--- title: Becoming a Social Capital Promoting Organization description: Learn how organizations can promote social capital to support youth development through a framework focused on building relationships and opportunities. Discover actionable strategies for impactful change. image: https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/insights_practice_2024-04-social-capital.jpg --- Theme + Migration = $1489 (Pay for the Theme Only). 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[Resources Tailored to Your Role](https://searchinstitute.org/resources-hub/search?query=&page=1&configure%5BenablePersonalization%5D=true&configure%5BuserToken%5D=anonymous-2aec4746-2f17-46a7-871b-a10e30f1f2f7&configure%5BclickAnalytics%5D=true&hierarchicalMenu%5Btaxonomy.lvl0%5D=Resource%20Audience) Tools to support everyone who works with young people — educators, youth program workers, schools and youth program leaders, and community members [Resources Related to the Setting Where Relationships Take Place](https://searchinstitute.org/resources-hub/search?query=&page=1&configure%5BenablePersonalization%5D=true&configure%5BuserToken%5D=anonymous-2aec4746-2f17-46a7-871b-a10e30f1f2f7&configure%5BclickAnalytics%5D=true&hierarchicalMenu%5Btaxonomy.lvl0%5D=Setting) Young people thrive when they experience a broader web of relationships, build strong relationships in a class or program, at home, and across your organization. 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[![hlogo](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hs-fs/hubfs/hlogo.webp?width=187&height=90&name=hlogo.webp "hlogo")](https://searchinstitute.org) [![hlogo](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hs-fs/hubfs/hlogo.webp?width=187&height=90&name=hlogo.webp "hlogo")](https://searchinstitute.org) - BLOG - SHOP - DONATE - CONTACT - [RESEARCH](https://searchinstitute.org/research) - [SOLUTIONS](https://searchinstitute.org/solutions) - [INSIGHTS](https://searchinstitute.org/insights) - [FUNDERS & PARTNERS](https://searchinstitute.org/funders-partners) - [ABOUT](https://searchinstitute.org/about) [![hlogo](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hs-fs/hubfs/hlogo.webp?width=187&height=90&name=hlogo.webp "hlogo")](https://searchinstitute.org) - [RESEARCH](https://searchinstitute.org/research) - [SOLUTIONS](https://searchinstitute.org/solutions) - [INSIGHTS](https://searchinstitute.org/insights) - [FUNDERS & PARTNERS](https://searchinstitute.org/funders-partners) - [ABOUT](https://searchinstitute.org/about) - [RESOURCE HUB](https://searchinstitute.org/resources-hub) # Blog April 30, 2024 3 Minutes Read By : [Search Institute](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/author/search-institute) Topics Developmental Relationships Research Developmental Assets Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Youth Programs Provide Support Family Engagement Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) SI Spotlight Social Capital Share Power Solutions Youth Thriving Education / School Expand Possibilities Student Voice Challenge Growth Summer Scholars Thriving Youth Voice Express Care Sparks Data Insights Faith Field Partner Spotlight LGBTQ+ Workshops Relationship Ready Schools Conversation Starters Sports Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) # Becoming a Social Capital Promoting Organization [![Share on twitter](https://7528302.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528302/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/x-twitter-color.png?width=24&name=x-twitter-color.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.searchinstitute.org%2Fbecoming-a-social-capital-promoting-organization%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.searchinstitute.org%2Fbecoming-a-social-capital-promoting-organization%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=) [![Share on linkedin](https://7528302.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528302/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/linkedin-color.png?width=24&name=linkedin-color.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.searchinstitute.org%2Fbecoming-a-social-capital-promoting-organization%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on facebook](https://7528309.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528309/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-web-default-modules_hubspot/img/facebook-color.png?width=24&name=facebook-color.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.searchinstitute.org%2Fbecoming-a-social-capital-promoting-organization%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) ![](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/insights_practice_2024-04-social-capital.jpg) [Social Capital](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/social-capital) # Becoming a Social Capital Promoting Organization By [Search Institute](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/author/search-institute) April 29 2024 3 Minutes Read Schools and organizations that serve young people are critical environments for supporting their healthy growth and development. One opportunity organizations have is to promote social capital, the resources and supports that help young people define and pursue their life goals.  Rooted in a web of supportive relationships, social capital becomes critically important in middle school and through high school and young adulthood, as they prepare to work towards their postsecondary goals.  