April 10, 2001, that will encompass not-for profit agencies, academic partners, elected officials and community service organizations. More information will be forthcoming. The Central New York Community Foundation has social capital information on its website as well. It includes links to the many national sites that are springing up and ideas from local organizations and people who are doing good work in this area.

Discussion Groups: The Central New York Community Foundation is developing materials for your organization or community group to use in group discussions. If you're interested, drop us a note at: Central New York Community Foundation, Inc. Suite 428, 500 South Salina Street, Syracuse, NY 13202-3302 or www.cnycf.org. We'1l get back to you with details.