In public health evaluation, it is common to translate program outcomes into cost-effectiveness metrics. The goal is not to place a value on human life, but rather to illustrate how relatively modest investments in prevention can generate substantial, life-saving impact.

Consider a naloxone distribution program.

Imagine a program distributes 10,000 naloxone kits in a year. To make the math simple, assume each kit costs $50. That means the direct supply cost is:

Many nonprofit leaders know what it feels like to be constantly running on empty. The pressure to do more with less. The uncertainty of whether the next grant will come through. The feeling that your organization is always one budget cycle away from falling behind.

This reality is known as the nonprofit starvation cycle. It’s what happens when organizations focus so heavily on survival that they lose sight of strategy. It leads to burnout, limited capacity, and a constant sense of scarcity.

At Common Good Data, we believe the solution isn’t to work harder — it’s to work smarter. Thriving nonprofits are guided by three essential elements: Clarity, Impact, and Funding. Together, they form what we call the CIF Framework — a simple model that helps organizations grow with confidence and purpose.