Search Institute’s [Social Capital Framework](https://searchinstitute.org/youth-opportunity-toolkit/social-capital-framework) is based on research-backed principles that have been shown to support young people’s social capital development. Applying this framework can help organizations learn ways to strengthen social capital and maximize the opportunity to become a social capital promoting organization.  ## What Is Social Capital? Search Institute defines social capital as the **resources that arise from a web of relationships, which young people can access and mobilize as they pursue their life goals.** More simply, it’s the web of support that young people have in their lives— the relationships, connections, opportunities, and resources that can help young people as they work toward their education, career, or life goals. ## Becoming a Social Capital Promoting Organization Search Institute’s decades of research and practice have taught us that [developmental relationships](https://searchinstitute.org/developmental-relationships) are key for young people’s positive development. Social capital is a way of focusing on not just the one-to-one relationships with individuals, but the web of relationships that surround young people. A social capital promoting organization is a school or youth-serving organization that is committed and intentional about infusing meaningful relationships that provide resources and opportunities throughout the entire organization and beyond in an effort to support young people’s social capital development. ## A Framework for Understanding Social Capital We developed the [Social Capital Framework](https://searchinstitute.org/youth-opportunity-toolkit/social-capital-framework) as a way to give schools and youth-serving organizations actionable and practical strategies that can be implemented within their organization on their path toward becoming a social capital promoting organization.  The framework is informed by our research, which has identified the core conditions that are needed within youth-serving organizations in order to effectively and equitably contribute to young people’s social capital growth.  The [Social Capital Framework](https://searchinstitute.org/youth-opportunity-toolkit/social-capital-framework) is designed to help leaders and practitioners think about ways to enhance or be more intentional about things they are already doing to increase opportunities for all young people.  The framework is divided into 4 domains: Build, Create, Support, and Empower.  ### BUILD..  | [![Build Social Capital](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/52eHty3G7M04LTnPzr0wRW5lkCx9xnrm1Dn7Xuj3WEmXl8gusZCQUazOQ183oHCO88ifRu0HH2ImJwN39T9nzlAx5qeeaaETtpuEWuTZQr63hizPsIFXsAzmjr0jYgIoB0R_1SknuGtTs-LkvfWv7w.png?width=197&height=150&name=52eHty3G7M04LTnPzr0wRW5lkCx9xnrm1Dn7Xuj3WEmXl8gusZCQUazOQ183oHCO88ifRu0HH2ImJwN39T9nzlAx5qeeaaETtpuEWuTZQr63hizPsIFXsAzmjr0jYgIoB0R_1SknuGtTs-LkvfWv7w.png)](https://searchinstitute.org/youth-opportunity-toolkit/social-capital-framework/build) | Build partnerships and structures needed to promote social capital organization-wide.  - **Supporting Structures:** Inputs needed to support an organization that prioritizes relationships, including hiring practices, programming, policies, and internal communications - **Impactful Partnerships:** Strong relationships with your community and other organizations who can support your mission. | | --- | --- | ### CREATE.. | [![](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/vsANI0W1HRYne8Xu28GOrumL0DCc1NarhGp1aO7sz_mgZlf8OC9L86hUKcIEp-skgwVzEGlJt-zULaJZWJ3Ph1ngqccu5449WZlHsW6sKdaZ-o6NbzKn1GTmzKJtfzm1h8ndozjVa-kechUbzDDMtQ.png?width=192&height=146&name=vsANI0W1HRYne8Xu28GOrumL0DCc1NarhGp1aO7sz_mgZlf8OC9L86hUKcIEp-skgwVzEGlJt-zULaJZWJ3Ph1ngqccu5449WZlHsW6sKdaZ-o6NbzKn1GTmzKJtfzm1h8ndozjVa-kechUbzDDMtQ.png)](https://searchinstitute.org/youth-opportunity-toolkit/social-capital-framework/create) | Create a relationship-rich climate that is safe, culturally responsive, where all young people feel valued and have the opportunity to explore their passions.  - **Safe Space:** An environment where all youth feel accepted, welcomed, and respected. - **Culturally Responsive:** Uses practices to promote inclusivity, diversity, and equity. - **Sense of Belonging:** Youth and staff feel seen and valued. - **Opportunities to Explore Sparks:** The opportunity for youth to explore interests, passions, and talents. | | --- | --- | ### SUPPORT.. | [![Support Staff](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/SKpeCrNHgH453j79hpIhBM-7AOL-O-f430H7WjEBsDHx4HDM4US-LBdlo5JBPCyv_SlbiemqWOK4flUBnSbn7RYJSi_FlQ646FVoOeeNdl0pDduYRFSffXi0ljddVEChivPBkYP4eKuv_HWTyICzEg.png?width=241&height=150&name=SKpeCrNHgH453j79hpIhBM-7AOL-O-f430H7WjEBsDHx4HDM4US-LBdlo5JBPCyv_SlbiemqWOK4flUBnSbn7RYJSi_FlQ646FVoOeeNdl0pDduYRFSffXi0ljddVEChivPBkYP4eKuv_HWTyICzEg.png)](https://searchinstitute.org/youth-opportunity-toolkit/social-capital-framework/support) | Support staff and practitioners in nurturing young people’s social capital growth.  - **Asset-Based Mindset:** Staff believe in youth assets and potential. - **Authentic Relationship Building:** Staff engage in actions to create strong developmental relationships. - **Brokering Skills:** Staff connect youth with and facilitate access to relationships, resources, and opportunities. | | --- | --- | ### EMPOWER.. | ### [![](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/EJQB4CP42-1ywXr1OOoX0qhqxE4oL1R2ms4oWKGp4wI_QxwmB-lh45BNCLcuV1MWsxO1vnpFhDuE-Keja7ftTXj07jvg2fu0lpAKiCtz8gUAt-uqd6VGNRkz-eS3TstVPgJiq7m6GoH3qSMyA-sh2g.png?width=210&height=176&name=EJQB4CP42-1ywXr1OOoX0qhqxE4oL1R2ms4oWKGp4wI_QxwmB-lh45BNCLcuV1MWsxO1vnpFhDuE-Keja7ftTXj07jvg2fu0lpAKiCtz8gUAt-uqd6VGNRkz-eS3TstVPgJiq7m6GoH3qSMyA-sh2g.png)](https://searchinstitute.org/youth-opportunity-toolkit/social-capital-framework/empower) | Empower youth to take steps to strengthen their own skills and talents as they pursue their life goals.  - **Relational Skills:** Youth have skills to build meaningful relationships. - **Confidence & Self-Efficacy:** Youth believe in their own strengths and have confidence to pursue goals. - **Commitment to Paying-it-Forward:** Youth are inspired to help others. | | --- | --- | ## Taking a Pulse: Assessing your ability to be social capital promoting organization Search Institute has partnered with schools and youth-serving organizations to better understand how their goals and work can translate into social capital and help support positive youth outcomes.  Whether you are working toward youth academic and education success, career and workforce readiness, social emotional learning, youth voice and agency, social capital can be integrated into the fabric of your organization.  How is your organization supporting social capital today? Are there areas of opportunity to explore?  The [Youth Opportunity Checkup](https://searchinstitute.org/youth-opportunity-checkup-survey) is a tool designed to support organizations in self-assessing the four core areas of a social capital promoting organization. A tool to help you generate conversations, benchmark the progress, identify gaps and identify and Inform ongoing efforts to close gaps and achieve the organization's social capital goals. --- [![Youth Opportunity Toolkit](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/6693290/interactive-165666326034.png)](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLLW9bYGRHzcLtdATqhOSqVa2MzA0NWzb24smA8UVTCOBtmwxWNcrrp2a3e4KEqwC7pMbLMVjk4%2Bvvk6Pyz4ApjmQ4V9fXC70oUT04Rp345PHr2EwUyBPI0WjeJ73gKdz2SatU6ZZHcfP8y7ZR%2FZhKo%2Fob0Lg7cINryuwmrY8c40G2MlO4D9zA4InGSVegr%2Fkawxbv8yN4Mij4XiJvI%3D&webInteractiveContentId=165666326034&portalId=6693290) [Social Capital, ](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/social-capital) #### Search Institute Author ## Recommended For You 4 Min Read ### [Relationships: The Oxygen of Human Development](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/relationships-oxygen-human-development) [Eugene C. Roehlkepartain, Ph.D., Senior Scholar July 21 2014](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/author/eugene-c-roehlkepartain-ph-d-senior-scholar) [![](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Moving-Data-into-Action-Tools-for-Deepening-Relationships-That-Matter.jpg)](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/moving-data-into-action-tools-for-deepening-relationships-that-matter) [Developmental Relationships](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/developmental-relationships) [Research](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/research) 5 Min Read ### [Moving Data into Action: Tools for Deepening Relationships That Matter](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/moving-data-into-action-tools-for-deepening-relationships-that-matter) [Search Institute May 09 2024](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/author/search-institute) [Share Power](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/share-power) [Developmental Assets](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/developmental-assets) [Conversation Starters](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/conversation-starters) [Challenge Growth](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/challenge-growth) [Family Engagement](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/family-engagement) [Developmental Relationships](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/developmental-relationships) [Youth Programs](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/youth-programs) [Expand Possibilities](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/tag/expand-possibilities) 3 Min Read ### [6 Ways to Step Up with Youth as They “March for Our Lives”](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/march-for-our-lives) [Eugene C. Roehlkepartain, Ph.D., Senior Scholar March 21 2018](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/author/eugene-c-roehlkepartain-ph-d-senior-scholar) ![search-footerlogo](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/hubfs/search-footerlogo.png "search-footerlogo") ## Search Institute 2550 University Avenue West Suite 200N St. Paul, MN 55114 800.888.7828 612.376.8955 i[nfo@searchinstitute.org](mailto:info@searchinstitute.org) - [Research](https://searchinstitute.org/research) - [Solutions](https://searchinstitute.org/solutions) - [Insights](https://searchinstitute.org/insights) - [Funders & Partners](https://searchinstitute.org/funders-partners) - [About](https://searchinstitute.org/about) - [Blog](https://blog.searchinstitute.org/) - [Donate](https://searchinstitute.org/donate) - [Contact](https://searchinstitute.org/contact) - [Subscribe to our Newsletter](https://searchinstitute.org/subscribe-to-our-enewsletter) - [Cancellations, Returns & Refunds](https://searchinstitute.org/cancellations-returns-refunds) - [Public Records](https://searchinstitute.org/nonprofit-status-public-records) - [Permissions Request Form](https://survey.search-institute.org/s3/Permissions-Request-Form) - [Keep Connected](http://keepconnected.searchinstitute.org/) ©2024 Search Institute | [Terms of Use](https://www.search-institute.org/terms-of-use/) Search Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable corporation. 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