Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) are more than lenders; they are catalysts for healthier communities. Build Healthy Places Network’s new brief highlights how CDFIs deliver flexible, mission-driven capital to places often left out of traditional finance. Read more: buff.ly/o3Mpf60

Amid today’s political climate, equity-focused initiatives like ballot measures and race-conscious policymaking are under increased threat. Learn how @RWJF.org is investing to protect these strategies in a new Views from the Field article:

The GIH Health Policy Exchange is <2 months away! There’s still time to sponsor the event to gain visibility with leading grantmakers while powering bold conversations around the theme Protecting the Freedom to Give. Join us Nov 18-21 in Arlington, VA & explore sponsorship opportunities 👇

As part of a joint initiative between GIH and @ruralhealth.bsky.social, the Georgia Health Policy Center conducted a landscape analysis on key actors in achieving optimal health for people in rural America. Join this webinar on Oct 15 @ 2 pm ET to discuss key findings and how to move forward:

Traditional views of well-being—focused on money or physical health—don’t reflect what people need to truly thrive. A new Views from the Field from leaders at @rwjf.org, The Rippel Foundation & Hopelab explores how philanthropy can support a broader vision of what it means to thrive 👇

The countdown to the 2025 GIH Health Policy Exchange is on! This annual gathering of health funders and policymakers will take place from November 18-21 in Arlington, VA, and registration prices increase in just one month. View the newly released agenda and register today to secure your seat:

GIH Funding Partner San Diego Foundation has partnered with the County of San Diego and regional nonprofits to launch Born Well, a cross-sector initiative that leverages strategic philanthropy to address disparities in maternal and infant health. Learn more about the program 👇

Thanks to a $1.25 million grant from GIH Funding Partner @rwjf.org, Morgan State University will be launching its own medical school. The medical school aims to address health care gaps by training culturally competent physicians and expanding access to high-quality care in Maryland. Read more:

How are foundations reimagining spend-down strategies and creating permanency of impact? In this article from Modus News, learn how GIH Funding Partner The Leon Levine Foundation is spending down its assets to ‘sunrise’ and leave a lasting impact.

GIH Funding Partner the Quantum Foundation announced last month the award of $3.25 million to advance health equity in Palm Beach County, Florida, with a focus on neighborhoods facing the toughest health and economic challenges. Learn more about the initiative’s grantees and programs:

GIH Funding Partner @rwjf.org has an open call for proposals to support projects that seed new and unconventional ideas to advance health equity. 🗓️ Deadline: October 15 Read the full RFP:

Don’t miss GIH’s Hill Day on November 18! GIH will host a Hill Day to kick off the Health Policy Exchange, where health funders can share their stories directly with policymakers. Sign up for Hill Day by registering for the Health Policy Exchange:

A session at the GIH Annual Conference in June hosted by Multiplier Advisors and @calwellness.bsky.social explored mission-aligned investing. This related Proximate article looks at how health conversion foundations can use this approach to center community voice and participation.

📢 Last call: nominations open through Sept 12 for GIH’s Board of Directors! We're seeking leaders in health philanthropy or related sectors—especially those with legal or comms expertise, from the South, Midwest, Mountain regions, or small to mid-sized foundations. Nominate now:

This month, GIH President & CEO Cara V. James joins the 2025 March On! Festival for a post-show conversation after The Great Privation—part of a powerful night on health, justice & history. 📅 Sept 17 | ⏰7:30 PM |📍 Woolly Mammoth Theater 🎟 Info + tickets 👇

Support the GIH Health Policy Exchange, Nov. 18–21 in Arlington, VA, as a sponsor. Gain visibility with leading grantmakers and policymakers while helping power bold conversations and connections around the theme, Protecting the Freedom to Give. Learn more the meeting and sponsorships:

GIH President & CEO Cara V. James will speak at the 2025 March On! Festival on Sept 17, following a screening of The Great Privation. Join a night of art, history & dialogue on health equity. 📍Woolly Mammoth Theater ⏰7:30 PM 🎟 Info + tickets 👇

The budget reconciliation bill threatens ACA gains, warns Tiffany Joseph in Milbank Quarterly, a publication from GIH Funding Partner @milbankfund.bsky.social. Joseph says Medicaid burdens, work rules, and cuts risk coverage loss for many, especially immigrants and low-income people. Read more:

The GIH team is ready for the back-to-school season in our new gear! As we head into the long weekend, we send our best wishes for rest and renewal to all, and strength as we navigate these challenging times together.

