FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov 14, 2024

AmeriCorps publishes three reports analyzing ROI which reveal short, medium and long-term benefits

WASHINGTON, DC—AmeriCorps, the agency for national service and volunteerism, published three new reports analyzing the return on investment for the Minnesota Alliance with Youth’s Promise Fellow program, Homeless and Housing Coalition of Kentucky’s Homes for All program, and AmeriCorps NCCC’s Weatherization Projects. Each study found significant ROI driven by improved outcomes for AmeriCorps members and program participants as well as reduced cost for government at the state and federal level. 

“When America calls, AmeriCorps answers,” said Michael D. Smith, CEO, AmeriCorps. “The research shows -- time and time again -- the greatest investment our nation can make is in the American people. As we look to the future, we are committed to ensuring our national service grants bring value to our communities.”

The studies examined a variety of common factors to derive potential ROI, including wages for AmeriCorps members, and increased state and federal tax revenue from those wages.

They also explored program specific factors, like income gains by Promise Fellow students due to higher educational attainment, and energy cost savings for homes included in AmeriCorps NCCC Weatherization projects.

AmeriCorps members serving with the Minnesota Alliance with Youth’s Promise Fellow program prevented school dropout through targeted support of middle and high school students at risk of school disengagement, improving student attendance and work completion. The ROI analysis estimated the Promise Fellow program’s ROI to be between $0.11 and $3.60 per funder dollar, and between $0.18 and $6.06 per federal dollar.

"We have always known that our AmeriCorps Promise Fellow program has a powerful impact on both the students and the members who serve,” said Jim Davnie, Executive Director, Minnesota Alliance With Youth. “I am pleased with the strong medium and long-term return on investment that the study found and look forward to expanding our work to serve more young people in Minnesota."

Homeless and Housing Coalition of Kentucky’s Homes for All program provides housing-related services to individuals and families across Kentucky who are experiencing homelessness or are in search of affordable homeownership opportunities. Homes for All AmeriCorps members serve at nonprofit organizations, public agencies and government institutions, working in a variety of ways to serve people at risk of or currently experiencing homelessness. The ROI analysis estimated the Homeless and Housing Coalition of Kentucky's Homes for All program’s ROI to be between $3.14 and $8.68 per funder dollar, and between $3.85 and $10.65 per federal dollar. 

"The Homeless and Housing Coalition of Kentucky is proud of our Homes for All AmeriCorps program, where members serve the housing needs of their communities across the state," said Adrienne Bush, Executive Director, Homeless and Housing Coalition of Kentucky. “Policymakers at all levels of government want to fund effective program models with strong Return on Investment metrics, and this study indicates that Homes for All is a smart investment for the federal government, states, and communities seeking to address housing insecurity.”

AmeriCorps NCCC is a full-time, team-based program that works to meet various community needs across the country. This analysis focuses on the home weatherization efforts of AmeriCorps members serving with NCCC. Weatherization increases the energy efficiency of homes, producing environmental, economic, and health benefits for households and society. The ROI Analysis estimated strong returns of $2.26 and $7.60 for the medium and long-term scenarios for the total benefits per federal dollar.

“We are thrilled to receive the findings from AmeriCorps' Office of Research and Evaluation regarding the high return on investment generated by the program’s work in weatherization projects,” said Ken Goodson, Director, AmeriCorps NCCC. “Saving families money on utility bills, creating more energy efficient homes, and providing AmeriCorps members with new skills all align closely with our service mission. We thank our colleagues in the Office of Research and Evaluation for their objectivity in researching this issue and for their partnership in strengthening national service programs through such studies.”

AmeriCorps members in the NCCC program are 18-26-year-olds who serve in teams that are mobilized to meet our nation’s greatest needs. Once deployed, teams live in the communities they serve to better understand the community, participate in service-learning, and build leadership and life skills. They respond to disasters, care for our environment, and complete critical community enhancement and infrastructure projects.

AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the agency places more than 200,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in intensive service roles; and empowers millions more to serve as long-term, short-term, or one-time volunteers. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.

AmeriCorps offers opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds to be a part of the national service community, grow personally and professionally, and receive benefits for their service. Learn how to get involved at AmeriCorps.gov/Serve.