We track metrics (outputs), such as the number of African penguins rehabilitated or the number of artificial houses provided, but measuring impact requires a deeper dive.
Outputs vs. Impact: The Core Distinction
| Outputs | Impact |
|---|---|
| Tangible deliverables or activities | Meaningful change resulting from those deliverables |
| Often countable: events held, signs posted, posts shared | Often qualitative or long-term: shifts in behavior, attitudes, ecosystems, or power dynamics |
| Answers “What did we do?” | Answers “What difference did it make?” |
| Useful for tracking progress and accountability | Crucial for understanding effectiveness and transformation |
| Can be achieved without deep engagement | Requires authentic connection, equity, and resonance |
Let’s take the number of artificial nests provided as an example:
A pair of African penguins move in to the artifical nest. They produce two chicks. The two chicks are mature enough to their mates and reproduce, but here’s the catch. It will be four years before they reach that point. When they reproduce, their chicks will be able to reproduce after they reach maturity four years later, ad so on, and so on.
That’s why every African penguin counts. The ripple effect of saving one penguin can result in at least 45 or more penguins added to the population.
Now that you know how much we value impact, have a look at our impact chart.