Social Capital Initiative

The foundation's Social Capital initiative is a collaborative effort with Harvard's JFK School of Government to assess relationships, trust, and civic engagement in Lewiston-Auburn (L/A).

The first survey of L/A residents was completed in January 2000 as part of a national, community-based look at social capital in 37 different communities. The 2006 survey looked at 22 communities including L/A.

The foundation is using the results from the 2006 Social Capital Community Survey to inform its grantmaking in Androscoggin County. Members of the foundation's Androscoggin County Committee are working with the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce to translate the results into action at a local level.

Download more detailed information related to the 2006 and 2000 surveys:

• Social Capital: Cultivating Community Connections in Maine provides a summary of MaineCF's work with social capital and identifies questions to consider when assessing the potential of a particular project to build social capital in your community.
• 2006 Survey Results at a Glance
• 2006 Survey Results in Detail
• 2000 Survey Results in Detail
• Survey Instrument (Long Version)
• Survey Instrument (Short Version)

For information about the national project, visit www.bettertogether.org.