GIH President and CEO Cara V. James Joined The Rural Impact Podcast for a Conversation about the Intersections of Policy and Philanthropy
On December 4, 2025, Cara V. James, President and CEO of Grantmakers In Health (GIH), was featured in an episode of The Rural Impact podcast. She joined Michelle Rathman, host of The Rural Impact and strategic communications advisor in health care policy, for a conversation on the intersections of policy and philanthropy, challenges with rural health funding, and more. “Policies that are impacting rural communities are…
2026 Congressional Calendar
Developed in collaboration with Leavitt Partners, this calendar tracks when each house of congress will be in session in 2026.
Grantmakers In Health’s Partnership with Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders Highlighted in Inside Philanthropy Article
Due to cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in H.R.1, along with the program’s suspension during the longest government shutdown in American history, Grantmakers in Health (GIH) is partnering with Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders (SAFSF) on a funder working group to coordinate philanthropy’s response. This partnership, along with SAFSF’s broader work, was highlighted in a November 13, 2025 Inside Philanthropy article. In the piece, Clare Fox, SAFSF’s…
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.
Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation’s Persistent Journey toward Equity
Since 2019, the Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation (ILCHF) has embarked upon a journey of perspective transformation—challenging ourselves to know, think, and believe differently so we will decide, engage, and act more equitably. Through consistent commitment and action, our Board of Directors, leadership, and staff have moved equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) work beyond “box checking” activities, institutionalizing long-term, individual, organizational, community, and cultural changes.
Supporting Community Health Workers to Achieve Their Full Potential: What Role Can Philanthropy Play?
Community Health Workers (CHWs)—frontline public health professionals who have a unique and trusted relationship with the communities they serve—have proven their ability to help create just, equitable, and thriving communities. As a CHW for over a decade and a CHW ally for over 35 years, we have never witnessed a time of greater interest and investment in the CHW workforce. Amidst a rapidly changing CHW funding landscape, the philanthropic community has an important role to play in assuring that CHWs are able to make an optimum contribution to communities and to the health system.
Ending Girls’ Incarceration in California is Possible When We Listen to Young People and Invest in Their Healing
The United States leads the world in incarceration rates of women and girls—we account for only 4 percent of the world’s population of women and girls but 30 percent of women held in prison and jails. Many girls are incarcerated not because they pose a threat to the public but because of concerns for their own safety in the community—such as abusive home environments. California incarcerates more girls than any state other than Texas and can lead the way on ending girls’ incarceration nationwide.
Safeguarding Health Care Access for Transgender Communities
For decades, LGBTQ+ Americans have been at the forefront of powerful movements championing the freedom for all individuals to be themselves and pursue their dreams. This grassroots organizing has led to unprecedented public support for LGBTQ+ equality and increased visibility for transgender people within our society. However, despite growing acceptance, a dangerous political backlash threatens the progress made in securing health care access for transgender communities.
Health and Social Care Integration: Five Years of Progress on a National Academies Report
Historically, social determinants of health (SDOH) have not been addressed in health care visits. However, whether someone has a safe place to live or healthy food to eat directly impacts health. Other SDOH outlined by the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion include economic stability, education access and quality, neighborhood and build environment, social and community context, and healthcare access and quality. It is critical that health care providers understand individuals’ experience of these domains; without this, the care provided is not patient-centered and does not fully address health and well-being.
