What's New
Jim Casey Investment Yields an 'Extremely Impressive' 6.5:1 Return
A new report says that the investment of funds by the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative in its demonstration sites has yielded an "extremely impressive return." In a report supported by the Initiative, the Cornerstone Consulting Group says that the Initiative's $3.9 million investment in its sites during the most recent program year yielded at least an additional $25 million. "For each Jim Casey dollar invested, sites have garnered in excess of $6.50," the report says.
The $25 million estimate includes permanent changes in Medicaid eligibility regulations, service availability and university tuition assistance. "Thus, a time-limited investment by the Initiative will bring forth long term and repeated results for years to come, continuing to pay dividends long after Jim Casey grants have been discontinued," the report says.
The analysis notes that this calculation tremendously underestimates the real leverage impact in these sites. The Jim Casey effort in the sites has contributed to substantial changes in the allocation of public funds, and these additional revenues will continue and, in some cases, expand in the future. While public dollars represent the largest share of leverage, the sites also have attracted considerable private funds as well from the United Way, local foundations, and others. The new report stems from an effort the Initiative began in late 2006 to measure the greatest possible impact its grant-making had. This report only examined the financial leverage, and yet the Initiative "has had considerable influence on how services and assistance to youth are delivered. The Initiative's investment of time, expertise, vision and money has caused, enhanced or accelerated changes in awareness and perceptions about aging-out youth and the services and supports they need to be successful," the report says. For more information, view the report (PDF, 451KB).