20 years after Katrina, communities are still rebuilding. A new documentary on Peacock, Hope in High Water, supported by GIH Funding Partner WK Kellogg Foundation, shares powerful stories of recovery and resilience in the two decades following the storm. 🎬 Watch the trailer:

The Black Funders Network of the Bay Area is hosting their 5th Anniversary celebration on November 14 in Oakland, CA under the theme “Rooted in Legacy, Rising in Power: Black Philanthropy in Action.” Get involved by registering to attend or nominating an awardee. More information 👇

August is Civic Health Month, a time to highlight the link between voting and health. This Views from the Field article explores how Vot-ER connects patients to their civic power—and how civic engagement can amplify the impact of traditional health investments. Read more:

📢 Registration is open for the 2025 Health Policy Exchange! Join us Nov. 18–21 in Arlington, VA to explore the theme “Protecting the Freedom to Give.” From Hill Day to networking, funders will tackle key issues in health policy and philanthropy. Register now!

Join California Accountable Communities for Health Initiative on Wed, August 27 at 3 pm ET for a webinar on how Accountable Communities for Health use Wellness Funds to support equity-driven, community-led health efforts in housing, prevention, emergency response, and more. Register here:

In late 2024, GIH conducted a survey on funder engagement in behavioral health. This new fact sheet summarizes the current trends, gaps, successes and challenges for funders working in behavioral health. Learn more:

What do abortion access in Ohio, judicial ethics in Colorado, and Arkansas’ minimum wage have in common? They all passed through ballot initiatives. But this vital democratic tool is under threat. Learn how advocates are defending it in new this Views from the Field article:

In GIH’s latest Grantmaker Profile, learn how GIH Funding Partner Children’s Foundation serves children in Michigan to ensure they all have the opportunity to thrive by funding work in mental health, substance use disorder, health equity, and more.

As communities face more frequent flooding due to climate change, many are embracing green stormwater infrastructure—rain gardens, porous pavement, green spaces—that work with nature to capture & slowly release rainwater. A recent @gihealth.bsky.social conference highlighted projects: bit.ly/4mThVGw

The ballot measure process lets citizens shape policy directly, but it's under threat from state legislatures. Join @rwjf.org on Sep 12 at 1 PM ET for a webinar on the current landscape, emerging challenges, and how to protect this key democratic tool. Register here:

GIH Funding Partner Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts (FORE) recently announced $1.1M in grants to expand access to prevention, treatment, and recovery services for people affected by the opioid crisis. Funding supports Medicaid policy, care innovation, and community solutions. Learn more:

Climate and health are deeply connected—from wildfire smoke to extreme heat and mental health strain, the impacts are here now. Structural inequities worsen the crisis. Learn how community developers are building climate resilience in this new factsheet from Build Healthy Places Network:

GIH Funding Partner The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation announced $2.7M in grants to Georgia food banks following federal cuts and rising demand. The funding supports both immediate relief and long-term solutions to food insecurity. Learn more: buff.ly/LQZ3v10

Cities across the U.S. face worsening storms and flooding, and traditional infrastructure can’t keep up. GIH Funding Partner @kresge.org highlights how green infrastructure offers solutions, with lessons from a project featured at GIH’s 2025 Annual Conference. Read the article:

GIH Funding Partner Health Foundation of South Florida awarded a $200K emergency grant with the Community Based Public Safety Collective to support a Miami-based violence intervention program after its federal funds were cut. The funding helps sustain vital frontline services. Learn more:

