The Best Health Equity Funders

Yes, it continues to be rough out there to find the funding needed to make a difference. Using the most recent data we could find (compiled on our sister site, Findgrant.ai we tracked 364 unique organizations receiving over 500 grants totaling $382.6 million, with an average grant size of approximately $765,000. These investments reflect a deepening commitment among major funders to address systemic health disparities across the United States and beyond.

Top Foundations Leading the Health Equity Funding Landscape

Several philanthropic giants stood out in advancing health equity.

The California Endowment

One of the most active funders, The California Endowment’s portfolio included a $9.8 million grant to the San Francisco Foundation specifically aimed at advancing health justice in 2024. Their strategic focus spans narrative change, community empowerment, and systems change.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF)

RWJF played a major role with multiple large awards, including an $8.3 million grant to Community Catalyst for national coordinating efforts in 2023. The foundation continues to invest heavily in public health infrastructure and equity research.

Charles Stewart Mott Foundation

Mott supported bold policy innovations with a $15 million grant to Michigan State University for prenatal and infant cash allowance initiatives, highlighting how philanthropic dollars can catalyze transformative approaches to maternal and infant health.

WK Kellogg Foundation

With numerous grants, including a $1 million award to Partners in Health, the Kellogg Foundation continued to support both direct services and advocacy work aimed at closing racial and socioeconomic health gaps.

The Kresge Foundation

Kresge’s $500,000 award to Health Leads Inc. reflects its commitment to community-level health equity work, especially in cross-sector collaborations that address upstream determinants of health.

Thematic Areas Driving Health Equity Funding

Analysis of 2025 grant activity reveals that funders are channeling resources into diverse, strategic themes that go beyond traditional health care:

Public Health & Healthcare Access

Grants focused on expanding access to care, strengthening clinics in underserved regions, and supporting public health campaigns continue to dominate funding priorities.

Racial & Health Justice

Reducing racial disparities remains central. From narrative change initiatives to targeted interventions, foundations are prioritizing programs that confront structural inequities head-on.

Community Power & Advocacy

Investments in community-based organizations are rising, emphasizing leadership development and grassroots advocacy to influence local health policy and equity outcomes.

Maternal & Infant Health

Targeted funding, such as the Mott Foundation’s cash allowance initiative, signals a broader push to reduce disparities in early-life outcomes.

Policy & Systems Change

Foundations are supporting efforts to build lasting systems improvements, recognizing that policy shifts at the local, state, and national levels are essential for sustainable equity.

Education & Narrative Change

From training health professionals to media campaigns reframing health justice, funders are investing in how health equity is understood and communicated.

Climate & Environmental Health

Recognizing the intersection of environmental determinants and public health, some grants explicitly support initiatives combining climate resilience with equitable health outcomes.

Who’s Receiving These Grants? A Diverse Ecosystem

The health equity grants touched a wide spectrum of organizations:

• Nonprofit Organizations: These groups remain the backbone of health equity work—leading community outreach, direct service delivery, and advocacy.
• Academic & Research Institutions: Universities are critical for generating evidence and translating research into change.
• Healthcare Providers: Hospitals and clinics focused on underserved populations received support to expand services and reduce care gaps.
• Public Health Organizations: Local and national public health agencies are implementing campaigns and policies to reduce systemic inequities.
• Community-Based Organizations: Grassroots groups anchored in specific populations leveraged their local reach to deliver culturally relevant interventions.
• Capacity-Building Intermediaries: Organizations that support nonprofits through technical assistance, training, and infrastructure development are also essential players.

This diversity reflects a holistic strategy: funders are investing not only in direct care but in the entire ecosystem that supports sustainable health equity.

What the Data Indicates for 2026 Funding Trends

Based on current sector trends, the health equity funding landscape in 2026 is likely to evolve in several notable ways:

Increased Demand and Foundation Responsiveness

Recent sector analyses indicate that 87% of foundation leaders report heightened demand for grant funding, with many foundations increasing payout and offering more unrestricted support to meet nonprofit needs. This suggests a potential uptick in health equity funding overall in 2026.

Shift Toward Flexible, Equitable Grantmaking

Several funders are already adopting equitable grantmaking practices—reducing administrative burdens and designing funding cycles that respond to community feedback. These trends reflect a larger movement toward trust-based philanthropy and may expand in 2026.

Targeted Funding Opportunities Are Emerging

New initiatives like the AstraZeneca Foundation’s CHANGE program will continue into 2026 with an expanded grant application cycle focused on health access and community-driven solutions.

Tech and Narrative Innovation Will Shape Giving

Predictions from the social good sector suggest that innovation in storytelling, digital engagement, and evidence-based impact measurement will influence where philanthropic dollars flow—especially among younger donors and tech-savvy funders.

A Complex Funding Environment

Despite growth in philanthropic investment, broader economic pressures and shifts in government funding could shape the funding climate in 2026. Nonprofits are preparing for financial strain even as foundations step up support, meaning health equity advocates will need to demonstrate impact, adaptability, and strategic partnerships to secure funding.

Conclusion: A Year of Momentum and Strategic Growth

The health equity funding data from 2025 highlights not just where dollars moved, but how foundations are thinking about equity prioritizing systems change, cross-sector collaboration, and community-led solutions. As we look ahead to 2026, the sector stands at an inflection point: increased demand and innovative approaches may unlock new resources, even as economic headwinds demand sharper strategy and compelling impact narratives.

For organizations engaged in health equity work, success in 2026 will likely depend on:

✔ Making the case for long-term, structural change
✔ Leveraging partnerships across sectors
✔ Showing measurable outcomes and community impact
✔ Adapting to evolving philanthropic priorities

Stay tuned to This Week in Public Health for continued coverage of funding trends that shape the future of health equity.