U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
        Here’s how you know
    Goverment symbol**Official websites use .gov**
            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
        Lock symbol**Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
            A lock (
              A locked padlock
                 ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive
              information only on official, secure websites.
 Skip to main content JoinDonate
    About
    About
          About
        
About menu block one
  

        
        What We Do
                Our Impact
                Agency FAQs
About menu block two
  

        
        Our Team
                Careers
About menu block three
  

        
        Agency Overview
                            Budget and Performance Plans
                Disability and Accessibility
                Federal Register Notices
                Open Government
                Plain Writing
                Privacy Policy
                Strategic Plan

  

  
Serve
    Serve
          Serve
        
Serve menu block one
  

        
        AmeriCorps
                            AmeriCorps NCCC
                AmeriCorps State and National
                AmeriCorps VISTA
                AmeriCorps Seniors
                            AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent Program
                AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP
                AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion Program
Serve menu block two
  

        
        Volunteer
                            9/11 Day
                MLK Day
Serve menu block three
  

        
        Find Your Fit
                Serve FAQs

  

  
Partner
    Partner
          Partner
        
Partner menu block one
  

        
        How it Works
                            AmeriCorps NCCC
                AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent
                AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP
                AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion
                AmeriCorps State and National
                AmeriCorps VISTA
                Research and Evaluation
                Volunteer Generation Fund
Partner menu block two
  

        
        Partnerships
                Communities and Initiatives
                Funding Opportunities
Partner menu block three
  

        
        Partner FAQs

  

  
Members & Volunteers
    Members & Volunteers
          Members & Volunteers
        
Members & Volunteers menu block one
  

        
        Your Benefits
                Segal AmeriCorps Education Award
                Education Award FAQs
Members & Volunteers menu block two
  

        
        Alumni
                Members in VISTA
Members & Volunteers menu block three
  

        
        Member and Volunteer FAQs
                Safety and Security

  

  
Grantees & Sponsors
    Grantees & Sponsors
          Grantees & Sponsors
        
Grantee & Sponsors menu block one
  

        
        State Service Commissions
                State and National Direct Grantees
                State Subgrantees
                VISTA Sponsors
                Research and Evaluation Grantees
                Volunteer Generation Fund and Days of Service Grantees
Grantee & Sponsors menu block two
  

        
        RSVP Grantees
                Foster Grandparent Program Grantees
                Senior Companion Program Grantees
                Senior Demonstration Program Grantees
                NCCC Project Sponsors
Grantee & Sponsors menu block three
  

        
        Manage Your Grant
                Grantee and Sponsor FAQs

  

  
Newsroom
    Newsroom
          Newsroom
        
Newsroom menu block one
  

        
        News
                Blog
Newsroom menu block two
  

        
        Stories
                Events
Newsroom menu block three
  

        
        In the News
                Communication Resources



  
Contact
    Contact
    JoinDonate
search Breadcrumb
    Newsroom

              Study Finds AmeriCorps College Preparation Program Returns Up to $55 per Dollar Invested
      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:Nov 02, 2022
  

                    *National service reports higher graduation rates for program participants and decreased government spending on corrections and public assistance*

WASHINGTON, DC— AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, released today a **return-on-investment study** that measured the value of federal funding invested in education focused programs. The study found **Breakthrough Central Texas****,** an AmeriCorps national college preparation program for low-income middle school students, returns as much as $54.56 of value to the government and communities for every federal dollar invested.

ROI analyses help measure program performance and build the base of evidence for future resource decisions by estimating the monetary value of benefits that a program generates per dollar invested. The total benefits are driven by favorable employment and education opportunities for AmeriCorps members following their service and reduced unemployment.

“AmeriCorps members in programs like Breakthrough Central Texas serve not only as caseworkers but also as mentors and support for our teachers,” **said Michael D. Smith, AmeriCorps CEO**. “They open the door to possibilities for children who otherwise would have limited access to opportunities, and they demonstrate the power of strengthening community and connections with students. Additionally, these programs provide value to our members who experience career growth and education opportunities after their service year.”

Breakthrough Central Texas programs offer out-of-school learning opportunities and help students overcome systemic, societal barriers to earning college degrees. AmeriCorps members serve as caseworkers, providing academic support, guidance and resources students need to succeed. The program commits to working with each student for 12 years to guide them and their families through the complex process of preparing for, enrolling in and completing college.

Key benefits of Breakthrough Central Texas include:

Growth in high school and college graduates among program participants
	Increased post-service earnings by AmeriCorps members
	Increased tax revenue for government
	Reduced lifetime spending on corrections, public assistance and social insuranceAmeriCorps provides funding, people power and resources to support **education-related projects**. More than 12,000 schools across the country are leveraging national service programs to assist them in these areas and many others. Approximately 65,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers are providing cost-effective, high-impact services to address schools’ most pressing needs and ensure that all students are ready for college, careers and full participation in civic life. National service programs support schools in urban and rural areas, schools with large low-income populations, traditional public schools, public charter schools and schools with large minority and multilingual populations.

AmeriCorps was recognized for outstanding performance in the **Results for America’s 2021 Invest in What Works Federal Standard of Excellence**, a report that measures agencies data-driven decision-making to improve the impact of federal investments. Specifically, AmeriCorps was highlighted for the agency’s use of data and evidence to increase the impact of national service grants in more than 40,000 locations to make government investment as effective and efficient as possible.
              AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the agency places more than 250,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in intensive service roles; and empowers millions more to serve as long-term, short-term, or one-time volunteers.

AmeriCorps offers opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds to be a part of the national service community, grow personally and professionally, and receive benefits for their service. Learn how to get involved at **AmeriCorps.gov/serve**. Back to main content Sign up to hear about our latest news, events, and opportunities.
  Sign up for our newsletter
    Footer about
  

        
        About
                            What We Do
                Our Impact
                Our Team
                Careers
                Agency OverviewFooter serve
  

        
        Serve
                            AmeriCorps
                AmeriCorps Seniors
                Volunteer
                Find Your FitFooter partner
  

        
        Partner
                            How it Works
                Funding OpportunitiesFooter Members & Volunteers
  

        
        Members & Volunteers
                            Your Benefits
                Segal AmeriCorps Education Award
                Alumni
                Safety and SecurityFooter grantees & sponsors
  

        
        Grantees & Sponsors
                            eGrants
                History Checks
                LitmosFooter newsroom
  

        
        Newsroom
                            News
                Blog
                Stories
                Events
                In the News
                Communication Resources
      Bringing Americans together to serve communities

Follow us
  
  1-800-942-2677
            
    help@americorps.gov
    USA.gov / Office of Inspector General / FOIA and Privacy Act / Federal Register notices / No FEAR Act/ Employee Whistleblower Rights / Contractor and Grantee Whistleblower Rights / Office of Special Counsel / STOCK Act / Fraud Alert

Accessibility / Privacy policy / Site map / Donate / Join

**AmeriCorps.gov**
An official website of AmeriCorps. Produced and published at taxpayer expense. 
 You are leaving AmeriCorps.gov
 The website you’re going to is not part of the AmeriCorps domain and may not be under AmeriCorps’ control. Its privacy and security practices and policies may differ from AmeriCorps’. AmeriCorps is not responsible for the link, nor does it endorse the content of the third-party website. Click on the continue button to proceed to the external website; otherwise click cancel to stay on AmeriCorps.gov.
 Cancel Continue