🚨 Nominations are open through Sept 12 for GIH’s Board of Directors! We're seeking leaders in health philanthropy or related sectors—especially those with legal or comms expertise, from the South, Midwest, Mountain regions, or small to mid-sized foundations. Nominate now 👇

How can we effectively Utilize Digital Spaces to Strengthen Social Connections? Join the next Healthy Places by Design webinar and discussion group on 09/24 to learn more. Register here: buff.ly/iHX3rGj

GIH Funding Partner the Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts awarded nearly $1M to 10 nonprofits through its Activation Fund to support sustainable capacity building. Projects include shelter repairs, a digital X-ray system, and multilingual health info. Read more:

Medicaid saves lives and helps prevent homelessness—but federal funding cuts put its impact at risk. Join GIH and Funders Together for Housing Justice on Sept 3 at 2pm ET to discuss what’s at stake and how philanthropy can act. Register 👉 buff.ly/KONZ6FY

New UC Berkeley research, funded by @chcfnews.bsky.social & The SCAN Foundation, highlights the resilience of LGBTQIA+ older adults in CA. The study, Aging with Pride & Authenticity, shows how they’re building support networks, mentoring youth & pushing for inclusive care. Learn more:

The ‘One Big, Beautiful Bill’ could cause nearly 12M to lose Medicaid coverage due to new work rules & eligibility changes—hitting CA especially hard, where 1 in 3 rely on Medi-Cal. In a new blog, SoCal Grantmakers shares how philanthropy is responding. Read more: buff.ly/Vtw5gZq

60 years ago, Medicare & Medicaid became law—now covering 144M+ people. But the new federal budget cuts $1T from Medicaid, risking care for 12M. GIH Funding Partner Missouri Foundation for Health highlights Missouri’s role + why Medicaid must be protected. Read more:

GIH seeks board nominations for terms starting March 2026! We're looking for mission-driven leaders in health philanthropy or related sectors—especially with legal or comms expertise, from the South, Midwest, Mountain regions, or smaller foundations. Nominate by Sept 12!

The #FreedomToGive reflects American democratic values, enabling funders to support communities nationwide. As this freedom faces threats, 700+ funders have joined to defend it. Learn more in Inside Philanthropy: buff.ly/hFYvMXP And hear from those leading the charge 👇 #UniteInAdvance

📢 GIH seeks board nominations for terms starting March 2026! We're looking for mission-driven leaders in health philanthropy—especially with legal or comms expertise. Preference for South, Midwest, Mountain regions & smaller foundations. Nominate by Sept 12!

GIH Funding Partner St. David’s Foundation announced up to $12M in grants to expand mental and maternal health services in Central TX. Funding supports culturally responsive mental health care and equitable maternal health initiatives. Learn more:

A new Grantmaker Profile features the Georgetown Health Foundation, which serves communities in Williamson County, TX with a mission of generating and accelerating positive change in the community’s health. Read the full profile:

GIH Funding Partner Meadows Foundation recently named Eric Meadows as incoming President and CEO, effective Jan 2026. In his new role, he will oversee the Foundation’s operations as it continues its 77-year mission to improve the quality of life for all Texans. Read more:

Missed the 2025 GIH Annual Conference? In this new Views from the Field article, Lori Bartczak of Community Wealth Partners and Regan Moffitt of St David’s Foundation highlight a session at the annual conference on how funders can work through challenges to share power with community.

Federal programs are being cut, and nonprofits and philanthropies in the US have never seen a moment like this. This new article from GIH Funding Partner @bostonfdn.bsky.social discusses how funders can do more, faster, to respond to the moment.

In a new report, the Humana Foundation explores advancing health equity through community-engaged research practices. Heather Hyden and Soojin Conover of Humana sat down with GIH in this Views from the Field interview to discuss lessons for funders and impact on communities. Read more: