Beyond Grantmaking: Health Foundations as Policy Change Agents

This GIH report seeks to help the field of health philanthropy maximize its strategic potential and minimize the difficulties inherent in taking on new roles by both describing ways funders are directly engaging in policy change efforts and distilling the key lessons learned from these experiences.

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Foundation Strategies to Promote Healthy Eating and Active Living

Growing recognition of the nation’s obesity epidemic and its profound impact on population health has led an increasing number of health funders to identify the promotion of healthy eating and active living (HEAL) as a strategic priority. Anecdotal reports from Grantmakers In Health (GIH) Funding Partners suggest that as the level of investment committed to HEAL has increased over time, the nature of funded interventions has also changed considerably. In order to test these perceptions, GIH conducted this scan of the field to gain a clearer understanding of health foundations’ strategic approach to HEAL. Funded by The Colorado Health Foundation, the study considers foundations’ history with, current strategies for, and future plans regarding HEAL-related investments, as well as prevailing views on the value and effectiveness of these efforts.

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A Profile of Foundations Created from Health Care Conversions

This report is the tenth in the GIH series that tracks and reports on the emergence and activities of health foundations formed from transactions involving hospitals, health plans, or health systems. The survey of foundations created from health care conversions collects basic information regarding the year of transaction, geographic location, assets, tax status, and focus of grantmaking.

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Effects of the Economic Crisis on Health Foundations

The United States is experiencing its most severe economic crisis since the Great Depression, a crisis of global proportions with effects well beyond our borders. The subprime mortgage crisis, a volatile stock market, and job losses have taken a serious toll on the nation’s economy and the welfare of our most vulnerable communities.

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Connecting to Community and Building Accountability

Foundations formed from health care conversions are very much engaged with their communities and seek their involvement in program planning and priority setting, according to a new report from Grantmakers In Health (GIH). The findings in Connecting to Community and Building Accountability reveal that the majority of health foundations promote some kind of community input in their work, although most are not required to do so.  

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The Business of Giving: Governance and Asset Management in Foundations Formed From Health Care Conversion

This report looks at the composition and function of boards of directors in foundations formed from health care conversions, as well as how the foundations manage the investment of their assets. This report is the latest in GIH’s series of reports on these foundations. 

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A Profile of New Health Foundations

This report reflects the latest in GIH’s series of surveys. It provides an updated profile of new health foundations formed when nonprofit health organizations became for-profit companies or transferred assets through sales, mergers, joint ventures, or corporate restructuring activities.

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Assets for Health: Findings from the 2001 Survey of New Health Foundations

This GIH report shares findings from a 2001 survey of new health foundations.

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A Profile of New Health Foundations, March 2001

This March 2001 GIH report profiles new health foundations.

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Tracking Foundations Created from Conversions

Since 1980, more than 170 foundations have been created as the result of the conversion of nonprofit hospitals, health plans, and health systems.  GIH periodically surveys these organizations to learn about their grantmaking and operations.

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