Lab ROI Estimator
The Livelihood Impact Lab invests funding and expertise into data driven, early stage, African-led organizations that strive to meaningfully and durably improve the lives of the global poor. Our partners focus on work that will increase individual incomes, and either have achieved or show potential to have a 5x return on investment (ROI), within 3-5 years. We define this ROI as the present value (today’s dollars) of increased future earnings per dollar spent. We appreciate that other metrics matter, but we use ROI to ground our funding decisions in evidence that they are more effective than giving people money directly. Feel free to use this simplified version of our ROI Calculator to assess whether your intervention might be a fit to apply to the Impact Lab.
Step 1: Let’s look at income gains first
These can be estimates. If you do not have data after one or two years, feel free to use the same figure in year 3, 4, 5 as you input in year 2.
Baseline: What is the average annual income (USD) of participants before they participate in your program?
What is the average annual income (USD) for participants one year after your program?
...two years after your program?
...three years after your program?
...four years after your program?
...five years after your program?
==> Estimated 5-year income gains for program participants
Step 2: Now, let’s look at cost per beneficiary
Do you operate on a blended funding model with both philanthropic capital and other revenue streams (e.g., earned revenue, debt)?
Yes
No
For the most recent fiscal year, what were your total philanthropic expenditures (USD), EXCLUDING earned revenue and other funding?
For your most recently completed fiscal year, what were your total expenditures (in USD)?
How much does it cost each program participant to participate in your program (this could be in the form of tuition, subscription fees, etc)?
How many individuals participated in your program last year?
==> Your average cost per beneficiary is...
Step 3: Let's estimate your 5-year ROI
Based on information you shared in the previous section, you will find a rough estimate of your ROI according to how we calculate it.
==> Your estimated 5-year ROI is...
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