Grantmakers In Health (GIH) is pleased to release our 2026 Policy Priorities Agenda. Now more than ever, philanthropic organizations must act decisively and strategically to improve the conditions in communities that impact health and to protect communities from harm. We hope these priorities will inspire the field of health philanthropy and encourage greater collaboration and commitment to common policy goals. GIH looks forward to working with funders and others to advance this agenda.
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.
Grantmakers In Health (GIH) invites philanthropic organizations to sign on to a comment letter responding to a proposed Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Interim Final Rule requiring adult Medicaid beneficiaries to work or perform community service for 80 hours per month or risk losing their Medicaid benefits.
If implemented, the Interim Final Rule would create procedural barriers to coverage for eligible individuals and families, while imposing significant administrative burdens across the Medicaid ecosystem, including for beneficiaries, community-based organizations (CBOs), and health care providers. Many people who are otherwise eligible for Medicaid are expected to lose coverage inappropriately as a result of these new eligibility verification requirements.
Grantmakers In Health (GIH) invited philanthropic organizations to sign on to a comment letter responding to a proposed revision of the Office of Management and Budget’s Uniform Guidance that would place federal grantmaking decisions in the hands of political appointees and make substantial changes to the federal grantmaking process.
If implemented, these revisions could introduce unnecessary uncertainty and administrative complexity across the federal grantmaking ecosystem, while increasing financial and operational risk for nonprofit organizations, philanthropic partners, and the communities they serve. Given the potential impacts on funders and their grantees, we encouraged philanthropic organizations to add their voices to this response.
GIH Health Policy Update Newsletter
An Exclusive Resource for GIH Funding Partners
GIH’s Health Policy Update newsletter, published twice a month, is an essential resource for helping our Funding Partners to better understand the changing federal health policy landscape.
Policy and Advocacy Resources
Summary of Medicaid Community Engagement Interim Final Rule
Department of Health and Human Services Reorganization and Reductions: Explaining the State of Play
Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy Report
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.
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
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.
Advocacy in an Election Year
As elections approach, foundations across the country are considering how to best raise awareness of issues ranging from health equity and climate change to immigration reform and criminal justice.Health foundations tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code—which includes both private foundations and community foundations—must comply with IRS rules requiring 501(c)(3) organizations to remain nonpartisan
Building an Evidence-Base for Gun Violence Prevention: Research and Data Needs
Gun violence prevention research is woefully underfunded, receiving significantly less research funding and scientific attention compared with other leading causes of death. Using a methodology that calculated expected levels of research investment based on mortality rates, one study estimated that between 2004 and 2015 gun violence received just 1.6 percent of the federal research support projected and had 4.5 percent of the volume of publications anticipated.