40 Years and Future Focused: Panel Discussion on GIH’s New Strategic Plan
Grantmakers In Health was created nearly 40 years ago. In the four decades since then, much has changed in the world related to philanthropy, policy, health care, and our understanding of health and wellness. In this session, GIH’s President and CEO Cara V. James was joined by past GIH leaders to discuss how health philanthropy has evolved, what is on the horizon, and how GIH and health funders can be more future focused to achieve better health.
The Long View: FORESIGHT in Philanthropy
In order to meet this moment, The Rippel Foundation has launched a series of informative and interactive webinars for funders. The first call in the series, was codesigned by Grantmakers In Health, and we heard from futurist Richard Lum of Vision, Foresight, Strategy. Dr. Lum led a conversation on how foundations can orient their work towards an equitable horizon, and what practices can begin to bridge to this future. Participants finished the hour with an understanding of how to assess where they are today plus how to marshal the resources and will to begin building more equitable and innovative pathways.
Legislative Opportunities to Increase Health Care Access and Coverage
This webinar discussed the key features of the American Rescue Plan Act and the Build Back Better framework—which include extending marketplace subsidies, addressing the Medicaid coverage gap, providing funding for clinics and health centers, supporting consumer assistance and enforcement, funding reinsurance and affordability programs—and discussed philanthropy’s opportunity to engage in the resulting work in communities across the country.
Standing Together: Philanthropy’s COVID-19 Relief Funds and Immigrant Communities
This webinar featured a dive into the findings and a discussion on how foundations can prepare for future relief efforts.
Upcoming Events on Integrative Health
SNAP Funder Working Group: Strategy Check In
One year after the passage of H.R. 1, analysis from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities finds that at least 1.5 million fewer children — and more than 4.5 million fewer people overall — are receiving SNAP food assistance. SNAP participation has dropped in every state except Alaska, and by as much as 10 percent in some states. The harms to communities will continue to grow as states fully implement eligibility restrictions. This Working Group Call will provide a space for funders to share where they are focusing efforts, where they see the biggest funding gaps, and where there are opportunities to align with other funders. We will also use this time to gather input on future discussion topics and determine the Working Group meeting cadence going forward.
GIH Health Policy Exchange 2026
The GIH Health Policy Exchange is held annually to provide policy-engaged funders with information on current issues, access to leading thinkers, and as a venue to make connections with grantmaking peers. The 2025 theme was Protecting the Freedom to Give. Against a backdrop of recent federal funding cuts, executive orders, and threats to philanthropy, it is more important than ever for health funders to educate, advocate, and collaborate to support the people, places, and things that are important to us.
2027 GIH Annual Conference on Health Philanthropy
Every year, GIH brings together the bright minds, seasoned experts, and innovative practitioners working in health philanthropy to discuss the important issues facing the field.