Grantmakers In Health’s strategic plan elevates leadership and influence as one of four strategic pillars for our work. GIH seeks to take a more active role in defining the key issues that will advance better health for all, including by supporting health philanthropy to create lasting impact by influencing advocacy, policy, and funding in targeted areas.
To deliver on this, GIH has partnered with Leavitt Partners, a leading health care policy consultancy, to develop a set of policy, advocacy, and legal strategy resources that aim to inform funders about the important health policy trends in the White House and Congress.
Additionally, GIH has a policy agenda that identifies our public policy priorities. Informed by health funders, these priorities guide our programming, influence decisions related to issuing public statements on timely policy issues, and focus our advocacy efforts.
Sign on by: Friday, February 27
The U.S. Department of Education recently published a proposed rule that would narrow the definition of which graduate programs qualify as “professional degrees” for federal student loan purposes, affecting how much students in certain health fields may borrow.
Finalizing this rule will result in reduced access to care (especially in rural and other underserved communities), by making graduate education less affordable, disrupting health workforce pipelines, and creating obstacles for students to enter essential health and human-services professions.
GIH Health Policy Update Newsletter
An Exclusive Resource for GIH Funding Partners
In an effort to help our Funding Partners better understand the changing health policy landscape in the new administration and Congress, Grantmakers In Health (GIH) is expanding the GIH Health Policy Update newsletter to three issues per month. Working in collaboration with Leavitt Partners, a leading health care policy consultancy, we are adding new installments of the newsletter on the first and third Wednesdays of the month, while we will continue to partner with Trust for America’s Health on the installment released on the second Wednesday of the month.
Policy and Advocacy Resources
Regulatory Comment Writing
This resource provides an overview of how to write and submit a regulatory comment to the federal register.
2026 Federal Health Policy Timeline
This timeline previews expected regulatory and legislative health policy events in 2026.
Funding Partners interested in state legislative sessions should visit NCSL’s State Legislative Session Calendar.
2026 Congressional Calendar
When each house of congress will be in session in 2026.
Department of Health and Human Services Reorganization and Reductions: Explaining the State of Play
Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy Report
Overview of the 119th Congress
A detailed overview of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, including leadership in both houses and key committee and subcommittee members.
Congressional Staff and Member Outreach
A detailed overview of how congressional offices, committees, and leadership are staffed. In addition, it provides recommended best practices for meeting with Members of Congress and their staff.
Upcoming Policy & Advocacy Events
Legal Strategy Resources
Administration Actions Targeting Domestic Terrorism and Their Implications for Nonprofits
This resource provides an overview of the legal implications of the September 22, 2025 executive order designating certain groups as engaging in domestic terrorism.
U.S. Attorney General Issues New Guidance on DEI Programs and Policies
This resource provides an overview of a Department of Justice memorandum from the Attorney General on the application of federal antidiscrimination laws to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs the administration alleges involve “discriminatory practices.”
The One Big Beautiful Bill: Top Tax Takeaways for Nonprofits
This resource provides a rundown on the top tax takeaways for nonprofits from the July 4, 2025, budget reconciliation bill.
Recently Featured
GIH Bulletin: November/December 2020
GIH is continuing to organize several post-election calls for health funders, as we have done in previous years. Join us on November 30 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern for Post-Election Discussion: Moving Forward on Health Care to gain key insights into the prospects for increasing health care access, advancing health equity, and improving the delivery system. In addition, check out these resources from our Philanthropy Support Partners…
Quick Poll Results: Voter Engagement Efforts
GIH’s August/September 2020 Quick Poll asked foundations if they fund voter engagement efforts.
Voter Engagement Messaging and Activities for Private Foundations
The Alliance for Justice’s Bolder Advocacy initiative has released a new collection of resources specifically geared to help private foundations get engaged in the upcoming election. Private foundations can help get out the vote in a number of ways and these guides clarify what activities are permissible.
GIH Fall 2020 Virtual Convenings
To protect the health and well-being of the GIH community during the COVID-19 pandemic, Grantmakers In Health will convene both the Terrance Keenan Institute for Emerging Leaders in Health Philanthropy and the Fall Forum virtually this year.
Reflections from 2020 Andy Hyman Award for Advocacy Recipient
My organization, the Maryland Citizens’ Health Initiative (MCHI) Education Fund, has made tremendous progress in expanding access to quality, affordable health care and improving public health. These achievements have only been possible because of our great fortune to work with a bold philanthropic community that is invested in strategic advocacy and public health.
Funders’ Committee for Civic Participation: 2020 Census Funder Survey Report
The Census Subgroup and Funders Census Initiative have surveyed their funder networks to document how philanthropic institutions and the organizations they support are adjusting their work in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.