Supporting Public Health Agencies in COVID Response and Recovery
Participants learned more about federal funding for state and local health departments, high priority needs within the public health system, and opportunities for effective philanthropic partnerships.
CEO Working Group Call on Philanthropy’s Role in COVID-19 and Beyond
GIH launched a quarterly call series for CEO Working Group on Access and Coverage members to strategize about philanthropy’s role during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. The first call occurred on May 18, 2020
COVID-19 and the Impact on 2020 Census Outreach: Shifting Tactics to Get Out the Count
This webinar featured state practitioners who shared how COVID-19 and the Census Bureau’s adjusted operational timeline are impacting 2020 Census outreach. Participants learned what these shifts mean in terms of immediate needs for census organizations’ programs, operations, and staff; explored creative approaches to reach historically undercounted communities; and discussed how census engagement can support long-term capacity building.
Responding to Behavioral Health Needs During COVID-19
On this webinar, participants learned from behavioral health organizations on the frontlines and discussed how philanthropy can respond most effectively and equitably to the behavioral health needs of individuals, health care providers, and vulnerable populations.
Organizing Health Professionals for Action in the Era of Coronavirus
Participants joined a candid discussion with health funders and advocates about efforts to mobilize the health sector in support of social justice movements.
COVID-19: Place-based Grantmakers and Investing in Local Communities
This webinar explored place-based grantmaking and the importance of strengthening local communities and organizations to create a new philanthropic and nonprofit landscape, focused on recovery, that prioritizes equity, partnership, and collaboration.
COVID-19: Managing Multiple Disasters Amid the Pandemic
This webinar will explore what effective disaster philanthropy looks like during a pandemic and how funders can respond to other disasters this year while still supporting needs related to COVID-19.
Foundations Providing Emergency Loans to FQHCs
During this time of creative and flexible grantmaking, funders are considering working with community development financial institutions to advance capital through low-interest to no-interest loans in order to help providers weather the economic disruptions caused by the pandemic.
COVID-19: Making Effective Rapid Response Grants
This webinar explored how funders can respond to community needs by getting money out the door quickly, while maintaining accuracy and accountability.
COVID-19 Response in the Primary Care Safety Net
On this webinar, participants learned about how primary care providers are addressing the pandemic, key challenges they are facing, and ways philanthropy can best support response and recovery efforts.
COVID-19: Past Epidemics and Vulnerability — Lessons for Funders Today
On this cosponsored webinar, participants discussed what history teaches us about vulnerability during epidemics, what philanthropy can do now to help reduce vulnerability, what the medium and long-term recovery needs are going to be, and potential next steps for philanthropy.
Policy Opportunities to Advance Palliative Care in States
On this webinar, participants learned about the practical strategies philanthropy can use to advance access to palliative care in their states and communities.
COVID-19 Coronavirus: How Philanthropy Can Respond
On this webinar, participants heard from experts on how philanthropy can invest in actions to support communities as COVID-19 coronavirus spreads.
Upcoming Events on Advocacy Strategies
SNAP Strategy Funder Working Group: Advocacy Opportunities
Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders and Grantmakers In Health are forming a funder Working Group for a coordinated, strategic response to the SNAP cuts in H.R. 1. The Working Group comes as an actionable response to insights shared by field leaders in a SNAP-focused webinar earlier in October.
Recognizing the far-reaching implications of SNAP for food security, health, and economic equity, this Working Group will serve as an information hub and a strategic coordination space, designed to help funders act quickly, effectively, and in alignment with one another. We will organize three Working Group meetings to start and then assess next steps.
The first call will focus on opportunities for funders to support and engage in policy advocacy to protect SNAP on a federal and state level. In addition to connecting with peers, funders will hear from Joel Berg, CEO of Hunger Free America, who will provide a policy landscape update from D.C., and Joey Hentzler, Program Manager at MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, who will share about MAZON’s policy engagement and rapid response funding.
Safeguarding Medicaid and SNAP in the Wake of H.R. 1
As H.R. 1 begins to reshape the landscape of safety programs, charitable foundations face a pivotal moment. The legislation delivers sweeping tax cuts to corporations and high-income earners—while dramatically reducing funding for essential programs like Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). These cuts threaten the well-being of millions of families, children, and seniors, and shift the financial burden to already overstretched state and local governments.
Now more than ever, philanthropic organizations must act swiftly and strategically to mitigate harm. A key opportunity lies in supporting states as they navigate urgent administrative and implementation challenges—ensuring vulnerable populations don’t fall through the cracks.

