IntroductionSocial capital plays a role in community development and economic development. Through grants, the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation supports research on issues related to poverty. In 1996, the Mott Foundation awarded two grants in hopes of refining and reorienting the approach to community development. First, a grant was awarded to Robert Putnam to lead scholars, advocates, and practitioners in exploring ways to generate social capital and ultimately strengthen civil society. Second, another grant was awarded to the National Civic League (NCL) to teach community organizations how to conduct their own assessments. This position paper examines the perspectives of academicians, advocates, granting agencies, and practitioners on social capital and its role in community development found in the two essays by Wallis (1998) and Wallis, Crocker, and Schetcher ( 1998). Although there appears to be no consensus on its meaning and importance, social capital is a concept that frames policy debate and reorients practice. Research Questions and Methodology To answer the research question about how each of these perspectives views social capital and its role in community building, two data collection methods were used. Literature reviews were conducted, including position papers and annual reports. Interviews were also conducted with advocates, 28 funders from 16 national foundations, and practitioners from organizations that have worked alongside the NCL. Results and conclusion The first point of view is that of an academician (Wallis, Crocker and Schechter, 1998). They are appointed to the university and develop and test theories through empirical studies. The essay focuses on Robert Putnam's publication titled Maki...... middle of article ......g efforts that can be seen as mutual learning between all stakeholders in the processes. It merges these four perspectives and enables the development of social capital. Five characteristics of empowerment assessment are: values-based, participatory, collaborative, integrative, and reflective (Wallis, 1998). In summary, the formation of social capital is a step toward civil society that is achieved when these four perspectives come together in community-building networks. Works Cited Moore, M. (1988). What kinds of ideas become public ideas? In R. Reich (ed.), The Power of Public Ideas. Cambridge, MA: Ballinger. Wallis, A., Crocker, J.P., & Schechter, B. (1998). Social capital and community development: part one. National Civic Review, 83(3), 253-71.Wallis, A. (1998). Social capital and community development: part two. National Civic Review, 87(4), 317-36.