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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Advancing Health Equity and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Health Philanthropy

Grantmakers In Health (GIH) is pleased to invite you to join us for a web-based conversation on advancing health equity, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion in health philanthropy. This is a dedicated time for collaboration, learning, and action for program staff leading health equity efforts at their foundations (open to funding partners only).At a time when equity-focused efforts are facing heightened challenges, it is more important than ever for us to come together to support one another, to strategize and drive meaningful progress in health philanthropy. Your expertise and perspective would be invaluable to this conversation, and we hope you will join us in shaping this collective effort.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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2025 Annual Budget and Tax Briefing

Join the Economic Opportunity Funders for the opportunity to network with colleagues and learn about and discuss the new political environmental and its impact on social policy, key battles and opportunities at the federal and state level, coordinated efforts underway to shape the budget and tax fights ahead, implications for philanthropy in the short and long term, and strategies for individual and collective action.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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The #SaveHIVFunding Campaign: An Urgent Need for Rapid Response

In 2023, the #SaveHIVFunding campaign was launched in response to an unprecedented proposal to cut $767M in federal HIV funding. Ultimately, the defense of critical HIV programs was successful, and all proposed cuts were removed from the final FY24 spending bill. For FY25, new cuts have been proposed, and the campaign has been relaunched. Join this webinar for a discussion on the major threats faced by the HIV field at the federal level, plans to expand the #SaveHIVFunding campaign, and learn how funders can defend federal funding to end the HIV epidemic. Speakers include Michael Chancley of PrEP4All, Joseph Cherabie, of the Washington University-St. Louis, Jenny Collier of the Collier Collective, Noelle Esquire of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, and Mitchell Warren from AVAC.

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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.

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Upcoming Events on Children and Families

Steady Voices in Unsteady Times: Strategies for Communicating in Crisis

Communicating effectively in times of crisis is essential for maintaining public trust and organizational reputation. It can also minimize the spread of false or misleading information. This virtual workshop is designed to support health funders’ efforts to effectively communicate while managing potential risks of ideologically- and politically-driven threats. Beth Tritter and Chrystal Okonta from FGS Global will lead the program. Participants will learn how to prepare for a communications crisis and test drive practical tools for managing and responding. Working in groups, participants will also work to address a plausible and timely challenge using best practices and core principles of effective crisis response.

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CEO Working Group Webinar: New CEOs

It is a difficult time for many, but especially for those who are new to their role. Grantmakers In Health is pleased to convene the CEO Working Group in October, to offer foundation leaders who have been in their position for less than five years the opportunity to discuss the challenges they are facing as new CEOs with one another and seasoned leaders in the field. These calls are open to GIH Funding Partner CEOs, Presidents, Executive Directors, or the highest-ranking health staff at multi-issue foundations. During these candid, confidential conversations, philanthropic leaders share information, swap strategies, raise concerns, and ask for one another’s advice.

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Funder Collaborations to Protect Science

Scientific research is the foundation of public health, driving innovation, policy, and life-saving interventions. But deep federal cuts and workforce reductions threaten to unravel decades of progress. In response, funders are organizing and taking action to protect the scientific enterprise. This webinar spotlights two funder collaborations: FACTS—a table for learning and discussion and the Portfolio to Protect Science—a coordinated effort to secure key parts of scientific research. Speakers will share how these collaborations emerged and opportunities for funders to engage.

Speakers include Caroline Montojo, President and CEO, Dana Foundation, Sam Gill, President and CEO, Doris Duke Foundation and Julie Morita, President and CEO, The Joyce Foundation. The conversation will be moderated by Cara James, President and CEO of Grantmakers In Health.

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