Profile of AmeriCorps NCCC Members at the Start of Service

This report describes initial findings from a national evaluation of how AmeriCorps’ National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) seeks to promote leadership skills and qualities among members. With data from a baseline survey administered between January 2020 and April 2021, this report details characteristics of a sample of NCCC members at the time they began their service. Data were also collected from a matched comparison group of candidates who applied and were later invited to serve with NCCC, but who did not accept.

Key Findings Include:

• About half of the NCCC members were female, and 2 percent described themselves as non-binary.
• Fifty-five percent of NCCC members were White, 26 percent Hispanic or Latino, 9 percent Black or African American, 5 percent more than one race, 4 percent Asian, 1 percent American Indian or Alaskan Native, and less than 1 percent Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander.
• Over 95 percent of NCCC members had at least a high school diploma or GED and 32 percent had a bachelor’s degree.
• In the six months prior to service, NCCC members worked in the private sector (29 percent), in the food preparation and service industry (28 percent), or attended college (35 percent). About 18 percent of NCCC members served in the military prior to service.
• Prior to service, NCCC members were comparable on some leadership measures but showed some differences from the comparison group. Relative to the comparison group cases:
  • A lower proportion of NCCC members exhibited confidence in their professional skills and ability to solve problems.
  • A lower proportion of NCCC members reported being civically engaged in their community.
  • NCCC members reported similar levels of communication skills, tolerance, and appreciation for diversity.

Subsequent reports of this evaluation will examine changes in leadership skills for NCCC members from before and after service, and differences between NCCC members and the comparison group.