What we found out:

[Community Highlights] [Press Release] [Survey Highlights]

The survey revealed that residents in the Kanawha Valley are more engaged in civic life than might be expected of a similar community with the same demographics. We are more likely to know the names of our elected officials and to participate in rallies and groups that take action on local reforms. Our faith-based engagement is slightly more than might be expected with our giving and volunteering less than might be expected from a similar community. This runs counter to the usual trend of communities with high faith-based engagement having high levels of giving and volunteering. The strongest predictor, even stronger than a community's income or educational level, of the quality of life in a community is social trust. The survey results show that residents in the Kanawha Valley trust other people less than might be expected of residents in a similar community with the same demographics.

What we will do:

At the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation the survey results will be used to promote community discussions on social capital and the role it can and does play in improving our quality of life, promoting economic development, and reducing poverty. The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation will use it as a tool for future grantmaking and community development efforts. The survey will also provide other communities throughout the state with a survey tool for measuring their own communities' social capital.