Generation War? In a year awash in political, racial and economic polarization, a nationwide survey by Encore.org has found that the American public values the interdependence of younger and older generations.

National service for encore-stage adults is a robust (and replenishing) human resource that can improve lives, communities and society, according to Shirley Sagawa and John Bridgeland, Service Year Alliance President/CEO and Vice-Chairman, respectively.

To better understand how Encore Fellows deliver impact in the organizations in which they serve (usually 1000 hours over a one-year period in stipended roles to improve organizational capacity, Jacquelyn James, Co-director of the Center on Aging & Work at Boston College, interviewed fellows, executive directors and other key staff at three organizations across the U.S. that worked on issues advancing the needs of children and youth. The study highlights commonalities among these three organizations in how bothfellows and the nonprofit leadership approached the fellowship, with exceptional impact for the organizations and fellows alike.

In 2015 Encore.org and six study partners surveyed nonprofit organizations that had used people in encore roles and asked about the kinds of impact they had observed and the personal characteristics of the individuals that might have contributed to that impact. The results – from volunteers to stipended roles, people in encores deliver unexpected types of impact across the board.

People considering encore transitions value meaning and purpose in their current work — and in future encore roles, according to Encore.org 2014 research.

Research trendlines since 2008 show broad appeal, rising interest and diminishing worries about the coming decades among people in midlife, according to national research by Encore.org and Penn Schoen Berland.

Encore.org’s 2014 research shows that college-educated encore-seekers are eager for higher-ed opportunities to support their transition to encore roles.

How can the skills and experience of encore talent be mobilized to support vulnerable youth? The full proceedings from Stanford’s Pass It On conference offers compelling ideas and concrete strategies for change.

Ten tips for launching successful encore efforts from innovators in nonprofits, local and regional collaborations, foundations and higher education.

The essential resource for those interested in harnessing the energy, experience and talent of millions of people in their “encore” stage of life. Read how the encore movement started, and get tips and success stories from encore leaders.