Democracy and Philanthropy in These Times
What do attacks on trans rights have to do with voting rights for Black communities? How is birthright citizenship linked to the unfinished work of Reconstruction and equality under the law? And why are laws and practices protecting reproductive justice central to all of it? These aren’t just academic questions—they’re the battle lines of our…
Ballot Measures: Advancing Health Policy through Direct Democracy
The citizen-initiative process, also known as direct democracy, gives the people the power to directly propose and pass new laws or constitutional amendments (depending on the state) by putting them up for a vote at the statewide or local level. 25 U.S. states and the District of Columbia allow for citizen-initiated ballot measures, which have been used to advance a broad range of health policy goals, including reproductive rights, Medicaid expansion, gun safety reform, minimum wage increases, and paid leave. This webinar explored recent ballot initiative campaigns and highlight the roles of health funders in building community power through direct democracy. Speakers included Chris Melody Fields Figueredo of the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, Becky Gould of Nebraska Appleseed, and Ashley Dietz of the Florida Philanthropic Network.
Black Disabled Leadership: Essential Yet Overlooked
Join the Disability and Philanthropy Forum for a discussion with Black disabled leaders on how philanthropy can support Black disabled communities.
CEO Working Group Webinar
Grantmakers In Health is pleased to convene the CEO Working Group to discuss challenges in our work and opportunities for collaboration as we move forward to achieve our health missions under the new administration.
The Arts and Changing Political Landscapes
Join Grantmakers in the Arts for an insightful discussion on new research at the intersection of arts and public policy, exploring the intense debates over government support for the arts during the 1990s.
Protecting Race-Explicit Programming Series: Navigating the Current Legal Landscape
Join Asian Americans / Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy for the second session of the learning series where we will have a conversation about the current state of the law and how litigation has been used successfully and unsuccessfully to expand or constrain civil rights.
2025 EGA Federal Policy Briefing
Join timely discussions with grantmaking peers and insights from decisionmakers to support you in resourcing strategic organizing, mobilization, and essential collaboration. Session topics will offer thoughtful reflections on the state of play, engagement with policy architects, and analysts that can guide your priorities and support strategies for sustainable water, food systems, transportation, energy, in this stage of democracy.
Foundations on the Hill 2025
At Foundations on the Hill, we bring together PSOs, foundations, sector leaders, and advocates to strengthen our collective impact on federal policy. This signature event provides an unparalleled opportunity to engage directly with legislators and policymakers while building lasting relationships within our sector.
Holding the Line of Defense in Florida by Building Local Power
Join this webinar to learn from a panel of leaders about opportunities for philanthropy to resource this movement at the state and local levels.
CDC Injury Center at Risk – What’s Ahead?
This webinar examined the Injury Center’s vital activities, explored potential threats to future capacity, and considers the role of health funders in supporting the Injury Center’s continued ability to track trends, conduct research, raise awareness, and implement prevention programs in partnership with states, localities, tribes, and nonprofit organizations.
Looking to 2025: What Does a New Congress Mean for Philanthropy?
Join this webinar to learn about the dynamics of the new Congress and how the Council on Foundations expects the shifting policy environment to impact philanthropy. Plus, speakers will discuss the upcoming 2025 tax bill and how to ensure philanthropy’s priorities are included.
Safeguarding the EPA while Building Power for Environmental Health and Justice
Join this webinar for a learning and strategy conversation designed for funders. They will discuss what is happening at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), what’s at stake, and what actions funders can take—both through immediate funding and longer-term power-building strategies.
Upcoming Events on Behavioral Health
SNAP Funder Working Group: Food Restriction Waivers
This Working Group Call will examine the rise of state waivers restricting the type of food that can be purchased with SNAP benefits, how retailers are navigating these changes, and what we might learn from the evaluations. To date, USDA has approved food restriction waivers in 22 states and incentivized waiver applications by tying them to increased funding for the Rural Health Transformation Program. USDA claims that these waivers are meant to “restore nutritional value in SNAP.” However, five SNAP recipients in Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee, and West Virginia sued the department in March, challenging these restrictions as harmful, unlawful, and burdensome.
Speakers from the National Governors Association, the National Grocers Association, and the University of Illinois Chicago will discuss the state-level decision-making process to apply for a waiver, the impact of these waivers on retailer participation in SNAP, and the public and private evaluation methods being used to assess whether the restrictions have any meaningful impact on nutrition for participants. The Center for Science in the Public Interest will also share strategic thinking about how they are exploring opportunities to engage in this continuously evolving political climate.
CEO Working Group Webinar
Grantmakers In Health is pleased to convene the CEO Working Group to discuss challenges in our work and opportunities for collaboration as we move forward to achieve our health missions. These calls are open to GIH Funding Partner CEOs, Presidents, or Executive Directors. During these candid, confidential conversations, philanthropic leaders share information, swap strategies, raise concerns, and ask for one another’s advice. Reach out to Ann Rodgers to learn more.
Passed in July 2025, H.R. 1 is now entering its implementation phase, with significant implications on state operations and budgets—particularly related to changes in Medicaid and SNAP programs. In this webinar, we will explore H.R. 1 implementation with two organizations that are dedicating resources to tracking its impact and supporting states as they respond. Speakers include: Alison Betty of alignco, Patti Boozang of Manatt Health, and Timothy Shaw of Aspen Institute.