Foundations Take Action on Medicaid
Congress is considering significant cuts to Medicaid as part of the budget reconciliation process being used to advance the new administration’s legislative priorities. Cuts to Medicaid funding would dramatically impact the 80 million people served by the program today. This webinar provided an overview of potential federal policy changes to Medicaid and considerations for foundations and corporate giving programs as they consider how to take action in their communities. The webinar featured a panel discussion with the leadership of state foundations to highlight their key initiatives and collaborations on Medicaid defense. Speakers included Patti Boozang of Manatt Health, Heather Howard of State Health and Value Strategies, Kaitlyn Kenney Walsh of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation, Sheldon Weisgrau of Missouri Foundation for Health, and Aaron Wernham of Montana Healthcare Foundation.
Funder Approaches to Addressing the Critical Connection Between Youth Mental Wellness and Financial Wellness
Curious about the connection between mental well-being and financial security during adolescence and young adulthood?
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, most mental health conditions are diagnosed during the same life stage when young people are building the skills and accessing opportunities that shape their financial futures. Mental and financial well-being are deeply interconnected—each influences and reinforces the other.
When young people experience mental wellness, they’re better equipped to manage money, handle stress, make informed decisions, and seek help when needed. At the same time, financial security reduces one of the most common sources of stress that can contribute to anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. Yet, despite these strong linkages, funders often treat mental health and financial well-being as separate priorities.
Policy Briefing: Threats to Food and Nutrition Programs in Budget Reconciliation
The House and Senate continue to work on a budget reconciliation. On April 10, the House narrowly passed the Senate’s version of a budget blueprint, calling on Congressional committees to slash billions of dollars from programs within their jurisdictions including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), school meal supports like the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), and Medicaid in exchange for tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy. The House and Senate will determine the final tax and spending levels by agency and program in committee debates in coming months. In this session, experts from the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) will provide an up to the moment analysis of how federal budget reconciliation impacts food and nutrition programs, the tie into Farm Bill negotiations, and ultimately, what these policy decisions mean for the health and well-being of children, families, and communities across the country. Experts will also highlight how advocates are organizing in support of these crucial programs, FRAC’s advocacy resources, and how funders can support this work. Please note this session will not be recorded. Notes and key takeaways will be shared with registrants.
State of the Union for the Disability Community
The current U.S. landscape for people with disabilities is growing more complex as changes to critical policies such as Medicaid and Social Security are being proposed and enacted. Join us for a “state of the union” briefing and discussion on disability priorities that highlights both the current realities and the actions needed to improve access, quality, and outcomes. Speakers include Sandy Ho of Disability & Philanthropy Forum, Dom Kelly of New Disabled South, Sean Jackson of Disability Rights Texas, and Mai Pham of Institute for Exceptional Care. Cosponsored with Disability & Philanthropy Forum and WITH Foundation.
Social Security is for Everyone – And Philanthropy Plays An Important Role
Social Security turns 90 this year with nearly four generations of Americans rightfully counting on social security as a part of their economic plan. It is not just for older adults but also supports children and families in the event of disability and death. However, the program currently faces a long-term financing gap which, if unaddressed, will result in across-the-board benefit cuts of approximately 15 percent. There are workable solutions and this new survey from National Academy of Social Insurance, supported by RRF Foundation on Aging, tested vetted options to understand what components people most value, would like increased and could be decreased.
Medicaid: Threats and Responses
As Congress deliberates federal spending cuts, Medicaid is under imminent threat. Legislative proposals are being discussed that may severely cap or cut Medicaid, particularly affecting children, seniors, and the disabled population. On this webinar, participants learned about current threats to the program, including renewed interest in Medicaid work requirement policies. Funders had the opportunity to hear about the latest research and discuss how philanthropy is responding in this moment. Speakers included Stephen Kaye of the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund; Larry Levitt of KFF; and Mona Shah of Community Catalyst.
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…
Health Care Policy in 2025: Appropriations, Budget Reconciliation, and More
During this webinar, experts from Leavitt Partners will explain the distinction between the appropriations and budget processes and recent developments, including FY2025 appropriations and possible changes to mandatory funding, such as Medicaid and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Leavitt Partners will discuss how these changes may impact health funders’ work and possible opportunities to engage.
Medicaid’s Ongoing Critical Role in the U.S. Response to the Opioid and Overdose Crisis
Please join us to discuss the most recent data on the vital role of Medicaid in preventing overdose deaths, proposed changes to Medicaid programs, and their potential impact on the U.S. opioid and overdose crisis.
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.
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.
CEO Working Group Webinar
Grantmakers In Health is pleased to have convened the CEO Working Group on April 28 at 1:00 p.m. ET to discuss challenges in our work and opportunities for collaboration as we move forward to achieve our health missions under the new administration. These calls were open to GIH Funding Partner CEOs, Presidents, Executive Directors, or the highest-ranking health staff at multi-issue foundations.
On this webinar, we were joined by Dr. Rich Besser, President and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, on the topic of funders communicating their values and using their voice during these critical times. We were also joined by a strategic communications firm to discuss approaches and resources for that work. Philanthropic leaders then had the opportunity to share information, swap strategies, raise concerns, and ask for one another’s advice.
CEO Working Group Webinar: August Convening
Grantmakers In Health was 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. Experts provided an overview of recent legislation, the impact on health and health care, and what foundation leaders can do to support communities and nonprofits in the next six months. Speakers included Joan Alker of Georgetown Children and Families and Sara Singleton of Leavitt Partners.
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.
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.
Upcoming Events on Children and Families
Safeguarding Medicaid and SNAP in the Wake of H.R. 1
As H.R. 1 begins to reshape the landscape of safety programs, charitable foundations face a pivotal moment. The legislation delivers sweeping tax cuts to corporations and high-income earners—while dramatically reducing funding for essential programs like Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). These cuts threaten the well-being of millions of families, children, and seniors, and shift the financial burden to already overstretched state and local governments.
Now more than ever, philanthropic organizations must act swiftly and strategically to mitigate harm. A key opportunity lies in supporting states as they navigate urgent administrative and implementation challenges—ensuring vulnerable populations don’t fall through the cracks.