Impact of Volunteer Literacy Programs

LVA’s Economic Impact Analysis

At the Literacy Volunteers of America (LVA) Conference held in Nashville during November 1999, a report on an Economic Impact Analysis prepared by A. T. Kearney was presented. This project was undertaken to determine the economic value that LVA services provide to society. The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the economic impact of each dollar invested in LVA. To accomplish the objective, an analysis of LVA’s cost structure, program offerings and student outcomes was completed.

The project’s findings indicate that LVA has made a highly positive impact on its students. The key findings include:

• For every dollar that is spent by LVA, the value created to the overall economy is a multiple of approximately 11 and ranges from 5 to 41

• Tutors further improve the multiple to 33 by donating their time and the range improves to 15 to 125

• Overall, students are very satisfied with the economic improvements they have realized and with the quality of instruction at LVA

• Students have also experienced significant improvements in their basic roles as parents, citizens, and workers

• Students have experienced significant increases in job satisfaction, as well as in their ability to obtain and maintain jobs, as a result of LVA assistance

These findings reflect results gathered from a sample which was then extrapolated to the national level. Although this does not necessarily correlate to everyone’s individual programs on the local level, it does provide statistical evidence that shows how important and economically valuable volunteer tutoring programs can be.

Page last updated 30-Sep-2009  
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