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Featured Resources
bi3 Article: Trust-Based Philanthropy is Grounded in Mutual Accountability and Learning
A new article shows how applying a trust-based philanthropy lens helps funders capture the full impact of grants, describes how bi3 evaluates initiatives, and how building funder-grantee relationships grounded in power-sharing, transparency, and mutual accountability helps achieve greater impact.
New Competency Model for Foundation Program Officers Released
The Dorothy A. Johnson Center on Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University has released a competency model for foundation program officers.
Taking A cultivate approach to Improve Community Health
Health foundations are increasingly recognizing that their mission is not simply to award grants to deserving nonprofit organizations, but rather to play a catalytic role in improving the conditions that influence health, especially at a population level.
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Latest Resources
The Rippel Foundation
“Now more than ever, philanthropy can play a crucial role in bringing people together to focus on values we all agree can move us toward a future where all people thrive, no exceptions. The Rippel Foundation and ReThink Health enjoy a special role as a catalyst in pursuing this ambitious goal—helping others see their power and having the courage to use it to bring about transformational change. Right now, we must resist further fracturing and distraction and commit to making serious investments in the vital conditions to advance shared values of justice and fairness. There is no shortcut to a thriving future, especially now, and we have a track record of supporting individuals, organizations, and regions to courageously plan and invest for long-term, intergenerational impact.”
Broken Triangle: A Framework for Reparative Philanthropic Relationships
Traditional philanthropic practices have often created imbalanced power dynamics and barriers for Black-led, Black-serving organizations. When the REACH Healthcare Foundation performed a portfolio review in 2018 that revealed this same exclusion within the foundation’s grantmaking investments, REACH committed to reshaping their funding approach, which aims to repair previously neglected —and in some cases, damaged —relationships.
Statement from Cara V. James in Philanthropy Women About Consequences of New Administration’s Actions
A statement from Grantmakers In Health (GIH) President and CEO Cara V. James was republished in an article in Philanthropy Women on May 15, 2025, titled “Health Care Donors Urged to Take a Stand Amidst Ongoing Funding Cuts.” The statement was originally published by GIH to mark the first 100 days of the new administration, denouncing the harmful policies, devastating funding cuts, and threats to democracy that have taken place in that time. The editor included an editor’s note that Dr. James’ statement struck a deep chord and urged funders to step up to mitigate the damage of the administration’s extreme and unprecedented withdrawal of funding for health.
Act Now to Protect Philanthropy, Medicaid, and SNAP
Right now, Congress is finalizing a massive budget reconciliation bill that threatens philanthropy’s freedom to give and endangers the health and well-being of many millions of Americans. We are reaching out today to raise awareness of three critical developments in the ongoing budget reconciliation process and to encourage you to act.
Crisis Response Toolkit—Being Prepared: Emerging Threats to Health Philanthropy
Recently, a regional health foundation was highlighted on social media by an account that described itself as being “inspired by DOGE.” The specific areas this account raised for critique were taken from publicly available information, including the organization’s 990 Form and its website.
Health and Well-Being Threatened in The First 100 Days
Statement from GIH President and CEO Cara V. James on First 100 Days
Reports and Publications
Public-Private Collaboration to Catalyze Adoption of Evidence-Based Practices
Working together, public and private funders can create lasting health improvements in the communities they serve. Foundations and state health agencies often have the same goals; they may even fund the same organizations, programs, and individuals.
Update from the Field: Results of Grantmakers In Health’s 2015 Survey of Foundations Formed from Health Care Conversions
GIH’s Update from the Field provides a fresh, comprehensive profile of foundations formed from transactions involving nonprofit hospitals, health systems, health plans, and other health entities. Health conversion foundations have become a significant force in the philanthropic sector.
Guide to Impact Investing
This report builds on the 2011 GIH Guide to Impact Investing report with new information about the growth of the impact investment field, case studies of recent innovative investment techniques and projects, and an appendix on terminology, investment portfolio approaches, and strategies for financing impact investments.
Trustee Resources
Explore this page to browse resources, publications, and events related to foundation trustees.