Upcoming Webinars
Roundtable Discussion: Health Funders Communication and Policy Staff
Grantmakers in Health is pleased to host a second joint call for the GIH Policy Staff Learning Community and the GIH Communications Staff Learning Community. We will discuss the importance of communicating about policy changes in meaningful ways that engage communities and partners. In this informal conversation, we will swap strategies, illuminate solutions, and make connections. We will also use the time to dig in on a topic that was raised during the January 27 call: supporting policy, messaging, or other work related to the upcoming elections (such as governors’ races, mid-terms, ballot initiatives, etc.).
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.
Roundtable Discussion for Health Funders’ Policy Staff
A growing number of health funders employ staff whose responsibilities focus exclusively or predominantly on public policy engagement. Do you lead your organization’s policy or government affairs work? During our roundtable discussion we connected with peers, explored pressing issues, and shared experiences to engage communities in setting funders’ policy priorities. Between calls, members interact with one another in GIH’s online learning community for policy staff.
GIH Webinar Recordings and Resources
COVID-19: Managing a Global Response
This webinar addressed the unique aspects of response and recovery for a worldwide pandemic, with a focus on international grantmaking to support communities in developing nations.
When Two Public Health Crises Collide: COVID-19 and Gun Violence
During this webinar, participants learned more about the importance of addressing gun violence in the midst of a global pandemic and how we can ensure safe and healthy communities now and long after the virus runs its course.
State Policymakers Respond to COVID-19
During this webinar, attendees learned about coverage pathways for testing and treatment, Medicaid strategies that support providers, and state budget considerations.
COVID-19: Grantmaking to Support Children and Older Adults
The COVID-19 pandemic has touched everyone, but the youngest and oldest among us are being disproportionately affected. This webinar explored how these two groups are being impacted by the pandemic – older adults, from a mortality and morbidity perspective, and youth due to a disruption of childcare and education.
Supporting Public Health Agencies in COVID Response and Recovery
Participants learned more about federal funding for state and local health departments, high priority needs within the public health system, and opportunities for effective philanthropic partnerships.
CEO Working Group Call on Philanthropy’s Role in COVID-19 and Beyond
GIH launched a quarterly call series for CEO Working Group on Access and Coverage members to strategize about philanthropy’s role during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. The first call occurred on May 18, 2020
COVID-19 and the Impact on 2020 Census Outreach: Shifting Tactics to Get Out the Count
This webinar featured state practitioners who shared how COVID-19 and the Census Bureau’s adjusted operational timeline are impacting 2020 Census outreach. Participants learned what these shifts mean in terms of immediate needs for census organizations’ programs, operations, and staff; explored creative approaches to reach historically undercounted communities; and discussed how census engagement can support long-term capacity building.
Responding to Behavioral Health Needs During COVID-19
On this webinar, participants learned from behavioral health organizations on the frontlines and discussed how philanthropy can respond most effectively and equitably to the behavioral health needs of individuals, health care providers, and vulnerable populations.
