Collaboration Across Government and Philanthropy

The growing uncertainty of government-philanthropic partnerships at the federal level has prompted philanthropic organizations to turn to state and local governments to address emerging community needs. To better understand the forms these relationships are taking, Ryann Alonso, Waldemar A. Nielsen Philanthropy Graduate Fellow at the Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership at Georgetown University, analyzed recent survey data from Grantmakers in Health Funding Partners and interviewed senior staff from four organizations: Jacob and Hilda Blaustein Foundation, Vitalyst Health Foundation, Michigan Health Endowment Fund, and Connecticut Health Foundation.

Alonso’s findings underscore the value of institutionalizing long-term partnerships, funding critical gaps, uplifting community-driven solutions, and meeting partners where they are. This white paper complements the Grantmakers In Health Funder Collaboration Survey Report, which examines the key successes, persistent challenges, and opportunities health funders have experienced as they move to collaborate in response to deep cuts in health and social services.