What Foundation for Social Connection does

The Foundation for Social Connection (F4SC) is a Washington, DC-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2020 to advance social connection as a public health and societal priority. Its core offering is the SOCIAL Framework (Systems Of Cross-sector Integration and Action across the Lifespan), a theoretical roadmap developed with a Scientific Leadership Council of academic researchers that spans six societal domains: Health, Education, Work/Employment, Built Environment, Food/Nutrition, and Arts/Culture/Leisure. The Foundation supports this framework with an operational stack of free, openly available resources including the US SILC Ecosystem Map (an interactive visualization of 60+ entities across the U.S. social isolation, loneliness, and connection field), the State of the US Ecosystem Report, a Social Connection Measurement Tools Inventory covering 55+ measures, a SILC Intervention Catalog, and an Action Guide for Building Socially Connected Communities. It runs an annual Social Connection Conference (2025 held in Atlanta) plus an Ambassador Program and weekly newsletter, and convenes cross-sector partnerships across government (Office of the Surgeon General, CDC, VA, CMS), healthcare (United Healthcare), philanthropy (AARP, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Kresge, Hartford, Einhorn), and consumer brands (Hinge, Cigna, Coca-Cola, Beiersdorf).

Name

Foundation for Social Connection

Legal name

Foundation for Social Connection

Website

https://social-connection.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Foundation for Social Connection is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that researches, convenes, and advocates to strengthen social connection across U.S. health, education, and community systems through the SOCIAL Framework and ecosystem-wide resources.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Connection Research and Advocacy

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Social Assistance (624), Civic and Social Organizations (81341), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Charities & Grantmaking Intermediaries (BPAGAKAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Interest-Based Communities & Forums (BPAMABAC), Social Justice & Human Rights Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAN)

Keywords

• Social isolation research
• Loneliness prevention
• Community health initiatives
• Public health advocacy
• Social connection frameworks

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The Foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 86-1322969) funded primarily through donations. They accept charitable contributions and partner with philanthropies for their programs.
2. Partnership and Sponsorship Revenue: The Foundation generates revenue through partnerships with corporations and foundations, including signature event sponsorships and collaborative funding for specific programs and initiatives.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Foundation for Social Connection is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that produces research, frameworks, measurement tools, and convenes multi-sector events to advance understanding and action on social isolation, loneliness, and connection (SILC). It develops standardized resources such as ecosystem maps, intervention catalogs, and action guides used by researchers, policymakers, practitioners, funders, and health systems.

Product overview

The Foundation for Social Connection is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that offers a portfolio of research frameworks, interactive tools, measurement resources, and signature events to advance social connection nationwide. The core offering is the SOCIAL Framework—a multi-sector systems approach covering health, education, work/employment, built environment, food/nutrition, and arts/culture/leisure sectors. This framework is supported by the US SILC Ecosystem Map (interactive visualization tool) and State of the US Ecosystem Report. Additional products include the Action Guide for Building Socially Connected Communities, Social Connection Measurement Tools Inventory (55+ measures), SILC Intervention Catalog, The Roadmap on Social Capital Infrastructure, and an interactive microsite on Generative AI and Youth Social Connection. The organization also runs an Ambassador Program for storytelling, publishes The Weekly Connect newsletter, and hosts the annual Social Connection Conference and Action Forum events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SOCIAL Framework: Systems Of Cross-sector Integration and Action across the Lifespan - a framework developed to facilitate and accelerate progress toward a society that values social connectedness across the lifespan and in all societal domains.

Products and services

• US SILC Ecosystem Map Interactive mapping tool that visualizes the U.S. social isolation, loneliness, and connection (SILC) ecosystem, identifying actors, programs, and resources across the field.
• State of the US Ecosystem Report Comprehensive research report assessing the current state of the U.S. social isolation, loneliness, and connection ecosystem.
• SOCIAL Framework Standardized framework that defines the core domains and dimensions needed to assess and advance social connection across communities.
• Action Guide for Building Socially Connected Communities Practical guide that equips local leaders and practitioners with steps to build more socially connected communities.
• Social Connection Measurement Tools Inventory Inventory cataloging validated measurement instruments for assessing social isolation, loneliness, and connection.
• SILC Intervention Catalog Catalog documenting evidence-based interventions targeting social isolation, loneliness, and connection across populations and settings.
• The Roadmap: Reimagining Infrastructure to Improve Social Capital Strategic roadmap outlining infrastructure-level changes required to strengthen social capital and community connection.
• Navigating Generative AI and Youth Social Connection Through Intergenerational Conversation Microsite resource addressing the impact of generative AI on youth social connection and the role of intergenerational dialogue.
• Social Connection Conference Annual signature convening that brings together researchers, practitioners, funders, and policymakers to advance the social connection field.
• Action Forum Annual series of action-oriented workshops designed to translate research into field-level implementation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Dr. Holt-Lunstad's research established that lacking social connection is a major risk factor for premature mortality—comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, key and minor.

