Community Social Capital Model

Extension’s Community Social Capital Model shows the whole social capital picture.

• The core is efficacy — a belief that one can make a difference in a variety of social contexts.
• The inner ring considers trust within each of the three types of networks:
  • Bonding — residents with a common social background trust each other
  • Bridging — residents with different social backgrounds trust each other
  • Linking — residents trust organizations and systems
• The outer ring considers types of engagement, also within each of the three types of networks:
  • Bonding — residents with a common social background engage with each other
  • Bridging — residents with different social backgrounds engage with each other
  • Linking — residents engage with organizations and systems

When conditions in each of these seven aspects of social capital are strong, a community is more able to channel its human energy to solve problems.

• Bonding — residents have close connections that give a sense of belonging and help them get by.
• Bridging — residents have broad connections that help them expand opportunities.
• Linking — residents have connections to organizations and systems that help them gain resources and bring about change.