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Grantmakers In Health (GIH) is committed to supporting health funders as they navigate the changing field of philanthropy and to building a more inclusive nonprofit sector.

 

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Latest Resources

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.

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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.

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Cara V. James in Inside Philanthropy on Health Funder Reactions to HHS Cuts

Grantmakers In Health (GIH) President and CEO Cara V. James was quoted in an Inside Philanthropy article on April 24, 2025, titled “’Bloodbath at HHS’: Health Funding Leaders React to Trump’s Cuts.” The piece discusses how cuts to staff and programs at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) threaten critical health services across the country—from cancer research to Meals on Wheels—and how leaders in health philanthropy are responding to the carnage.

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Crisis Readiness Resources

We encourage GIH Funding Partners to prepare or review their crisis communications strategies and legal response plans for potential actions by the administration against philanthropy or nonprofits.

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Reports and Publications

Collaboration Across Government and Philanthropy

This Georgetown University Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership report uses data from a recent Grantmakers In Health survey to examine how philanthropy is partnering with government to fill critical gaps.

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Grantmakers In Health Funder Collaboration Survey Report

At a time of deep cuts to health and social services, disappearing public health data, rising health care costs, and resurgent infectious diseases, philanthropy faces an urgent challenge: protecting vulnerable communities and sustaining hard-won health gains. Meeting this moment demands meaningful community engagement, strong coordination among funders, and partnerships that extend beyond the philanthropic sector. Yet despite the importance of these relationships, little is known about how health funders work together. To help fill this gap, GIH conducted research in 2025 to examine collaboration among health funders, highlight successes and challenges, and identify opportunities to strengthen collective impact.

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Advancing the Public’s Health: Current Philanthropic Approaches and Priorities for the Future

This GIH report is grounded in discussions with a diverse set of philanthropic and public health leaders about the current state of the field. It aims to assess how foundations view public health and their guiding frameworks, as well as to identify lessons learned and priorities for strengthening the public health ecosystem.

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Trustee Resources

Explore this page to browse resources, publications, and events related to foundation trustees.