When The Goldman Sachs Foundation (GSF) made its first strategic social investment decision in 1999, it took note of one of Goldman Sachs' core corporate values: People are its greatest asset. The program's objective was--and is--clear and simple: to increase the number of high-potential young adults from historically underrepresented backgrounds who earn admission to and succeed at selective colleges and universities. GSF realized an opportunity to plan and work with initiatives that support youth and inspire these young people. GSF had a Return on Investment (ROI) plan from its inception. This report provides the external evaluation of the return on the investment of GSF's resources in the United States. GSF's investment has also provided hope to and elevated the aspirations of the youth involved--returns that, despite being more difficult to measure, are visible. This report has eight sections. The first section of the report provides an overview of the importance of developing high-potential youth. Section two reviews GSF's grant-making approach. The third section profiles GSF-supported students and their accomplishments with comparisons to students from a national database. The fourth section provides an overview of the ROI research. In section five, the authors present their simulation of the ROI for the GSF programs. In section six, which presents a qualitative component for the work, four key stakeholders reflect on what these programs have achieved. Section seven profiles several of GSF's investments in similar programs in the United States and abroad, as well as a program that works with students in their college years. Section eight presents the authors' recommendations for next steps and their summary of what GSF has achieved in less than 10 years. Appendices include: (1) Estimating the Cost of Preparing a Student for Admission to a Leading U.S. College or University; (2) Developing High-Potential Youth Programs Profiles; (3) Application, Acceptance and Enrollment Rates by Programs; and (4) Analytical Caveats. (Contains 6 figures, 5 tables, and 15 footnotes.)