What’s the fuss about Outcomes and Outputs?

Funders are looking to make the biggest impact with their money and looking for applications that can show measurable, quantifiable results, which offer a good return on their investment. You have probably encountered the terms “outputs” and “outcomes” in your grant writing, which are used by funders to gauge if your project is a good return on their investment. At first glance, the two words sound like synonyms, but it’s important to recognize their differences and how each can tip the grant-making scale in your favour. In this edition of Grant Tip Corner, we will give some insight into the two terms; however, funders have their own terminologies and processes when it comes to grant applications so be sure to review the definitions of outputs and outcomes from each funder.  

Outputs: What is being counted.

Outputs refer to the measurable, quantifiable products of the activities you will undertake to achieve the goals of your project. You can easily track and quantify “how many/how much of something” is being accomplished with the grant. For example, if you were delivering an education program, your output measurements may include: the number of classes you hold and the number of students attending those classes.

Outcomes: What changes your program wishes to achieve.

Outcomes refer to the meaningful changes in an individual or population as a result of your program, such as changes in skill, knowledge, or behaviour. Funders want to know what changes will occur because of your program and the impacts on individuals and/or communities after they participate. With this in mind, measuring outcomes requires a more significant time commitment than outputs and often involves tracking changes over time using social science research methods (i.e. pre- and post-program surveys).

Not only will having clear outcomes and outputs in a grant application help you to be successful, they can also build your case for repeat funding. Clearly articulated outputs and outcomes help funders assess an applicant’s ability to meet the community “need” identified in their application. More so, by being able to demonstrate your organization’s impact over time (through accurately measured outputs and outcomes) a funder’s confidence in your ability to provide a valuable return on their investment is strengthened.