AmeriCorps Continues a New Generation of Evidence Building

A New Generation of Evidence Building

Everything we do at AmeriCorps is driven by a firm conviction that, no matter the challenge, we can face it together. Research, data, and evidence are force-multipliers that take our can-do attitude and belief in the power of service to the next level. A new generation of evidence-building at AmeriCorps is emerging, and it captures the ever-evolving nature of our work and our impact. We will continue to engage community members as critical stakeholders in the learning and evidence ecosystem, and participatory principles of inclusion and equity will continue to guide AmeriCorps’ evidence building activities.

This newsletter offers useful resources and examples of evidence-building at work. I hope you’ll join us for our upcoming webinar featuring the latest national data on civic engagement and volunteering (gathered in partnership with the US Census Bureau). Also, take a look at our recently released Return on Investment studies; these studies provide a targeted lens to help us understand the broad impact of our work, by quantifying impact in dollars and cents. I hope these resources prove valuable in thinking about evidence in your daily work.

In service,
Mary Hyde, Ph.D., Director,
Office of Research and Evaluation

Our New Evidence and Impact Webinar Series

The six-webinar series hosted by the AmeriCorps Office of Research and Evaluation will focus on evidence and impact with our participants, partners in the field, within the agency, and leaders in communities and the nation. Learn more about the webinar series which will explore how a new generation of evidence-building will be used to strengthen community-based organization practices, members and volunteers, local impact, and public trust.

Learn More

Webinar: Taking the Pulse of Our Nation’s Civic Health—and Taking Action for Civic Renewal

Every two years, AmeriCorps partners with the U.S. Census Bureau to conduct the most robust survey about civic engagement across the United States and over time. The data takes the pulse of our nation’s civic health and informs AmeriCorps’ Volunteering and Civic Life in America research, a comprehensive look at how Americans make a difference in their communities and promote the common good.

Join AmeriCorps on Tuesday, Nov. 19, at 3:30 p.m. ET to celebrate the release of our latest data and discuss what it means for our nation’s civic health. A panel of scholars, policymakers, and practitioners will reflect on new findings and actionable insights about how to make volunteering more accessible, promote social connection, and strengthen civic infrastructure.

Register

Civic Engagement and Volunteering Supplement Data, Dashboard and Findings Release

On Tuesday, Nov. 19, AmeriCorps and the U.S. Census Bureau will release the results of the latest Civic Engagement and Volunteering Supplement Data survey. The survey covers volunteering and civic behaviors from September 2022-2023, post COVID-19 pandemic. The data release includes national, state, and large metro area rates of formal volunteering, informal helping, and other civic behaviors that can support evidence-based decision making and efforts to understand how people make a difference in communities across the country. Check in with Volunteering and Civic Life in America and the AmeriCorps Open Data Portal to see the most robust U.S. dataset on volunteering and civic life in AmeriCorps.

Research Grantee Spotlight: Arizona State University

How do community organizations create welcoming spaces for volunteers of diverse backgrounds and identities? 2022 AmeriCorps Research grantee, Arizona State University, is studying how volunteer management practices can improve equitable access for volunteers by surveying and conducting focus groups with professional volunteer administrators with formal and active Certification in Volunteer Administration. The findings will provide guidance to organizations on volunteer management practices and steps to improve equity and inclusion among their volunteer bases.

Learn More About AmeriCorps Research Grantees

AmeriCorps and Veterans

The AmeriCorps commitment to veterans and military families extends across several programs with the goal of supporting a great number of veterans and military family members across the United States. AmeriCorps NCCC work with veterans and military family members focuses on assistance across housing, economic stability, mental health, rehabilitation, and social engagement.

Recently, at the National Wheelchair Games, the largest annual wheelchair sports and rehabilitation event solely for military veterans, AmeriCorps members in the NCCC program supported the event.

Watch the Video

Evidence Exchange: Focus on Veterans

• Report on Veterans and Military Families and the Corporation for National and Community Service
• National/Community Service and Veterans and Military Families: Programs, Evidence, and Possibilities
• Veteran's Legal Corp Program
• Return on Investment Study: Washington State Dept of Veterans Affairs VET Corps

NEW! on the Evidence Exchange

Visit the Evidence Exchange