Orr Fellowship’s Economic Impact – Talent Retention

Orr Fellowship

Indiana faces a persistent challenge: retaining top-tier talent after graduation. With many young professionals seeking opportunities elsewhere, the state risks losing its future leaders, entrepreneurs, and skilled workforce. The Orr Fellowship set out to change that—building a program that not only keeps talent in Indiana but also fuels economic and civic engagement.

Insights to Inform Growth and Investment

To quantify the Fellowship’s impact, TPMA conducted an in-depth economic impact study leveraging:

  • Internal Orr Fellowship data to track alumni retention and career outcomes
  • Surveys of alumni to measure long-term contributions to Indiana’s economy and civic landscape
  • IMPLAN™ economic modeling to assess direct, indirect, and induced financial impact
  • Comparative state data to benchmark against Indiana’s broader talent retention and entrepreneurship trends

The goal: to provide data-driven insights to inform program growth and future investment.

Key Findings

TPMA’s research revealed the profound impact and significance of the program.

Exceptional Talent Retention:

  • 59.5% of Orr alumni stay in Indiana post-program—outpacing the state average by 40%. This sustained retention strengthens the state’s workforce and innovation pipeline.

Economic Contributions:

  • $68M in annual earnings generated by retained alumni
  • $98M in total Gross Regional Product (GRP) impact
  • $23.3M in annual tax revenue supporting local and state government

High-Impact ROI:

  • With an operating budget of $814,000, the Fellowship delivers an $11.3M annual economic return—a massive return on investment that underscores its effectiveness.

Entrepreneurial Powerhouse:

  • 21% of Orr alumni go on to launch businesses, a staggering contrast to Indiana’s 0.23% statewide entrepreneurship rate. These ventures create jobs, drive innovation, and strengthen local economies.

Orr Fellows Don’t Just Stay in Indiana—They Lead:

  • 44% actively volunteer with civic or non-profit organizations
  • 22% serve on non-profit boards
  • 8% hold leadership roles within civic and community organizations

Scalability & Future Growth:

Expanding the Fellowship’s reach could dramatically increase its economic and civic impact:

  • 200 Fellows: $8.26M ROI
  • 300 Fellows: $12.38M ROI
  • 500 Fellows: $20.6M ROI

Conclusion

The Orr Fellowship has proven to be a catalyst for talent retention, economic growth, and civic engagement in Indiana. By scaling the program, Indiana can unlock even greater workforce potential, fuel innovation, and create a more dynamic business environment. The data is clear: investing in the Orr Fellowship isn’t just good for young professionals—it’s a game-changer for Indiana’s future.

For more information on TPMA’s Economic Impact Studies, contact us here.