Helping Health Philanthropy Navigate the New Administration and Congress
As the new Presidential administration begins implementing its agenda, the effects are being felt in communities across the country. The landscape is shifting rapidly, leading to questions and confusion. Philanthropy support organizations like Grantmakers In Health are convening funders to try to make sense of fast-moving developments and help identify strategies for moving forward.
Besides organizing our own webinars and meetings, GIH is curating an ongoing list of philanthropy convenings focused on navigating the new administration.
Grantmakers In Health (GIH) is watching with the rest of the country as Southern California continues to battle wildfires devastating communities in and around the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Our thoughts are with the many thousands of people who have been displaced from their homes and seen their neighborhoods and towns destroyed. There is much that philanthropy can do to augment local, state, and federal government recovery efforts. Find out how you can help engage your organization’s support.
Read More →2025 GIH Annual Conference on Health Philanthropy
Forging Partnerships for a Better Tomorrow
June 16 – 20 | New Orleans, Louisiana
Solving large, complex societal issues not only compels funders to use their resources in new and creative ways, but requires them to build strong, lasting partnerships with a wide range of public and private stakeholders. As we mark the 60th anniversary of the Medicare and Medicaid Act and the start of a new administration, as well as reflect on 20 years of rebuilding since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the power of partnership stands as a key force for improving health for all.
Announcing GIH's 2025 Policy Priorities
GIH’s five-year strategic plan elevates leadership and influence as one of four strategic pillars for our work. GIH seeks to take a more active role in defining the key issues that will advance better health for all and support health philanthropy with thought leadership and programming to make a lasting impact by influencing advocacy, policy, and funding in targeted areas. As part of this work, GIH recently released its updated policy priorities for 2025.
Three New Members to Join GIH Board of Directors
Grantmakers In Health (GIH) is pleased to announce the elections of Kenneth Jones, Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Equity Officer at the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation; Susan Mims, President and CEO of the Dogwood Health Trust; and Hilda Polanco, Market Managing Principal at BDO to its Board of Directors.
“We are honored to welcome Kenneth, Susan, and Hilda to the GIH board,” said Cara V. James, GIH President and CEO. “They bring extensive experience from health philanthropy and other sectors, and I look forward to hearing their unique perspectives and working with them to advance GIH’s mission.”
Kenneth Jones
Chief Operating Officer and Chief Equity Officer
John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
Susan Mims
President and CEO
Dogwood Health Trust
Hilda Polanco
Market Managing Principal
BDO
Beyond the Ballot: Advancing Policy in a New Administration
Watch Dr. Ashish Jha Deliver the 2024 Lauren Leroy Lecture
Continued Collaboration
We discussed the election results’ impact on philanthropy’s work advancing better health for all, delved into critical policy issues that affect the country, and received updates from the Hill. Other topics explored by participants included opportunities for cross-sector collaboration in public health, updates on health policy at the state level, philanthropy and the Supreme Court, the changing landscape of women’s health, and philanthropy’s role in supporting systems change. Funder CEOs convened for a post-election conversation about navigating the new administration, including opportunities and challenges related to health equity.
GIH Health Policy Update Newsletter
An Exclusive Resource for Funding Partners
The Health Policy Update is a newsletter produced in collaboration with Leavitt Partnersi and Trust for America’s Health. Drawing on GIH’s policy priorities outlined in our policy agenda and our strategic objective of increasing our policy and advocacy presence, the Health Policy Update provides GIH Funding Partners with a range of federal health policy news.
The Terrance Keenan Institute for Emerging Leaders in Health Philanthropy
Grantmakers In Health is delighted to announce the 2024 Terrance Keenan Institute for Emerging Leaders in Health Philanthropy class of fellows
The Terrance Keenan Institute was created to nurture the next generation of health grantmaking leaders and further their professional development. The program fosters relationships among the fellows; connects them with established figures in the field; and reflects key themes from Terrance Keenan's work and writings such as leadership, innovation, taking risks, and the creative deployment of resources available to grantmakers.
GIH Advocacy for the Reauthorization of the Older Americans Act (OAA)
The OAA provides critical services that address the social drivers of health for older adults. If the OAA is not reauthorized, it is set to expire on September 30, 2024. Grantmakers In Health (GIH) and Grantmakers In Aging (GIA) announced a partnership last year to engage funders in advancing the reauthorization of this critical piece of legislation.
OAA News and Updates
In October 2023, Grantmakers In Aging (GIA) and Grantmakers In Health (GIH) launched an 18-month initiative to engage funders in the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act (OAA). This report highlights key activities and takeaways and previews future programming.
