Collaboration Across Government and Philanthropy (2026) The growing uncertainty of government-philanthropic partnerships at the federal level has prompted philanthropic organizations to turn to state and local governments in order to address emerging community needs. To better understand the forms these relationships are taking, Ryann Alonso analyzed recent survey data from Grantmakers in Health members and conducted interviews with senior staff from the following four organizations: Jacob and Hilda Foundation, Vitalyst Health Foundation, Michigan Health Endowment Fund, and Connecticut Health Foundation. Alonso’s findings underscore the value of institutionalizing long-term partnerships, funding the gap, uplifting community solutions, and meeting partners where they are. This white paper complements the Grantmakers In Health Funder Collaboration Survey Report, which researches the key successes, persistent challenges, and opportunities that health funders have experienced amid deep cuts to health and social services.
Protecting Public Media in Underserved Communities: The Role of Philanthropy Amid Funding Cuts (2026) – On July 18, 2025, the U.S. Congress rescinded $1.1 billion in previously approved federal funding for public media. One year later, this project examines how the cuts could further deepen the local news crisis. It shows how public media serves as a lifeline for reliable local information, particularly in underserved communities where few other news sources remain. Drawing on her experience in national and community journalism, Carol Rangel developed this project to encourage a more strategic philanthropic response. Alongside the white paper, Carol created an interactive tool that helps funders identify communities where limited local news access and dependence on federal support may create the greatest need for targeted investment. Access the Public Media and Local News Risk Screening Dashboard
Supporting Grantees in Times of Crisis: What Funder Collaboratives Can Learn from the Arts Forward Fund (2025)– The Arts Forward Fund provided two rounds of grantmaking in 2020 and 2021 to serve BIPOC-led organizations in the arts and culture space in the DC Region. As a funder collaborative, the Fund provided relief to traditionally underserved nonprofits during COVID recovery. This case study is an examination of the Arts Forward Fund and their success in introducing equity-focused approaches to philanthropy in a time of crisis. It also provides recommendations on what current and future funder collaboratives can learn from this two-year grantmaking effort.
