Scan of the Field: Foundation Strategies to

Promote Healthy Eating and Active Living

Healthy Eating/Active Living Funders Network Breakfast

March 6, 2014Presented by Eileen Salinsky

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Purpose of Scan• Characterize health foundations’

strategic approach to healthy eating and active living (HEAL) goals in order to:– Guide GIH programming– Inform the field of philanthropy

regarding prevailing practices and emerging trends

• Funded by The Colorado Health Foundation

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Methods: Selection of Foundations

• Drew random sample of 29 Funding Partners stratified by geographic focus– National– State– Local

• Supplemented with four foundations known to be highly active in HEAL grantmaking – Three national funders– One state funder

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GIH Funding Partners and Scan Sample by Geographic

Focus

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Methods: Information Collection

• Reviewed materials publicly available through foundation websites

• Conducted semi-structured interviews with foundation staff between January and October, 2013.– Three foundations declined interviews

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HEAL Grantmaking is Widespread

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Levels of Investment Vary Among HEAL Funders

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Number of Funders Prioritizing HEAL Has

Increased

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Nature of Strategic Approach

• Healthy eating and active living typically viewed as tightly linked priorities

• Most emphasize needs of children• Diverse activities reported, but

interventions in schools most prevalent

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HEAL Funders Support a Wide Range of Interventions

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HEAL Strategies Have Evolved Over Time

• Most respondents report moving to “more targeted” grantmaking, including:– Concentrating funding among a smaller

number of grantees– Emphasizing synergy among grantees– Developing stronger capacity in and

relationships with grantees– Increasing focus on policy and

environmental change

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Assessing Impact

• Most respondents view HEAL grants as effective investments– Some questions raised about built environment

investments• Governing boards have adopted a long-term

view for assessing performance • Most HEAL funders(~75 %) evaluate all or

some HEAL grants• About one-third of HEAL funders have

identified clear metrics for assessing HEAL portfolio

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Common Challenges

• Grantee capacity• Commitment of public-sector partners• Economic pressures

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Future Plans

• HEAL funders anticipate a long-term commitment to this work

• Continued evolution is likely as field becomes increasingly adept at: – identifying effective interventions and – building partnerships

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Discussion Topics

• How do the strategic directions identified in the scan compare to the experiences of your foundation?

• How are you measuring progress towards HEAL goals?

• What challenges need to be addressed to advance HEAL goals?

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Wrap-up

• What?–What messages stood out to you?

• So What?–Why are these issues important?

• Now What?–What actions are needed to move this

work forward?

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Questions or Comments?

Feel free to contact me:

esalinsky@gih.org