Scan of the Field: Foundation Strategies to Promote Healthy Eating and Active Living
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Transcript of Scan of the Field: Foundation Strategies to Promote Healthy Eating and Active Living
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?