Front and center in Grantmakers In Health’s strategic plan is our vision, which serves as our north star:
“Better health for all through better philanthropy.”
Through our strategic plan, Grantmakers In Health (GIH) operates in service of the three components of our mission:
- Better Health. For over 40 years, GIH has supported hundreds of health funders and philanthropic organizations through education, networking, and leadership. As we continue to support Funding Partners, our priorities will center on maximizing impact to achieve better health.
- For All. Ensuring that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to achieve their highest level of health requires removing structural obstacles to access. We have woven equity throughout the issue areas of our work, in addition to elevating “Health Equity and Social Justice” as one of our core focus areas.
- Through Better Philanthropy. Like other sectors, health funders are on a continuum with regards to many issues, including trust-based philanthropy; community engagement and power sharing; health equity and social justice; and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Grantmakers In Health is committed to the field’s growth, as we work with health funders to anticipate overcome issues and challenges.
Focus Areas
As part of our strategic plan, GIH has identified five areas that are critical to achieving better health for all:
These are GIH’s main focus areas, and we believe that viewing our work through these lenses will allow us to emphasize equity, innovation, and responsiveness—while continuing to elevate funders’ myriad priority areas. This shift was also greatly informed by the sector’s feedback, priorities, and trends, and I hope that you, too, view the work you do—whether in behavioral health, workforce development, climate change, rural health, healthy aging, or oral health—through one or more of these lenses.
Policy and Advocacy
GIH seeks to take a more active role in defining the key issues that will advance better health for all. We are also supporting health philanthropy with the thought leadership and programming to create lasting impact by influencing advocacy, policy, and funding in targeted areas.
Strategic and Crisis Communications
Foundations and other charitable organizations are facing increasing communications challenges related to their work. GIH has developed resources for funders to help them create their own crisis and strategic communications strategies and learn best practices.
Legal Strategy
Foundations and other charitable organizations are facing increasing legal risks related to their work. GIH has developed resources to help health funders navigate the current legal landscape and assess and mitigate their legal risk.
