2025 Annual Conference on Health Philanthropy
Forging Partnerships for a Better Tomorrow
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.
The 2025 GIH annual conference is an important opportunity for funders to collectively explore innovative, multisectoral partnerships at the local, state, and national levels that advance health and equity. We’re planning sessions that highlight how funders effectively partner with diverse stakeholders, bring community voice and expertise to partnerships, and identify key learnings from these collaborations.
At a moment when so much has been described as “unprecedented”, and so much of what we value is being attacked, we need to ask ourselves as individuals, organizations, and a field, what do we stand for? What values do we hold, and what will we do and say to defend them?
Read More →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.
GIH conducted a survey in September 2024 about funder engagement in firearm violence prevention. This fact sheet summarizes the survey results with a total sample of 81 health funders. This public health crisis and social justice issue is preventable, and health funders have an important role to play in advancing firearm violence prevention efforts.
Read More →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
GIH Health Policy Update Newsletter
The Latest
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.
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
2024 Year in Review
The 2024 Grantmakers In Health (GIH) Year in Review report explores a year of programming designed to help funders navigate a time of change, details the expansion of GIH’s expansion of its policy work, provides an update on the ongoing implementation of GIH’s strategic plan, and previews GIH’s priorities for 2025.
Overview of Potential Medicaid Changes in 2025 Budget Reconciliation Bill
Budget reconciliation is a legislative tool that can be used by the majority party in Congress to advance their agenda with only a simple majority in the Senate. With slim Republican majorities in both the House and Senate, reconciliation provides an opportunity to pass key components of President Trump’s agenda, such as defense and border security funding, tax cuts, and spending cuts, without Democrat votes.
Diversity in the Leadership, Staff, and Boards of Health Philanthropy
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.
Perspectives From Health Philanthropy
Maternal Health in American Indian/Alaska Native Communities: Challenges, Opportunities, and Pathways Forward
Maternal health is a cornerstone of any community’s well-being, yet American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) women face disproportionate challenges in achieving safe and healthy pregnancies. Historical inequities, systemic barriers, and the enduring effects of colonization have resulted in significant maternal health disparities within Native communities. However, these same communities are also sources of resilience, creativity, and innovation. Maternal health programs aimed at centering community in tradition, culture, and resiliency can offer unique, cross-sectoral solutions to complex systemic health barriers for AI/AN families.
Investing in Civic Infrastructure: The Rise of a New Foundation in a Rural, Disinvested Community
When people hear about our work in Imperial Valley, they often exclaim, “How exciting to build a new foundation!” But I gently redirect them: We’re not building another institution— the last thing our communities need is another organization competing for resources. Instead, we’re building civic infrastructure to create the framework for lasting, community-led change.
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.
Featured Resources
Celebrating Our Colleague Eileen Salinsky, a Grantmakers In Health Mainstay Since 2007
After 18 years at Grantmakers In Health, Eileen Salinsky, longtime Program Advisor and former Vice President for Program and Strategy, has announced her retirement. Her last day at GIH will be Friday, March 21, 2025. Eileen was recruited as GIH’s Vice President for Program and Strategy by former President and CEO Lauren LeRoy in 2007. Family obligations required Eileen to step back from her management position, but she stayed on part-time as a Program Adviser for almost two decades.
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.
Anchorum Health Foundation
“At Anchorum Health Foundation, our work starts by listening—understanding our communities’ strengths and challenges—and co-designing solutions driven by their voices. We know that every solution looks different. We pride ourselves on our adaptability. We can play many roles—leader, funder, convener, or supporter—depending on where we can make the greatest impact and what is being asked of us.”
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New Grantmakers In Health Survey Finds a Significant Growth in Firearm Violence Prevention Investments Among Health Funders
Washington, DC, March 14, 2025—At a time when firearm violence is a leading cause of death for children and teens, a new Grantmakers In Health survey of health funding organizations found that philanthropic investments in firearm violence prevention are growing in terms of both the number of funders supporting this work and the dollar amounts…
Celebrating Our Colleague Eileen Salinsky, a Grantmakers In Health Mainstay Since 2007
After 18 years at Grantmakers In Health, Eileen Salinsky, longtime Program Advisor and former Vice President for Program and Strategy, has announced her retirement. Her last day at GIH will be Friday, March 21, 2025. Eileen was recruited as GIH’s Vice President for Program and Strategy by former President and CEO Lauren LeRoy in 2007. Family obligations required Eileen to step back from her management position, but she stayed on part-time as a Program Adviser for almost two decades.
Upcoming Webinars
Health Care Policy in 2025: Appropriations, Budget Reconciliation, and More
During this webinar, experts from Leavitt Partners will explain the distinction between the appropriations and budget processes and recent developments, including FY2025 appropriations and possible changes to mandatory funding, such as Medicaid and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Leavitt Partners will discuss how these changes may impact health funders’ work and possible opportunities to engage.
Roundtable Discussion for Health Funders’ Policy Staff
Join this informal roundtable discussion to connect with your peers, explore pressing issues, and share your experiences to advance policy change.
CEO Working Group Webinar
Grantmakers In Health is pleased to convene the CEO Working Group to discuss challenges in our work and opportunities for collaboration as we move forward to achieve our health missions under the new administration.
Upcoming Convenings
2025 GIH Annual Conference on Health Philanthropy
Every year, GIH brings together the bright minds, seasoned experts, and innovative practitioners working in health philanthropy to discuss the important issues facing the field.
2025 Rural Health Philanthropy Partnership Meeting
Grantmakers In Health (GIH), the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, the National Rural Health Association, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Office of Rural Health will co-host the 2025 Rural Health Philanthropy Partnership Meeting, welcoming foundations, federal entities, and other partners to discuss how our combined efforts might produce better health outcomes…
Chief Executive Officer
Community Memorial Foundation seeks a visionary, community-minded, servant leader to serve as its next Chief Executive Officer. This individual will lead a mission-driven grantmaking foundation dedicated to measurably improving the health and well-being of those living in the western suburbs of Chicago.
Senior Communications Officer
The senior communications officer is responsible for working to further the Foundation’s vision and objectives using strategic communications. Core responsibilities include (1) working collaboratively with others to develop, implement, and manage communications for, and about, the Foundation’s initiatives to transform health in our lifetime and pave the way, together, to a future where health is for everyone; (2) initiating, interpreting, and synthesizing communications research to help the Foundation develop messaging that engages and activates audiences across political, ideological, and cultural perspectives; and (3) leading and managing teams of communications professionals, including external firms and contractors, to develop communications plans and budgets to help amplify the voice of the Foundation and our grantees and partners to achieve desired objectives.
Senior Fundraiser
Israel Healthcare Foundation (IHF), an independent American 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds for Clalit Health Services, Israel’s largest health services provider with over 4.8 million members, is seeking an experienced, self-motivated, and results-oriented Senior Philanthropic Gift Officer to serve as the lead fundraiser. The Senior fundraiser will work in partnership with IHF’s senior resource…
Chief Financial and Administrative Officer
Serve as an executive member of the Foundation’s leadership team, as a key advisor to the CEO, Board and Foundation staff, and as an impassioned ambassador of the Foundation’s mission; Develop effective strategies and identifying opportunities to maximize organizational impact that directly support the mission of the Foundation; Provide effective stewardship of the Foundation’s resources through operational excellence and efficiency; Lead and manage functions responsible for investments, accounting, human resources, grantmaking operations, technology and facilities; Advise the Board, CEO and the leadership team of strategies related to risk management and identifying potential risks to the Foundation and its mission.
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.