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Scan of the Field: Foundation Strategies to Promote Healthy Eating and Active Living. Healthy Eating/Active Living Funders Network Breakfast March 6, 2014 Presented by Eileen Salinsky. Purpose of Scan.
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Scan of the Field: Foundation Strategies to Promote Healthy Eating and Active Living Healthy Eating/Active Living Funders Network Breakfast March 6, 2014 Presented by Eileen Salinsky
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
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
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
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
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
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
Common Challenges • Grantee capacity • Commitment of public-sector partners • Economic pressures
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
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?
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?
Questions or Comments? Feel free to contact me: esalinsky@gih.org