The concept of social capital was introduced to Forsyth County by the Winston-Salem Foundation in 1999 when they announced the ECHO Fund to provide grants to increase social capital.  Then in 2000 when the National Social Capital Benchmark Study was conducted by Dr. Robert D. Putnam of Harvard.

Winston-Salem was one of 40 sites to participate in this national study on social capital, considered to be the largest scientific investigation of civic engagement ever conducted in America.  Social capital refers to connections among people, based on trust, which enhance cooperation for mutual benefit. Studies show that communities with high levels of social capital are likely to have higher educational achievement, better performing governmental institutions, faster economic growth, and less crime and violence. And people living in these communities are likely to be happier, healthier, and to have a longer life expectancy.

Based on surveys of 3,000 people nationally and another 26,200 in 40 selected communities throughout the U.S. (including Forsyth County, Greensboro and Charlotte), the National Social Capital Benchmark Study produced a scorecard showing how each community stacked up compared to expectations based on its demographics.

The survey showed that Forsyth County had high levels of involvement in faith-based activities and charitable giving.  On the other hand, there were a number of “soft spots” with regard to social capital, including:

• mistrust among residents, especially among residents who come from different social circles;
• an over-concentration of leadership among “traditional leaders;” 
• a lack of public gathering spaces that encourage informal socializing among all segments of the community; and
• relatively low levels of volunteering, especially volunteering that involves doing things with people (rather than for people).

These themes were reinforced during a series of ECHO Listening Sessions conducted during the summer of 2003.  Participants in the sessions painted the following picture of how the community should change with regard to social capital:

• Decision making becomes more inclusive.
• Leadership is intentionally developed throughout the entire community.
• Volunteerism is broadened in terms of opportunities, training and who is involved.
• Community development and economic development go hand in hand.
• More public gathering places are created, especially spaces that encourage dialogue and interactions among diverse segments of the community.

Changes of this magnitude are achieved only through strategies that are systemic and comprehensive in scope, which in turn, require an organization that a) is focused specifically on the issue of social capital, b) has influence and credibility throughout the community, and c) is capable of developing innovative and creative solutions to entrenched community problems.  Because no existing organization in Forsyth County met those conditions, The Winston-Salem Foundation assembled the ECHO Council as a means of building social capital on a community-wide basis. 

Five years after the original study, a follow-up study is being planned to evaluate what has changed with social capital in our community in light of the intensive work guided by The Winston-Salem Foundation.

• 2000 National Social Capital Community Benchmark Survey, National Results
• 2000 National Social Capital Community Benchmark Survey, Local Press Release
• Winston-Salem Journal Guest Editorial – Doug Easterling, UNCG