The Institute for Social Capital, Inc. was founded by the UNC Charlotte Foundation in 2004 and merged with the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute in March 2012. Its mission is to provide social resources that advance University research and increase the community’s capacity for data-based planning and evaluation.

At its core is a comprehensive set of social and human data gathered from several public and nonprofit organizations in the region. By combining data from agencies such as Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Department and the Department of Social Services, ISC provides a vehicle for analysis and research for the community and within the University. 

Through its affiliation with UNC Charlotte and the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute, ISC also offers valuable analytical support to assist organizations in their research and data analyses efforts. 

One of the most significant struggles facing researchers and social service organizations is the diffusion of human and social data.  Reliable data gathered from significant social service and nonprofit agencies are needed to understand the effects of relevant initiatives on planning services, program evaluations and public policy. However, such information is rarely shared across sources, limiting an organization’s ability to effectively measure outcomes.

By combining key sources of data into one community database, ISC provides a valuable resource to assess the impact of specific interventions across agency lines and to better understand the social and environmental variables that affect the community, particularly with regard to outcomes for children and families.

The ISC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to maintaining the confidentiality of these crucial data.