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: Past Epidemics and Vulnerability — Lessons for Funders Today
On this cosponsored webinar, participants discussed what history teaches us about vulnerability during epidemics, what philanthropy can do now to help reduce vulnerability, what the medium and long-term recovery needs are going to be, and potential next steps for philanthropy.
Policy Opportunities to Advance Palliative Care in States
On this webinar, participants learned about the practical strategies philanthropy can use to advance access to palliative care in their states and communities.
COVID-19 Coronavirus: How Philanthropy Can Respond
On this webinar, participants heard from experts on how philanthropy can invest in actions to support communities as COVID-19 coronavirus spreads.
Supporting Children and Families through Father-Friendly Initiatives
Research has shown that positive father involvement leads to improved birth outcomes for mothers and infants, as well as greater academic success, increased self-esteem, improved ability to manage stress, and more positive social behavior in children across developmental stages.
How Medicaid Supports Trauma-Informed Care for Children
Briefing participants learned more about current behavioral health and trauma services covered by the Medicaid benefits package, discussed examples of state-based best practices and innovative policy initiatives, and explored future opportunities to improve Medicaid’s response to children exposed to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and other forms of trauma.