Quantifying Social Return on Investment for University-Community Partnerships
- Jonathan H. Westover, PhD
- Aug 27
- 1 min read
Research Advances Section
Received July 31, 2025; Accepted for publication August 25, 2025; Published Early Access August 27, 2025
Title: Quantifying Social Return on Investment for University-Community Partnerships
Authors: Jonathan H. Westover, Western Governors University
Abstract: This article examines methodologies and applications for quantifying social return on investment (SROI) in university-community partnerships. While traditional return on investment metrics focus on financial outcomes, SROI provides a framework for valuing the broader social, environmental, and economic benefits created through collaborative initiatives. Drawing on evidence from established frameworks and case studies, this paper presents a comprehensive approach to SROI measurement in the higher education context. The analysis explores definitional boundaries, measurement challenges, and implementation strategies across different partnership models. The findings demonstrate that quantified SROI metrics can strengthen institutional commitment, enhance partnership sustainability, inform resource allocation, and increase stakeholder engagement. Evidence-based approaches for building organizational capacity to measure and communicate social impact are presented, offering practical guidance for university administrators, community relations officers, and nonprofit partners seeking to demonstrate and enhance the value of their collaborative work.
Keywords: Social Return on Investment (SROI), university-community partnerships, impact measurement, social value quantification, community engagement assessment, monetization of social outcomes, stakeholder-inclusive measurement, higher education civic engagement
Suggested Citation: Westover, Jonathan H. (2025). Quantifying Social Return on Investment for University-Community Partnerships. Transformative Social Impact: A Journal of Community-Based Teaching and Research, 1(2). doi.org/10.70175/socialimpactjournal.2025.1.2.6
