You need to sell the value of your program to your institution. The state of the field is such that lifelong learning programs can “future-proof your program” when you both demonstrate your value to your institution and to the community.
The key to demonstrating your value is to provide numbers on your financial contributions. Unfortunately, sweeping mission statements, goals and people served are not as highly regarded right now as hard dollar figures.
Fortunately, LERN leaders working with LERN staff have discovered and measured a number of additional financial contributions you make, in addition to your “bottom line.” Some of those additional financial contributions are worth more than your bottom line.
Community Programs
LERN members in programs such as recreation departments, community education in public schools, and community colleges have so far found these financial contributions of high value:
*The value of passing local referendums to your institution;
*Economic growth of entrepreneurial and small businesses for your community;
*Income from out-of-district participants;
*Retaining residents of older adults in the community;
*Retention of employees for the greater institution.
Continuing Education
Members in universities and community colleges have found these newly discovered financial contributions:
*Generating credit students from noncredit students;
*Alumni donations from noncredit students;
*Kids or Pre-College summer programs impact on increasing full time degree students.
LERN Members
A few of the LERN members leading the discovering and measuring of these financial contributions include Laura Stevens, Traverse City, MI; Shannon Bryant, St. Paul, MN; Amy Lasack, Dubuque, IA; Gary Girard, Omaha, NE; Scott Cashman, Palatine, IL; Jorey Scott, Concord, CA; Benjamin Lincoln, Santa Fe, NM; Brittany Shinsky, Youngwood, PA; and the pioneering work of Dr. Travette Webster of the LERN staff.
Moving Forward
One of the themes of this year’s 2026 LERN Annual Conference Nov. 16-19, 2026, online, is “Future-Proof Your Program” with more new sessions on the topic. An annual Financial Contributions Statement template with measurements for additional contributions will be released.
