Office of Research 

and Evaluation 

The Office of Research and Evaluation (ORE) furthers the AmeriCorps mission by producing 

accurate and timely research on national service, social innovation, volunteering, and 

civic engagement. We conduct original and sponsored research and evaluations, support 

evaluations of grantees’ research and programs, and promote evidence-based service 

models – all of which infuse data into AmeriCorps programs and contribute to the public’s 

understanding of national service. Our efforts widely impact AmeriCorps activities across the 

board by contributing to the four major mission areas listed below.

Identifying National Service Trends

AmeriCorps programs such as VISTA, NCCC, AmeriCorps State & National, and AmeriCorps Seniors 

rely on an active, engaged member base. AmeriCorps surveys members to inform recruitment 

and improve member experience. ORE uses the survey responses to identify trends in program 

membership and member motivations, and to gain a better understanding of members’ growth 

areas and post-service plans. At the same time, ORE also records volunteer efforts statewide to 

track the civic health of states and local communities, which can inform decisions about which 

issues to tackle through service and volunteering.

Supporting AmeriCorps Programs and Advancing Scholarship

ORE assists AmeriCorps in advancing its programs by 

conducting firsthand research and supporting grantee 

evaluations that follow the evidence continuum. 

ORE also provides research grants to institutions of 

higher education to advance the cumulative body 

of evidence on civic engagement, volunteering, and 

national service. This cumulative body of evidence 

enables AmeriCorps and its grantees to measure the 

performance of their programs and help them identify 

areas of improvement. This model features progressive 

evaluation across every phase of a program’s life 

cycle. For grantees new to program evaluation, ORE 

provides resources and technical assistance to help 

them navigate each stage of evaluation and create 

a thorough plan. This also enables AmeriCorps to 

support and strengthen its programs.

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Learn More About ORE

For more information about the 

Office of Research and Evaluation, 

its resources and reports, and to 

see what’s new, visit the website at 

americorps.gov/research-evaluation. 

To stay current on the latest ORE 

activities and updates, subscribe to 

the newsletter at americorps.gov/

researchnewsletter.

Office of Research and Evaluation 

Measuring National Service Impact

ORE’s research and evaluation demonstrates how AmeriCorps national service programs 

benefit communities and the members who serve – both quantitatively and qualitatively. From 

a program standpoint, ORE evidence offers a measurable impact of volunteering and helps 

reinforce the value of those 

programs, as well as shows 

how volunteers themselves 

benefit from AmeriCorps 

programs. AmeriCorps uses 

these program effectiveness 

measures to provide grants that 

train and deploy workers, build 

infrastructure, educate children, 

and improve health.

Promoting National Service Program Expansion

By expanding the body of evidence and infusing data into the program life cycle, ORE promotes 

more informed decision making that helps AmeriCorps determine which programs can be 

replicated and scaled, resulting in more efficient and effective programs deployed nationwide. 

AmeriCorps also shares ORE’s evidence with the federal government, non-governmental 

organizations, and other stakeholders to enhance their understanding of AmeriCorps programs 

and volunteering in general. Those entities rely on ORE’s evidence to inform legislation, change 

perceptions, and grow the passion for volunteerism and service.

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