Protecting the Freedom to Give
November 18 – 21, 2025 • Arlington, VA
The GIH Health Policy Exchange provides policy-engaged funders with information on current issues, access to leading thinkers, and connections with grantmaking peers. This year’s theme is Protecting the Freedom to Give. Against a backdrop of recent federal funding cuts, executive orders, and threats to philanthropy, it is more important than ever for health funders to educate, advocate, and collaborate to support the people, places, and things that are important to us.
Grantmakers In Health Seeks Nominations for 2026 Leadership and Advocacy Awards
Crisis Communications Resources
Crisis and Issues Management Playbook for Funders
This Crisis and Issues Management Playbook is intended as a guide to support Grantmakers In Health Funding Partners in both individual and collective approaches to crisis moments.
Policy and Advocacy Resources
GIH maintains a library of policy resources for its Funding Partners.
Recent resources include:
• Potential Impact of a Government Shutdown on Health Care Priorities
October 8, 2025• Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy Report
September 17, 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
Stay Informed!
Sign up to receive the GIH Bulletin and other announcements
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.
Deaconess Foundation
“Action is where philanthropy demonstrates its true value. At the Children’s Foundation, this means supporting community-led solutions, participating in collaborative funding efforts, and advocating for policies that strengthen public health, uplift nonprofit partners, and reinforce the philanthropic sector. Action requires transparency, trust, and long-term commitment.”
Connect and collaborate with peers, learn about opportunities to develop your staff, browse professional growth opportunities, and more.
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
Behavioral Health in the Balance: Navigating the Impact of the 2025 Budget Reconciliation Act
Medicaid is the single largest payer for behavioral health services and is increasingly responsible for substance use disorder reimbursements. In July 2025, H.R.1 was signed into law containing an estimated $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts over 10 years, resulting in almost 15 million people losing health coverage, according to Congressional Budget Office estimates. The pressure on states to cut spending is immense, and behavioral health services will not be immune. Join GIH for a discussion on the behavioral health implications of H.R.1 and opportunities for funders to get involved now. Bill Smith and Angela Kimball from Inseparable will summarize H.R.1 from a behavioral health perspective. Neel Harja and Sarah Wasil from Michigan Health Endowment Fund and Itai Dinour and Hazel Guzman from Carmel Hill Fund will provide examples of how funders are responding to this challenging situation. Funders will leave the webinar with actionable ideas to protect access to behavioral health services in their states.
CEO Working Group Webinar: New CEOs
It is a difficult time for many, but especially for those who are new to their role. Grantmakers In Health is pleased to convene the CEO Working Group in October, to offer foundation leaders who have been in their position for less than five years the opportunity to discuss the challenges they are facing as new CEOs with one another and seasoned leaders in the field. These calls are open to GIH Funding Partner CEOs, Presidents, Executive Directors, or the highest-ranking health staff at multi-issue foundations. During these candid, confidential conversations, philanthropic leaders share information, swap strategies, raise concerns, and ask for one another’s advice.