The Foundation’s emphasis on building partnerships is based on its conviction that “two heads are better than one.” Communities benefit in two ways when individuals, groups, institutions, and government officials discuss common problems and opportunities. First, when partners share information and experience they build capacity and become more productive. Second, working together generates mutual trust and increases cooperative networking. Such “trust-based action” is called “social capital.”
Communities with high social capital are vibrant, prosperous, marked by cultural and economic achievement. Conversely, low social capital results in stagnation, lack of cooperation, and low productivity. Forming partnerships, then, is central to the Foundation’s mission for two reasons: one, partners become more creative and effective when learning and working together, and two, such collaboration fosters social capital which makes communities flourish.