The 2026 Global Ties U.S. Community Impact Study and State of the Global Ties Network Survey demonstrate the nationwide Global Ties Network delivers a high-return investment for the American people from professional exchange programs.
The Washington, DC-based nonprofit Global Ties U.S. is pleased to announce today new topline findings that professional exchange programs, like the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), bring significant benefits to U.S. communities, workforces, and the U.S. economy overall. The findings draw on data collected from across the nationwide Global Ties Network underscoring how the Global Ties Network and professional exchange programs strengthen America’s competitive edge.
Katherine A. Brown, Ph.D., President and CEO of Global Ties U.S., said of the findings: “This new data gives us a measurable picture of how professional exchange programs create real value for Americans. Through the IVLP, the Global Ties Network provides communities across the country a platform to showcase American excellence, expertise, and innovation, and delivers tangible benefits that strengthen American prosperity.”
Specifically, the data shows that in the last reporting year, the Global Ties Network received $6.1 million in core federal funding for the IVLP and turned it into $74.7 million in local economic impact for U.S. businesses and communities; a 12:1 return on investment. This marks the second consecutive year that the Network generated $12 of economic activity for every $1 invested in IVLP programming.
The Global Ties Network also:
- Connected 8,640 U.S. industry leaders with IVLP participants through 5,296 professional meetings to showcase American expertise on key U.S. policy priorities.
- Engaged 13,059 American volunteers who dedicated nearly 142,000 hours to support their time in the United States.
Each year, thousands of current and emerging international leaders travel to U.S. cities and towns through the IVLP. Every one of them are hosted by the Global Ties Network and meet with American business owners, law enforcement professionals, public officials, community leaders, educators and more. These interactions create valuable opportunities for U.S. citizens to strengthen their professional skills and networks, become more engaged in their communities, demonstrate their achievements and expertise, and build relationships that can support future collaboration and commerce.
In addition to the direct economic impact, the Community Impact Study examines specifically what U.S. citizens and communities gain from participation in exchange programs like the IVLP. Global Ties U.S. surveyed 762 citizens who support 48 Global Ties Network member organizations across 31 states for the 2026 study. The findings demonstrate that:
- Exchanges showcase American excellence and strengthen American influence: 85% of respondents agreed that the IVLP created opportunities to demonstrate their achievements and innovation.
- Exchanges develop American talent and professional opportunity: 62% of respondents agreed that participating in IVLP programming strengthened their skills and improved their job performance, while 79% agreed that international visitor programs enhanced the prestige of their organization or strengthened their personal reputation.
- Exchanges boost economic opportunity for American communities: 70% of respondents agreed that IVLP programs promote local businesses and strengthen international commercial ties.
- Exchanges build stronger and more engaged communities: 72% of respondents reported that they gained skills or experiences that made them better able to contribute locally, while 54% reported becoming more likely to volunteer in their communities.
- Exchanges increase Americans’ global knowledge and cultural intelligence: 80%+ of respondents reported that they learned about the countries represented by the visitors they met and gained greater knowledge of international affairs, while 62% reported a deeper understanding of U.S. foreign policy.
Read the 2026 Community Impact Study HERE. Stay tuned for the Global Ties U.S. annual report, which will be released in December, to learn more about our nationwide impact through IVLP and other professional exchange programs.
More Information
About Global Ties U.S.
Global Ties U.S. is the national leader for connecting people and communities in the United States with global leaders through international exchange programs. Since 1961, Global Ties U.S. has powered a community-based network of 70+ nonprofit organizations that serve all 50 U.S. states and implement the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and a wide variety of other international exchange and public diplomacy programs. The work of Global Ties U.S. advances U.S. strategic priorities abroad and boosts prosperity at home by harnessing the diplomatic potential of our country’s greatest asset: our people.
About the Global Ties U.S. Community Impact Study
The Community Impact Study examines the domestic benefits Americans derive from participation in the International Visitor Leadership Program and other international exchange programs. This is the third iteration of the Study and was again led by Cherie Saulter, Ph.D., using methodology developed in partnership with the University of Southern California Center on Public Diplomacy. Phases one and two were carried out in 2023 and 2024, and transitioned to a bi-annual timeline in 2026. Research for the 2026 study was funded by the U.S. Department of State and implemented by Global Ties U.S. in collaboration with local Community-Based Members (CBMs) across the United States.
About the State of the Global Ties Network Survey
The State of the Global Ties Network Survey provides an annual benchmark of the local and national impact of the Global Ties Network. It is completed by all Community-Based Members (CBMs) of the Global Ties Network and informs our member services to ensure that CBMs continue to be effective and reliable partners to the U.S. Department of State.