Impact Methodology: How We Calculate Change
At the Give Protocol, we believe that transparency is the foundation of trust. To help donors understand the real-world value of their contributions, we use a data-driven approach to estimate the outcomes of every dollar moved through our Portfolio Funds.
1. The Multiplier Framework
Every Portfolio Fund is assigned specific Impact Multipliers. These are mathematical constants that represent the estimated cost of a single “unit” of impact (e.g., one tree planted, one meal served, or one day of schooling).
The formula used by our Impact Calculator is:
Data Normalization
Because a Portfolio Fund aggregates multiple organizations, the multiplier is typically a weighted average.
2. Sourcing Our Data
We do not invent these numbers. We gather data through a rigorous intake process:
3. Administrative & Platform Costs
To ensure the calculator remains as accurate as possible, we account for the gap between the “Gross Donation” and the “Net Impact”:
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Net-to-Project Ratio — We clearly define what percentage of a donation reaches the field versus what is used for platform maintenance or organizational overhead.
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The “Net” Calculation — If the Give Protocol or a partner organization retains a 5% administrative fee, the calculator automatically applies the multiplier to 95% of the user’s input.
4. Disclaimers & Accuracy
While we strive for precision, these numbers are estimates, not guarantees.
| Consideration | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Variable Environments | The cost of protecting land in Brazil may differ from the cost in Indonesia. Our Environmental Fund uses a global average to simplify the user experience. |
| Non-Linear Impact | Some interventions become cheaper at scale, while others become more expensive. Our calculations assume a linear relationship for the sake of clarity. |
| Outcome vs. Output | We distinguish between outputs (e.g., books delivered) and outcomes (e.g., literacy improved). Our calculator primarily tracks verifiable outputs. |
Questions?
If you have questions about our methodology or would like to review the source data for a specific fund, please reach out to our team through the Support page.