Return on Investment Studies: Estimating the Return on AmeriCorps-Supported Programs

Welcome and Introductory Remarks: Lily Zandniapour, Ph.D., Research and Evaluation Manager, AmeriCorps/ORE

Presenters: Janet Pershing, Ph.D., Vice President, Housing & Community Development at ICF

Abstract:
Return on investment (ROI) analyses help AmeriCorps build the base of evidence in support of national service and AmeriCorps-supported programs. The Office of Research and Evaluation (ORE) uses this rigorous method of comparing program benefits to program costs to calculate the return on a dollar invested in a supported program. ROI analyses position AmeriCorps to:

• Communicate the value of programs to all stakeholders.
• Inform investment and policy decisions.
• Identify and justify recommendations for changes to programs that may enhance results.
• Lead the field forward by modeling how program operators and funders can quantify the return of programs.

This recorded webinar will:

• Define ROI and review ROI research on national service programs.
• Review an ROI case study: Community Technology Empowerment Program.
• Consider how to build the foundation for an ROI study.
• Consider how to identify ROI-ready programs.

Closing Remarks: Lily Zandniapour, Ph.D., Research and Evaluation Manager, AmeriCorps/ORE

Webinar Materials

Webinar Slides 

Webinar Recording – Part 1

Webinar Recording – Part 2

Webinar Transcript