Calculators
Grant Pipeline ROI Calculator
Rank grant opportunities by expected value per hour of work, and total the weighted pipeline, preparation cost and ROI.
- Runs in your browser
- Nothing uploaded
The tool
Enter your numbers below. Results update as you type, and nothing leaves your browser.
Everything you enter stays on your own machine. Nothing is sent to us or to anyone else, which you can confirm in your browser network tab.
What people use it for
- Prioritising applications
- Fundraising budget forecasts
- Development team planning
- Board reporting
About this tool
What the Grant Pipeline ROI Calculator does
Each grant application has an asking amount, a realistic chance of success and a preparation time. Multiplying amount by probability gives its expected value; dividing by hours shows which applications deserve priority. Summing them gives a weighted pipeline for budgeting.
It also works as a grant application roi calculator or a grant pipeline calculator.
Formula
- Expected value = ask × chance of success
- Value per hour = expected value ÷ hours
- ROI = (Σ expected value − hours × hourly cost) ÷ cost
Worked example
Using the starting values in the calculator above:
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Opportunities | 4 entries |
| Cost per staff hour | $45.00 |
| Result | Value |
|---|---|
| Weighted pipeline value | $50,000 |
| Expected ROI | 603.2% |
| Expected value per hour | $316 |
| Total preparation hours | 158 |
| Preparation cost | $7,110 |
How to read the result
Be honest with probabilities: first-time applications to large national funders often succeed less than 10% of the time.
Renewals and funders you already know usually top the value-per-hour list.
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Questions
Questions about this tool
The things clients actually want to know — costs, timelines, ownership and what happens after launch.
Weight each pending application by its probability of success and add them up.
Those with the highest expected value per hour and best fit with your mission.
It varies widely; relationships and fit matter more than averages.
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