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 Health Equity
2026 Rural Health Philanthropy Partnership Meeting
Grantmakers In Health (GIH), the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, the National Rural Health Association, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Office of Rural Health are excited to announce the 2026 Rural Health Philanthropy Partnership Meeting: September 23 – 25, 2026 at the Marriott Bethesda Downtown at Marriot HQ. Registration link, meeting agenda, and information about lodging will be shared at a later date. For general questions about the Rural Health Philanthropy Partnership (RHPP) Meeting, please contact us at ruralhealthphil@hrsa.gov. If you are interested in being on the planning committee for the RHPP meeting, please email Alexa Ofori at aofori@hrsa.gov by Friday, March 20.