Reporting impact: methodology notes and soft outcomes

What this step is for

When you list an impact metric like "$1 = one meal", you''re making a claim. The Methodology Note is where you say what that claim actually rests on.

Why it matters

• Honesty. A Giver who learns that "$1 = one meal" actually means "average over the past 6 months of bulk grocery purchases at our partner food bank" is satisfied. A Giver who learns the number was made up loses trust permanently.
• F.I.G.S. — Integrity. The review team reads methodology notes. Vague or absent notes hurt your verification path.
• Soft outcomes matter too. Not everything you do reduces to a unit cost. Discipleship, friendship, prayer, presence — these belong in the methodology note as "soft outcomes."

How to complete it

1. For each impact metric you publish, write a short paragraph explaining how the unit cost was calculated.
2. Be specific. "Based on Q1 2026 bulk-purchase receipts averaging $0.98/meal at our food bank partner" is good. "Our research" is not.
3. List any soft outcomes that accompany the hard unit. "In addition to the meal, every recipient is offered a 15-minute conversation with a volunteer chaplain — we don''t count these, but they matter."
4. Note the date of last update. Costs drift; revisit at least annually.

What to expect after

The Methodology Note is shown on your Org page under "How we measure impact." It surfaces in the Giver''s Treasury view next to the impact summary, so Givers see the math behind the claim.

Common mistakes

• Skipping it. An empty methodology field is a flashing yellow light to thoughtful Givers.
• Copy-pasting a generic disclaimer. "Numbers are estimates" is a non-answer. Tell Givers how the estimates were arrived at.
• Inflating to round numbers. If real cost is $0.83/meal, don''t round down to $0.50 to look more efficient. Round to $1 (closer to true) or be exact at $0.83.

This article is part of the F.I.G.S. Integrity standard. See faq/figs-verification.