Download the Report →Recent Reports and Surveys
A new Grantmakers In Health survey of health funder leadership, staff, and boards found that health funder organizations are more racially and ethnically diverse than the broader field of philanthropy.
Read More →
Advancing Health and Creating Lasting Impact: MacKenzie Scott’s Grants to Health Foundations
In 2019, MacKenzie Scott announced that she was stepping into the world of philanthropy to give away her multi-billion-dollar fortune “until the safe is empty”. She has kept her word—to date, she has given away $16.5 billion. Her initial process for choosing which organizations would receive grants was shrouded in mystery. From 2019 to 2023, Scott used a process she termed “quiet research” to identify possible grantee organizations. The lucky organizations received a call from Scott’s consultants, who let them know they were receiving a grant for immediate use however they would like to spend it. In the Fall of 2022, Grantmakers In Health (GIH) became one of those grantee organizations, along with more than 20 health foundations. Two additional GIH Funding Partner organizations received gifts in 2020 and 2021, respectively.
2024 Survey Summary: Health Workforce Strategies
Concerns about the supply, diversity, cultural responsiveness, geographic distribution, and safety of the health workforce have reached a critical level across the country. Philanthropy has a role to play in maximizing the health workforce to achieve patient safety, provider well-being, equitable access, care quality, and improved health outcomes. Therefore, GIH recently conducted a survey to learn about funders’ strategies related to their health workforce investments.
2023 Year in Review
The 2023 Grantmakers In Health (GIH) Year in Review report explores a year’s worth of innovative programming, details the launch of GIH’s inaugural policy agenda, provides an update on the ongoing implementation of GIH’s strategic plan, and previews GIH’s priorities for 2024.
Perspectives From Health Philanthropy
The Health Sector is a Critical Voice in Climate Advocacy
Founded 120 years ago, the American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through research, education, and advocacy. Central to our work is a mission imperative to champion clean air for all. We work tirelessly to protect public health from air pollution to ensure that all people have air that is safe and healthy to breathe, including through advocacy to address climate change and advance clean air policy at every level of government.
Let’s Take Courageous Steps Together in 2025
At the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust, this has been a challenging year for North Carolina, where we live and work. Hurricane Helene devastated the western part of NC and the surrounding region, and we endured an election that divided our state and nation.
We also know that we are not alone facing the challenges of 2024 and those we will take on in 2025. Many of us in the Grantmakers In Health (GIH) community are wondering how to persevere through these uncertain times. At the Trust, we acknowledge the heaviness of the moment—because we anticipate policy changes that will negatively impact people who are already being left behind.
Postpartum Care Systems: Strategically Collaborating to Advance and Align Solutions Across Sectors
As state policymakers began extending continuous eligibility for postpartum Medicaid coverage from the 60 days following birth to the 12 months following birth in 2022, a small workgroup of
funders connected to explore what philanthropy’s role could be in strengthening maternal health outcomes
and how we might support effective implementation of the extension
Featured Resources
Data Show That The Majority of Adult Medicaid Enrollees are Working
Amid renewed interest in Medicaid work requirements as part of a broader legislative package designed to significantly reduce federal Medicaid spending, KFF has updated its analysis of the work status and demographic characteristics of Medicaid enrollees with the latest data.
Youth Access to Gender Affirming Care at the Supreme Court: What to Know
Ahead of December 4 arguments in a Supreme Court case (U.S. v. Skrmetti) challenging the constitutionality of Tennessee restrictions for gender affirming care for minors, KFF explores the background of the case and potential rulings.
Mother Cabrini Health Foundation
At the heart of our work at the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation is a core belief in the dignity of all people. Our mission translates this core belief, which in our case flows from our commitment to Catholic values, but which is also affirmed by many outside this tradition, into specific actions. We exist to support and advance the health and well-being of precisely those New Yorkers whose dignity is at risk of being overlooked or denied and who too often encounter rejection or discrimination by people and systems. They are our focus, and it is a privilege to utilize the resources of this foundation in service to them.
GIH Bulletin + News
Stay Informed!
Sign up to receive the GIH Bulletin and other announcements
Supporting Southern California Wildfire Recovery Efforts
Grantmakers In Health (GIH) is watching with the rest of the country as Southern California continues to battle wildfires devastating communities in and around the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Our thoughts are with the many thousands of people who have been displaced from their homes and seen their neighborhoods and towns destroyed. There is much that philanthropy can do to augment local, state, and federal government recovery efforts. Find out how you can help engage your organization’s support.
