The events of the past year raised our collective awareness of racial and ethnic health disparities, social inequities, and some of the systemic policies driving these inequities. In response to this awakening, numerous organizations issued statements condemning the injustices and committing to address inequities.
In an effort to provide a more complete picture of how foundations have altered their health equity programming and pivoted internally to foster more diverse and inclusive environments since the COVID-19 pandemic began, we surveyed more than 200 Funding Partners of Grantmakers In Health between September 17, 2020, and October 9, 2020, and received responses from 102 people working at 60 separate foundations. Half of the respondents were foundation executives, while the other half consisted mainly of program staff. The findings below provide a snapshot of how health philanthropy has increased its focus on health equity programming, and internal initiatives on diversity, equity, and inclusion. (author abstract)