Growing Networks—Connecting Communities
Our mission is to transform social capital into opportunity by rewarding community engagement. We combine technology and relationship-building to strengthen community networks, build social capital, and create new pathways of opportunity for individuals and communities.
How does community engagement build more resilient communities?
The National Conference on Citizenship reports that civic measures that promote social cohesion, like attending public meetings, volunteering, helping a neighbor, and registering to vote, can substantially increase a community’s resilience against unemployment during times of economic uncertainty.
States with high social cohesion had unemployment rates two percentage points lower than their less connected and trusting counterparts, even when controlling for demographics and economic factors. Source: Civic Health and Unemployment, 2012, National Conference on Citizenship
What barriers are preventing individuals from engaging with their community?
“A 2023 report from AmeriCorps on volunteering and civic life in America found that Boston is the most helpful major city in America based on how much our neighbors support each other outside of an organizational context. But before we jump to celebration, we must acknowledge that the ranking doesn’t tell the full story.”
A study by McBride et al, 2006 reports that “people of limited resources may be civically engaged, but their limited resources and those of their communities curtail their ability to be more engaged” due to “lack of time, work schedules, family demands, and availability of transportation.”
At Union Capital we provide the invitation and incentive for members to engage in our community in whatever capacity they desire and are able. When members join, we connect and communicate with them about resources and programs. Some members are able to attend these programs, including our Network Nights, as well as share their own gifts, talents, and resources. And some members are able to step up to lead, including at our own gatherings, as well as organize groups to take action on community issues and concerns. Importantly, there is no requirement to join and participate in Union Capital. Members move around our Civic Engagement Triangle based on their time, interest, and capacity.
How does Union Capital cultivate community engagement?
We have found that providing an invitation, an incentive, and a connection to information supports overcoming barriers to engagement and accessing resources that are so critical for family prosperity.
The UC mobile app loyalty rewards program aggregates hundreds of cross-sector resources into one searchable calendar, and thousands of members use the tool to find new opportunities, log their engagement in the App, and earn Visa gift card rewards for the time they commit.
Since our founding in 2014, members have collectively invested over 1 million hours into their volunteerism and community building. Their time invested has earned members over $1.8 million in Visa gift card rewards, directly reinvesting in family and community advancement.
The Union Capital App
Network Nights
We host over 100 Network Nights a year (virtual and in person) in both English and Spanish across our neighborhoods in both Boston and Springfield. Network Nights are an open community space where UC Members come together to connect with each other, learn about community organizations and programs, and share resources in a Marketplace exchange, building social capital in real time. The central part of Network Nights are breakout group conversations called Table Talks, hosted by UC leaders and community organizations. To learn more about Table Talks and sign-up to host a Talk at one of our Boston locations, submit our signup form
Network Coordinators
Union Capital Network Coordinators build trust-based relationships with members, connecting them to resources and to each other in order to build a resilient and networked community. They offer the invitation to join our Network, meeting one on one with people, tabling at different community events, and identifying people in their own personal networks who may be interested and could benefit from our model. This model of relationships and rewards is creating a consistent opportunity to engage and build social capital.
We hire and stipend our Network Coordinators from our paying partner institutions to connect with and support their members. We train leaders to host community Network Nights, share resources, and engage in civic actions such as voter registration and turnout, Census completion, and other nonpartisan civic engagement efforts.
Network Coordinators are community residents/resource hubs themselves and offer the invitation that we’ve found essential in engaging folks with busy work schedules and family demands.
Reflections from our Members
“Going [to my first Network Night] I was so nervous, I didn't know what to expect. I started to turn around several times, but once I got there I had the best time. I cannot wait for the next group meeting, thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of this experience.”
— Ethel L., UC Member
“Union Capital makes it easy to network with so many people that whatever you need, you can find a way to get it or do it. UC encourages everyone of us to be leaders.”
— Joann P., UC Member
“[I attended] every financial stability class that Union Capital listed on its app. [I started with] a very low credit score and high rates on my credit cards and car loan. [The knowledge I gained from] being a member has given me lower rates, a 700 score, and a chance to purchase a home.”
— UC Member
"I have gained a different outlook on being involved. I have always been involved, but this gives me a new inspiration.”
— UC Member
Additional Resources
In this podcast episode from Nonprofit Hub Radio, Union Capital founder and Lead Organizer Eric Leslie speaks with host Delaney Mullennix about Social Capital and how to transform communities by engaging in cause work.
Read Eric’s commentaries in The Boston Globe and the Dorchester Reporter about social capital and civic engagement in greater Boston.
What we’ve been up to lately…