Older Americans Act Renewal Approved by Senate
This an important and time-sensitive update on the Older Americans Act Reauthorization. The bill passed the Senate on Dec. 10th. It now needs to go through the House.
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) has an easy way for organizations who are legally able to lobby congress to reach out. Click here to complete a very brief form which will be automatically routed to your representatives. And please share with your networks!
Upcoming Webinars
CDC Injury Center at Risk – What’s Ahead?
Injury is the leading cause of death among people ages 1–44. Since 1993, the Injury Center at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has worked to prevent injury, overdose, suicide, and violence across the lifespan through science and action. Last year, Congress considered legislative proposals to eliminate funding for the Injury Center and similar proposals are likely to be revisited in the new Congress. This webinar will examine the Injury Center’s vital activities, explore potential threats to future capacity, and consider the role of health funders in supporting the Injury Center’s continued ability to track trends, conduct research, raise awareness, and implement prevention programs in partnership with states, localities, tribes, and nonprofit organizations. Speakers include Allison Arwady of the CDC Injury Center, Sharon Gilmartin of the Safe States Alliance, and Julie Morita of The Joyce Foundation.
Upcoming Convenings
Looking to 2025: What Does a New Congress Mean for Philanthropy?
Join this webinar to learn about the dynamics of the new Congress and how the Council on Foundations expects the shifting policy environment to impact philanthropy. Plus, speakers will discuss the upcoming 2025 tax bill and how to ensure philanthropy’s priorities are included.
Holding the Line of Defense in Florida by Building Local Power
Join this webinar to learn from a panel of leaders about opportunities for philanthropy to resource this movement at the state and local levels.
2025 EGA Federal Policy Briefing
Join timely discussions with grantmaking peers and insights from decisionmakers to support you in resourcing strategic organizing, mobilization, and essential collaboration. Session topics will offer thoughtful reflections on the state of play, engagement with policy architects, and analysts that can guide your priorities and support strategies for sustainable water, food systems, transportation, energy, in this stage of democracy.
Director of Communications
As New York’s first statewide health foundation, NYHealth offers a unique platform for change and impact. If you want to make a meaningful difference in the health and lives of New Yorkers, NYHealth may be the right place for you. The position is an ideal fit for a candidate who is mission-oriented, creative, productive, and collaborative. In this role, you will join our dedicated staff in a collegial atmosphere and advance our work to make New York a healthier place.
Program Officer, Primary Care
The Program Officer position is an ideal fit for a candidate who is mission-oriented, strategic, creative, and collaborative and who cares deeply about making the health care system work better for patients, their families, and their communities. In this role, you will join our dedicated staff in a collegial atmosphere and work with grantees and partners to advance and strengthen primary care across New York State.
Communications Specialist
Contribute to the execution of GIH’s media outreach strategy, helping to secure media coverage of GIH’s experts, health and philanthropy policy priorities, and programmatic activities. You’ll develop GIH digital and print content, update the constituent database, and provide on-the-ground communications coverage and support at marquee events including the GIH Annual Conference, GIH Health Policy Exchange, and Terrance Keenan Institute.
Program Director, Housing and Health
The Program Director is a senior-level role that will refine our housing and health vision to expand the organization’s scope and deepen its impact. This position will advance our current strategy while identifying new opportunities to address housing insecurity aligned with broader housing and community development initiatives.
FEATURED POSITIONS @ GIH
Communications Specialist
Contribute to the execution of GIH’s media outreach strategy, helping to secure media coverage of GIH’s experts, health and philanthropy policy priorities, and programmatic activities. You’ll develop GIH digital and print content, update the constituent database, and provide on-the-ground communications coverage and support at marquee events including the GIH Annual Conference, GIH Health Policy Exchange, and Terrance Keenan Institute.
Program Assistant
Grantmakers In Health (GIH) is looking for a motivated team player who enjoys supporting a range of projects designed to increase the effectiveness of foundations and corporate giving programs in advancing their missions and improving health outcomes for all.
Connect and collaborate with peers, learn about opportunities to develop your staff, browse professional growth opportunities, and more.
Staff and trustees of foundations and corporate giving programs may receive strategic guidance from program staff, experts, and peers.
Communications Community of Practice
Resources for communications staff designed to foster peer relationships, accelerate the sharing of innovative and effective communications approaches, and identify strategies to combat misinformation & disinformation.
Trustee Tools and Resources
Browse trustee-tailored content related to governance, strategy, and effectiveness.