• Global Initiative on Loneliness and Connection (GILC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020GILC was formed in Summer 2020 amid the global COVID-19 crisis. It is comprised of 14 national organizations committed to ending loneliness and social isolation. The Foundation co-chairs GILC and supports dissemination of system-wide national approaches to build social connection.
• Healthy Places by DesigncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership bridging community and national efforts to catalyze movements across the country. Together they equip local leaders with resources to build socially connected communities and challenge systems to prioritize health and well-being. They co-host the annual Action Forum and Social Connection Conference.
• Office of the Surgeon GeneralcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 2023, the Surgeon General officially declared loneliness a public health epidemic. Foundation SLC Chair Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad served as Lead Scientific Editor of the Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection. Foundation staff and SLC members contributed as Advisory reviewers.
• Commit to ConnectkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerCross-sector initiative sponsored by the Administration for Community Living (ACL). The Foundation serves as advisors, with SLC providing a framework to assess programs and technological solutions. The Nationwide Network of Champions serves as local awareness, action, and advocacy champions.
• Foundation for Social Connection Action NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe affiliate 501(c)(4) organization develops and advocates for federal policy solutions to address the epidemic of social isolation and loneliness. The Scientific Leadership Council provides scientific recommendations on key initiatives and policy priorities.
• HingekeyGTM or Marketing PartnerHinge's One More Hour initiative aims to mobilize young adults to add more in-person connection. The program provided grants totaling $1M to social groups and organizations addressing loneliness and helping Gen Z find belonging. The Foundation supported grant development, shared evidence-based resources, and uplifted the initiative.
• Young FutureskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership launched a $1 million open funding call to support emerging nonprofits promoting social connection, teen belonging, and well-being in a tech-driven world. The Foundation worked with the team to identify promising, evidence-informed organizations focused on building social connection for youth.
• Archewell FoundationkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerTwo initiatives: (1) Healing Through Connection - supporting a network for parents impacted by online harm, with Foundation developing measurement and evaluation frameworks. (2) The Welcome Project - supporting women-led programming for resettled Afghan women, with 11 active projects across the US.
• The Samuel Centre for Social ConnectednessminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to develop the Social Connection Measurement Tools Inventory, housing information on 55+ measures including target demographics, methods of measurement, and psychometric properties.
• Building HminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation advisory members worked with Building H on ways the Building H Index can evaluate the influence of products and services on social connection. The index assesses and ranks company products and services across health-related behaviors.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCDC statistician Juan Albertorio-Diaz serves as Vice Chair of the Health Sector report. Foundation collaborates with CDC on social connection research and measurement.
• United HealthcarekeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to build and deploy a strategic playbook on social connectedness with plan leaders across the enterprise, developing innovative programs addressing social isolation, loneliness, and social connection.
• BeiersdorfminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner participating in The Corporate Call to Connection session at the 2025 Social Connection Conference.
• The Cigna GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner participating in The Corporate Call to Connection session at the 2025 Social Connection Conference.
• Coca-ColaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner participating in The Corporate Call to Connection session at the 2025 Social Connection Conference.
• SocialRx (formerly Art Pharmacy)keyStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial prescribing company working with partners in healthcare, education, and workforce management to address mental health and loneliness crises. Founder Chris Appleton serves on F4SC Board.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Healthy Places by Design: National nonprofit working at the intersection of place, community design, and health — co-hosts F4SC's Action Forum and Social Connection Conference and shares the cross-sector, community-led approach to social connection.
• Coalition to End Social Isolation and Loneliness (CESIL): Independent national coalition organized around social isolation and loneliness policy and practice — overlaps F4SC's mission on federal advocacy, research translation, and cross-sector convening, with several shared board members including Linsey Morrison.
• The Aspen Institute (Weave: The Social Fabric Project): Aspen Institute initiative fostering community trust and connection across the U.S. — closely comparable to F4SC's social connection work, and the prior employer of F4SC's Program Director of Research and Practice.
• National Council on Aging (NCOA): Major national aging-focused nonprofit running programs on social isolation, falls prevention, and economic security — directly comparable in operating model (programs, convenings, policy) and overlapping in social connection work for older adults.
• Einhorn Collaborative: Family foundation funding and operating programs on belonging and social connection — major F4SC funder and partner on the Action Guide and Action Forum, with overlapping practice in field-building.
• Commit to Connect (Administration for Community Living): ACL-sponsored cross-sector initiative addressing social isolation — F4SC serves as an advisor and provides framework support, making it a peer in national coordination, awareness, and ecosystem mapping.
• Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness: Canadian research and policy organization advancing social connectedness measurement and practice — co-developer of F4SC's Measurement Tools Inventory and a near-twin in mission, scope, and approach.

Emerging players

• Mental Health America: Nation's oldest community-based mental health nonprofit — overlapping with F4SC in advocacy, screening tools, and public education around loneliness as a mental health determinant, with a broader but adjacent scope.

Broad incumbents

• AARP Foundation: Large charitable arm of AARP running Connect2Affect and other social isolation programs; a major funder of F4SC and direct competitor in national convening on aging-related loneliness, but with vastly greater resources and reach.
• Harvard Human Flourishing Program: Harvard-affiliated research and practice program on human flourishing — co-developer of F4SC's Action Guide and overlapping in research translation, measurement, and convening, but operating with significantly larger academic infrastructure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/fdn4sociconnect
• Facebookfacebook.com/FoundationforSocialConnection
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/foundation-for-social-connection
• Instagraminstagram.com/fdn4socialconnection
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCdQw，双引号此处有误/UC7X

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Foundation for Social Connection