GIH and SAFSF formed a funder working group to coordinate philanthropy’s response to SNAP cuts and shutdown-related disruptions. This partnership and SAFSF’s work on equitable, sustainable food systems were recently highlighted by Inside Philanthropy 👇

GIH President & CEO Cara James closed the 2025 Health Policy Exchange with a call to reimagine a more equitable, person-centered health system. Thank you to all attendees and sponsors for joining us this week, and we look forward to seeing everyone in Baltimore next June!

On the final day of #HPX25, Laleh Ispahani of @open-society.bsky.social spoke about the unbreakable link between health and democracy. “Funding democracy is not funding a separate issue; it’s funding the infrastructure that supports the work you do in health.”

The final day of the 2025 Health Policy Exchange opened with The Law as a Lever: Legal Strategies for Health Funders. Susan Vignola and Harry Sandick, both partners at the law firm Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler, spoke about the legal landscape for funders.

We concluded Day 2 of #HPX25 with a workshop on “Funder Responses to the New Policy Environment.” Thank you to the participants and our sponsors for the fruitful conversations today, and we look forward to a successful day tomorrow!

During the health equity session of #HPX25, speakers discussed how they are adapting to the moment and standing up for their values. “Remember it is not illegal to do this work,” said Erika Seth Davis of Rhia Ventures. “We need to ask ourselves if it’s about the words or the work.”

Keshia Pollack Porter, Dean of the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, joined us today at the Health Policy Exchange. "What we need students to do is reimagine what their future looks like. Public health is also local—it’s also on the state level.”

Today is National Rural Health Day, highlighting the unique experiences rural communities face and the tailored approaches they need to achieve better health. As GIH hosts our Health Policy Exchange this week, we’re elevating how federal and state policy decisions impact rural communities.

In the next #HPX25 session, research was presented on the perceptions of health funders among voters and policy professionals. A panel discussion followed highlighting strategies to tailor communications and examples of implementation in practice. The research findings are available👉 buff.ly/QDsDgek

Today’s second Health Policy Exchange panel explored the health costs of immigration policy. On the effects of immigration enforcement on access to care, a worker from a free clinic said, “When ICE is in the neighborhood, people don’t come in for their appointments.”

Day 2 of #HPX25 kicked off with a panel on the future of SNAP. Speakers discussed what is at risk, the effects of the shutdown, and how we can build a stronger food system. Allison DeHonney of Buffalo Go Green said, “this country will not sit quietly by while people didn’t have food on their table."

In recent months, massive changes to Medicaid have threatened access to the program. In the final session of Day 1 of #HPX25, speakers discussed the impacts of H.R.1 on Medicaid and how they are preparing for the changes.

In the Opening Plenary of #HPX25, Nat Chioke Williams of the Hill Snowdon Foundation and Tonia Wellins of the Greater Washington Community Foundation discussed federal actions in DC and how philanthropy is responding. “The main strength we have is our community and solidarity,” said Chioke Williams.

GIH CEO Cara James opened the Health Policy Exchange by addressing the challenges of the past year and how funders have come together. “Although philanthropy can never replace government, funders have stepped up by elevating voices and reimagining what a more equitable system could look like.”

Day 1 of the Health Policy Exchange is underway! Today’s agenda features the Opening Plenary and a talk on standing strong for Medicaid amid federal policy changes. Thank you to our sponsors, and we look forward to a week of rich discussions and new collaborations to navigate today’s challenges.

Yesterday, GIH kicked off the 2025 Health Policy Exchange with our first Hill Day. Funders met with members of Congress to highlight the role of health foundations and the growing challenges posed by federal funding cuts and mounting public health pressures.

Join GIH and Asset Funders Network on Dec 3 at 2pm ET for a webinar on how neighborhood groups, small businesses, and health systems are collaborating to improve health outcomes and boost economic mobility, featuring insights from Memphis partners. Register now 👇

🚨 Last chance to register for the 2025 GIH Health Policy Exchange! You can still join us next week, Nov 18-21 in Arlington, VA, to hear from leading thinkers in policy and philanthropy and explore strategies to navigate today’s challenges. Explore the agenda and register today! buff.ly/S5kHpJ5

In 2024, a community hospital in Ayer, MA closed, leaving the region with reduced health care access. A new Views from the Field article from The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts shares how the foundation is supporting the community to reimagine local health care:

A new Views from the Field article from the Episcopal Health Foundation shows how their strategy led to Texas legislative wins, advancing chronic disease and maternal health policies through Medicaid. Their work highlights the power of partnerships and commitment long-term impact. Read more:

Maternal mortality continues to have a high burden across the U.S., especially among historically marginalized populations. This Views from the Field article from @commonwealthfund.org highlights opportunities for health philanthropies to improve outcomes through community-based models of care:

