Practical Evaluation Resources for AmeriCorps Programs
These tools are designed for AmeriCorps program staff, evaluators, and commission staff who need practical, compliant evaluation support—without overbuilding or overcomplicating. Use them as stand-alone guides, training supplements, or conversation starters with your team or evaluator.
New resources will be added over time as programs request support in specific areas.
Section 1: Getting Started with AmeriCorps Evaluation
Click on resource cover image to download a copy to use.
Best for: New staff, new programs, or anyone who needs a plain-language overview
Use this when: You’re trying to understand evaluation requirements before deciding what to build
Best for: AmeriCorps staff that want a simple, practical way to understand different types of evaluation
Use when: You’re deciding what kind of evaluation makes sense or explaining options to staff, partners, or leadership.
Best for: State Commission and AmeriCorps State and National staff that to understand evaluation changes for FY26
Use when: You’re developing a recompete application for competitive funding or are ia formula program n a state that requires evaluation
Section 2: Evaluation Planning & Design
Best for: Programs that need help focusing their evaluation.
Use this when: You’re unsure what questions to ask or want examples of strong, AmeriCorps-aligned evaluation questions.
Section 3: Collecting and Making Sense of Your Data
Best for:
Programs focused on capacity building and organizational improvement.
Use this when:
You need practical guidance on selecting and measuring realistic capacity-building indicators.
Want Help Applying Any of These?
If you’d like help choosing, adapting, or applying these tools to your program or portfolio, I’m happy to talk it through.
Many of these tools are used in my AmeriCorps trainings and evaluation support engagements nationwide.