Cleveland’s Greater University Circle Initiative: An Anchor-Based Strategy for Change

Cities are increasingly turning to their “anchor” institutions as drivers of economic development, harnessing the power of these major economic players to benefit urban neighborhoods. This is especially true for cities that are struggling with widespread poverty and disinvestment. Urban anchors – typically hospitals and universities – have sometimes isolated themselves from the poor and struggling neighborhoods that surround them. But this is changing.

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The Vital Role of Regional Associations in U.S. Health Philanthropy

Currently, at least 12 regional philanthropy associations operate health-focused working groups, which provide a vital space for funders to come together for learning, sharing, and sometimes providing a voice for philanthropy on health-related issues in the region, whether that region be a state, multiple states, part of a state, or a metropolitan area.

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Community-Focused Health Philanthropy

Community-focused health philanthropy is a philanthropic style that enables you to tackle important local health issues, has a sense of mission and urgency about it, has some reasonable prospect of making a difference, and creates a practical effect on a defined geographical area.

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Foundations’ Roles in Addressing Tobacco Use

Tobacco remains the leading preventable cause of death in the United States and the world and is a major factor in four of the five leading causes of death.

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New Research Can Help Health and Housing Experts Arrive at a Common Messaging Frame

We have more evidence than ever before that housing is one of the most important social determinants of health and one of the most efficient platforms for improving health outcomes. In February, Enterprise Community Partners released new research conducted in conjunction with the Center for Outcomes Research and Education, which provided quantitative evidence of the long-term positive impact that affordable housing has on health outcomes for the most vulnerable and difficult to serve.

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The Value of Health Impact Assessments in Housing

Although many of the links between unsafe housing conditions and health—such as lead paint, mold, and rodents—are well-known, there are other, less obvious, connections between the places people live and their health.

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One Funder’s Role in Medicaid Expansion and Affordable Care Act Implementation

The Mt. Sinai Health Care Foundation, a 19-year-old conversion foundation, has elevated its health policy agenda to advocate for health reform and create a key role for health philanthropy in the implementation of the Affordable Care Act in Ohio.

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Measuring the Impact of Policy-Focused Work: Difficult but Necessary

What do we know about what works to improve the complex U.S. health care system? How can we spread what works in one setting to other states, health systems, and provider groups? What can we do to move the policy discussion forward and ensure that they are grounded in evidence?

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A Few Thoughts 15 Years Later

As part of GIH’s ongoing work to support new conversion foundations, we invited Frances Sheehan, founding President and CEO of Brandywine Health Foundation, to share insights and advice on starting a health foundation.

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Developing the Culture for Long-Term Success

As part of GIH’s ongoing work to support new conversion foundations, we invited Kim Moore, founding President of United Health Ministry Fund, to share insights and advice on starting a health foundation.

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