GIH President & CEO Cara James will speak Wed Nov 5 at the @unitedphilanthropy.bsky.social Philanthropy + Policy Institute. Join her session, From Defense to Design: Building Philanthropy’s Advocacy Power, to learn how philanthropy is strengthening advocacy to advance equity 👉https://buff.ly/e9u5TaO

A new Views from the Field article explores how three initiatives from @chcfnews.bsky.social advance equity in behavioral health and telehealth through co-design and community partnership, offering a roadmap for funders to build more inclusive care. Read more:

Youth mental health challenges continue to rise. In Greater Cincinnati, the Hopeful Empowered Youth (HEY!) initiative shows how transformational change happens when youth lead. This Views from the Field article from the bi3 Fund explores HEY!’s impact and the unique role funders:

🚨Last chance to submit a session proposal for the 2026 GIH Annual Conference, happening June 8–12 in Baltimore. We’re seeking sessions on how funders are responding to change, reimagining health systems, defending giving, and more. Submit by Oct 31 at 11:59 pm ET 👇

In today’s political climate, grantmakers must do more than generate knowledge—they must demonstrate their real-world impact in ways that are visible, measurable, and defensible. This new Views from the Field article from @academyhealth.bsky.social shares tools to measure and communicate impact 👇

GIH mourns the passing of John W. Murphy, a founding member of GIH and 1999 recipient of the Terrance Keenan Leadership Award. Murphy was a visionary leader and transformative force in philanthropy, and he left a lasting impact on Arizona and the broader field of health philanthropy.

Health payers know clinical care alone doesn’t determine outcomes—social, economic & environmental factors also shape health. A new factsheet from Build Healthy Places Network shows how payers can invest in communities to improve outcomes, lower costs & build resilience. Read more: buff.ly/neDDWYd

🚨One day left to register for Hill Day at the 2025 GIH Health Policy Exchange! 🚨 Join us November 18 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC with policymakers, staff, and funders. Registration closes Friday, Oct 24. Select Hill Day when registering for the Health Policy Exchange to secure your spot!

In September, GIH Funding Partner St. David’s Foundation awarded $11.6M in grant funding to provide community-informed maternal and mental health support to advance health equity across Central Texas. Read more about the grantees and programs:

GIH Funding Partner the Leon Lowenstein Foundation is hosting a virtual funders’ briefing on Nov 5 at 12pm ET. Learn how philanthropy can drive systems change and expand access to mobile health care during a time of major federal policy change. Register to attend: buff.ly/G0bxo4X

The new administration’s funding cuts to health research will impact efforts to make health care safer, more effective, and more affordable. A new episode from @tradeoffs.org explores what these changes could mean for the future of health care research. Listen now:

The Funders Concerned about Aids Global Fellowship Program just launched applications for its second cohort! This 9-month journey supports emerging HIV changemakers in philanthropy, with support from ViiV Healthcare. Build skills, gain mentors, and shape the future of HIV funding by applying today:

Last call to sponsor the 2025 GIH Health Policy Exchange, happening Nov 18–21 in Arlington, VA! Support this key event to connect with top health funders and share your message at a pivotal time for health philanthropy. Learn more and sponsor today:

🚨 3 days left for Early Bird Pricing! 🚨 Join funders and policy leaders Nov. 18–21 in Arlington, VA at the 2025 GIH Health Policy Exchange for 4 days of connection, collaboration, and timely conversation. Don’t miss your chance to save by registering before Oct 17!

The Native Youth Grantmakers program by Native Americans in Philanthropy supports youth (18–24) connected to their communities and interested in growing leadership skills, advocacy, and philanthropic networks. Apply for the 2026–27 cohort by Oct. 20, 2025:

Nationwide, 100,000+ churches may close in the next decade, leaving properties at risk of sitting empty. Join GIH Funding Partner St David’s Foundation and other funders on Oct 14, 1–4 PM in Austin for a convening on how philanthropy can repurpose these spaces for community benefit.

Ready to share how policy changes impact your community? Join Hill Day on Nov 18 at the 2025 GIH Health Policy Exchange to advocate for philanthropy during this time of uncertainty. Register for the Health Policy Exchange and indicate your Hill Day attendance to join us:

Heading to #HLTHUSA in Las Vegas, October 19–22? Don’t miss Cara James, President & CEO of GIH, on the panel “Picking Up Uncle Sam’s Slack” on Monday, October 20. Get ready for powerful insights and forward-thinking conversations about the future of health. Learn more and register: buff.ly/OXN6TY9

Join Cara James, GIH President & CEO, at #HLTHUSA in Las Vegas, Oct 19–22. She’ll speak on the panel “Picking Up Uncle Sam’s Slack” on Oct 20. Don’t miss this opportunity for bold discussions, new partnerships, and innovative ideas shaping the future of health. Learn more & register: buff.ly/OXN6TY9

The Deaconess Foundation supports children and communities in Eastern MO and Southern IL, advancing health and social justice. Their bold vision—liberation for future generations to thrive in solidarity. Learn more in this new Grantmaker Profile:

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.