Research Report Brief

AmeriCorps Alumni 

Pilot Outcomes Study

Office of Research and Evaluation, Corporation for National and Community Service October 2015 

nationalservice.gov/research 1 

What was the research question? 

The purpose of this study was to understand and document long-term 

outcomes for AmeriCorps alumni in four areas: development of careeroriented soft skills, career pathways, sense of community, and civic 

engagement. By comparing results for cohorts of AmeriCorps alumni who 

completed their service in 2012, 2009, and 2004, the study also identified 

outcomes at different life stages.

What did the survey find?

Overall, alumni indicated that there were substantial benefits to 

participation in AmeriCorps programs. 

 A vast majority of alumni stated that they felt they made a 

contribution to the community (92 percent), gained an 

understanding of the community they served (94 percent), and 

were exposed to new ideas and ways of seeing the world (87 

percent). 

 A majority of alumni stated that they were more likely to 

volunteer and to participate in community organizations due to participation in AmeriCorps. 

 80 percent of alumni indicated their service experience was worthwhile in furthering their careers. 

 Nine out of ten alumni agreed or strongly agreed that they enjoyed exploring differences with others 

and interacting with different people, respected others’ values, and were confident interacting with 

diverse people. Alumni reported gains in all these areas compared to before service. 

 Nine out of ten alumni agreed or strongly agreed that they could solve difficult problems, accomplish 

goals, handle unexpected events and 

unforeseen situations, remain calm, and 

identify multiple solutions. Alumni rated 

their current skills as higher than at preservice, with the greatest gains in their 

ability to handle unexpected events and 

unforeseen situations. 

 Almost 80 percent of alumni indicated that 

they definitely or probably had civic selfefficacy, defined as the ability to deal with 

community problems by taking a range of 

actions. 

To access the full report and learn more about CNCS, please visit nationalservice.gov/research. 
Research Report Brief

AmeriCorps Alumni

Pilot Outcomes Study

Office of Research and Evaluation, Corporation for National and Community Service October 2015 

nationalservice.gov/research 2 

Research Methodology1

An online survey was fielded, with follow-up reminders and the option to complete the survey by telephone 

or mail. The survey instrument was based largely on the Member Exit Survey that CNCS administers to all 

members at the completion of their service, and was modified and pilot tested prior to widespread 

administration. The alumni outcomes survey project was a collaboration between the CNCS Office of Research 

and Evaluation and JBS International. Data collection and reporting occurred in spring/summer 2015. The 

project was funded by the Office of Research and Evaluation. 

1 The survey response rate was 20%. The data were weighted using both sampling weights and nonresponse weights across programs and years so the 

reported frequencies correspond to a nationally representative sample of alumni across the sampled cohorts and programs.

e 

Since the program’s founding in 1994, more than 900,000 AmeriCorps members have contributed more than 1.2 billion hours in service across 

America while tackling pressing problems and mobilizing millions of volunteers for the organizations they serve.

Survey At-a-Glance

Study Design: Nationally representative 

survey 

Study Population: AmeriCorps State and 

National, AmeriCorps NCCC, and 

AmeriCorps VISTA alumni from three 

cohorts who finished serving in 2004, 2009, 

and 2012

Research Partner: JBS International 

Sample Size: 1468 useable responses 

Note: Respondents were asked to select all that apply.

How is CNCS using the findings to improve? 

CNCS is engaged in a second alumni outcomes study, building upon what was learned through this project. 

The new project will use innovative methods to attempt to increase survey response rates and will also explor

possibilities for utilizing administrative data sets as an alternative means to assess alumni outcomes. CNCS 

will share the survey instrument and results with programs that are conducting their own alumni research to 

ensure that efforts are aligned and complementary. Finally, CNCS will continue to encourage AmeriCorps 

alumni to update their contact information through the Member Portal so that the agency can reach out to 

former members and stay in touch. 

The content of this brief was drawn from the full research report submitted to CNCS by JBS International. The brief was written by staff in the 

Office of Research and Evaluation at CNCS. All original content from the report is attributable to its authors.

AmeriCorps engages more than 75,000 Americans in intensive service each year at nonprofits, schools, public agencies, and community and 

faith-based groups across the country. Since the program’s founding in 1994, more than 900,000 AmeriCorps members have contributed more 

than 1.2 billion hours in service across America while tackling pressing problems and mobilizing millions of volunteers for the organizations they 

serve.