Grantmakers In Health Seeks Nominations for 2026 Leadership and Advocacy Awards
Protecting the Freedom to Give
November 2025 | Alexandria, VA
Our Shared Direction: continued collaboration and reports
Watch Dr. Keshia Pollack Porter, Dean of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Deliver the 2025 Lauren Leroy Lecture
On Tuesday, November 18, we led GIH Hill Day, leading conference attendees to directly engage with policymakers to underscore the critical role of health funders and share how policy changes are affecting communities nationwide. This full-day event included a training and practice session, meetings with policymakers and their staff, and a debriefing session. Wednesday kicked off with a local perspective from two DC Area foundations focused on building health equity, then delved into Medicaid policy changes and funder strategies for how to respond. Thursday we learned about the critical importance of a strong SNAP program, the health effects of immigration policy changes, and how to communicate the role of health foundations. After the Lauren LeRoy Health Policy Lecture, we charted the path forward for health equity, and workshopped collaborative opportunities for funder policy engagement followed by appetizers and open time for networking. Friday we focused on strengthening health funders' legal strategies, the link between health and democracy, and concludes the conference with collaboration/response workshop and an unprogrammed networking lunch.
President and CEO of Grantmakers In Health (GIH), Cara V. James, delivered closing remarks at the 2025 Health Policy Exchange, “Protecting the Freedom to Give” in Arlington, Virginia.
Read More →Crisis and Strategic Communications Resources
Survey Findings: Perceptions of Health Funders
In July and August 2025, Grantmakers In Health (GIH) conducted research to help health funders better understand how they are viewed by the public. The research included an online survey of engaged voters nationwide and an online focus group with Washington, DC, policy professionals.
An overview of the survey and online focus group findings is now available to all GIH Funding Partners. In addition, this overview was presented on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at the 2025 GIH Health Policy Exchange in Arlington, VA.
Policy and Advocacy Resources
GIH maintains a library of policy resources for its Funding Partners.
Recent resources include:
• 2026 Congressional Calendar
December 4, 2025• Roles for Philanthropy as Medicaid Changes Take Effect
November 25, 2025Legal Strategy Resources
GIH compiles legal strategy resources for its Funding Partners.
Recent resources include:
• Administration Actions Targeting Domestic Terrorism and Their Implications for Nonprofits
September 29, 2025• The One Big Beautiful Bill: Top Tax Takeaways for Nonprofits
July 24, 2025GIH Bulletin + News
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Behavioral Health Strategies
GIH conducted a survey in late 2024 on funder engagement in behavioral health. This fact sheet, based on a sample of 139 health funders, summarizes the current trends, gaps, successes and challenges for funders. It also highlights philanthropy’s continued commitment to behavioral health while also signaling concern about the upcoming funding environment.
Annabella R. Jenkins Foundation
“Health equity is not achieved by philanthropy alone. Guided by the vision of our all-female volunteer Board, the Jenkins Foundation is proud to collaborate with community partners and grantees by investing in relationships, resilience, and equitable access to care across the Greater Richmond, Virginia region. A recent example is our partnership in Boost 200, a workforce development initiative led by the Virginia Health Care Foundation. Through shared learning and collective investment with local funders, we have helped expand licensure opportunities for behavioral health counselors—strengthening our region’s pipeline of mental health professionals and improving access to care for our community.”
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Staff and trustees of foundations and corporate giving programs may receive strategic guidance from program staff, experts, and peers.
Learning Communities
GIH provides ongoing opportunities for sharing, networking, and collaborating around specific topics or functions in health philanthropy. Each Learning Community uses an online platform plus a mix of webinars, in-person meetings, resource sharing, and surveys to provide an in-depth look at its subject.
Trustee Tools and Resources
Browse trustee-tailored content related to governance, strategy, and effectiveness.
Upcoming Webinars
CEO Working Group Webinar: December Convening
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. These calls are open to GIH Funding Partner CEOs, Presidents, Executive Directors, or the highest-ranking health staff at multi-issue foundations.