A Philanthropic Tree of Life: Seeding Health Equity through Influence and Innovation

Philanthropy can function as a living ecosystem for change rooted in equity, nourished by trust, and bearing the fruits of community well-being. The Direct Relief Fund for Health Equity (DRFHE), launched with $50 million in initial investments, exemplifies a transformative philanthropic model supporting nearly 200 community-based organizations across the United States. Acknowledging DRFHE as a “Tree of Life” offers a framework grounded in community-led, trust-based, and unrestricted giving that challenges traditional philanthropic paradigms. Therefore, this article describes the fund’s origins, strategic priorities, and outcomes, and introduces the DRFHE Tree of Life framework as a replicable model for equity-driven philanthropy.

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Transitions

Philanthropy @ Work – Transitions – April 2026

The latest on transitions from the field.

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Grants and Programs

Philanthropy @ Work – Grants and Programs – April 2026

The latest on grants and programs from the field.

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GIH Health Policy Update Newsletter

An Exclusive Resource for Funding Partners

The Health Policy Update is a newsletter produced in collaboration with Leavitt Partners 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.

New Report Gives Voice to Food Insecurity in Northern Virginia During the Pandemic

To help spur decisionmakers to enact the changes necessary to create a stronger regional food system, the “Route 1 Lived Experiences Report,” documents the stories of 15 county residents living along the Route 1 Corridor, one of the region’s “islands of disadvantage.”

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New Rockefeller Report Quantifies the True Cost of the Food System

A new report from the Rockefeller Foundation, “True Cost of Food: Measuring What Matters to Transform the U.S. Food System,” outlines the true cost of food, including the impacts on health, the environment, biodiversity, and livelihoods.

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Pivoting to Advocacy and Organizing

This post to Exponent Philanthropy’s blog by Jennie Riley of the Rx Foundation describes the value and impact of the foundation’s shift toward funding advocacy, organizing, and citizen-engagement capacity.

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2021 Call for GIH Board Nominations

Grantmakers In Health (GIH), an educational organization serving staff, executives, and trustees of foundations and corporate giving programs working in the health field, is seeking nominations for its board of directors for terms beginning in March 2022.   

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Trust based Philanthropy: An Overview

Trust-Based Philanthropy: An Overview

This guide, created by Trust-Based Philanthropy Project, is a useful starting point for funders who want to explore or deepen their commitment to trust-based philanthropy. It can also spark deeper discussions at grantmaking organizations around the role of leadership and staff in upholding a trust-based culture.

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