Recent policy changes, such as the cancellation of $12 billion in healthcare grants, have left health organizations wondering how to support those in need of services. Health inequities remain a pressing issue, with factors such as geography, race, and socioeconomic status significantly influencing access to quality care. Recent studies have highlighted unequal disparities among key health indicators, such as life expectancy and cancer rates. Fortunately, philanthropy has played a pivotal and vital role in addressing these disparities to drive equity in healthcare.
At the 2024 AHP International Conference in San Diego, CCS Fundraising convened a panel of experts to explore the role of philanthropy in advancing health equity. Panelists Crystal Potter Rivera, Executive Director of Denver Health Foundation, and Preston Walton, President of Alameda Health System Foundation, shared actionable insights into how philanthropy can advance equity in healthcare, improve outcomes, and tackle disparities that persist across communities.
The State of Healthcare Philanthropy and Equity in the US
According to Giving USA 2024: The Annual Report on Philanthropy for the Year 2023, total charitable giving in the US reached an estimated $557 billion in 2023, with $56.58 billion directed toward health causes — the sixth-largest sector recipient. This represents a record high for healthcare philanthropy, which has grown by 13.2% over the past five years.
Despite these figures and advances in medicine, achieving widespread equity in healthcare remains an elusive goal. Structural barriers and social determinants of health continue to create significant disparities in outcomes. Only 20% of what contributes to health is related to access to care or the quality of services received. Instead, 40% of health outcomes can be traced to a person’s zip code, underscoring the profound influence of social determinants of health. These factors include housing stability, access to fresh food, clean air, and safe outdoor spaces.

Healthcare nonprofits are navigating a shifting landscape marked by significant federal funding changes and policy reforms. Notably, the Health Equity Advisory Committee at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has been disbanded, which may increase pressure on nonprofits and philanthropists to cover the gap in health equity needs among vulnerable populations.
Other cuts—such as the retrieval of over $11 billion in COVID-19 funds and proposed reductions to Medicaid and SNAP — could make it difficult for institutions to meet the needs of their constituents. The restructuring of the Department of Health and Human Services, including planned layoffs and agency consolidations may add further uncertainty. These developments highlight a growing reliance on philanthropic support to sustain operations, close funding gaps, and continue addressing health disparities at the community level.
Hospitals and health systems must broaden their focus beyond the walls of clinical care to address these upstream drivers of health—determinants that can be greatly supported by philanthropy.
The Role of Philanthropy in Tackling Disparities to Drive Equity in Healthcare
Addressing Social Determinants of Health
Philanthropy is uniquely positioned to address the core drivers of health inequities. Initiatives targeting housing, nutrition, and environmental conditions are vital to improving outcomes for underserved populations. For example, in response to a sharp rise in maternal mortality rates, Denver Health’s doula program, which launched as a volunteer program then took flight through philanthropic partnership, supports expecting and laboring mothers who might otherwise lack access to essential care, ensuring safer and more relevant childbirth experiences for vulnerable families. Through philanthropy, this program also aims to diversify the doula workforce by supporting training, certification, and stipends to encourage volunteers to continue their careers in medicine.
Health systems are proving that targeted philanthropic investments can make a transformative impact. At Alameda Health System, a $5,000 donation funded blood pressure cuffs for patients, enabling better at-home monitoring and reducing emergency department visits by 80%. This underscores how even modest investments can lead to outsized outcomes, particularly in addressing preventable health crises.
Improving Diversity in Healthcare
A diverse healthcare workforce is essential to building trust and delivering equitable care. Yet, structural racism continues to impact employment at the clinician level, with Black patients reporting better outcomes when treated by racially-concordant providers. According to a 2019 study by AAMC, increasing diversity among hospital staff and physicians is a critical step toward reducing disparities.
However, recent executive and Supreme Court rulings on race-conscious admissions have created challenges for medical schools striving to increase diversity. In this context, philanthropy has become a vital tool for removing barriers and creating opportunities. A prime example is Dr. Ruth Gottesman’s $1 billion gift to Albert Einstein College of Medicine, which eliminated tuition for all students. This transformative investment expands access to medical education for students from underrepresented communities in The Bronx, one of the nation’s most underserved areas. By fostering a more inclusive student body, philanthropy can help create a healthcare workforce that reflects the racial and socioeconomic diversity of the populations it serves.

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Catalyzing Innovation and Advocacy
Philanthropy is not just about funding—it’s about driving innovation and enabling systemic change. Often faced with razor-thin margins, philanthropy can inspire innovation and take bold measures that health systems could not otherwise risk. For example, Denver Health secured $70 million in operational funding through Ballot Measure 2Q, an effort supported by donor contributions. Meanwhile, Alameda Health System’s marketing campaign “Hella Vaxxed” successfully engaged young people during the COVID-19 pandemic vaccination efforts, demonstrating how philanthropic dollars can fuel creative, high-impact public health initiatives.
These examples illustrate how philanthropy can bridge gaps between healthcare providers, policymakers, and communities.
Healthcare institutions can apply these ideas by identifying pressing community needs and creating pilot programs that demonstrate innovative solutions, using philanthropic dollars to validate and scale successful initiatives. They can also leverage donor support to advocate for systemic change, such as securing funding through local ballot measures or public-private partnerships. Additionally, organizations can invest in creative, targeted campaigns to engage specific demographics, amplifying their message and driving impactful public health or social outcomes.
Economic and Moral Imperatives for Health Equity
For many, the moral argument for health equity is compelling: every individual deserves the opportunity to lead a healthy life, regardless of their background or circumstances. Yet the economic case is equally persuasive. Health inequities cost the US healthcare system $320 billion annually, a figure projected to exceed $1 trillion by 2040. Addressing these disparities could add $2.8 trillion to the US GDP and increase corporate profits by $763 billion over the same period. These figures highlight the profound financial benefits of investing in equitable healthcare solutions.
Philanthropy plays a pivotal role in realizing this vision. By scaling operations, driving innovation, and supporting legislative changes, donors can help healthcare organizations tackle the systemic barriers that perpetuate inequities. The result is not just healthier communities, but a stronger, more resilient economy.
Philanthropy Drives Transformative Equity in Healthcare
How philanthropy drives equity in health is not just a question of funding, but of vision. By addressing social determinants, improving diversity, and fostering innovation, philanthropy provides healthcare systems with the tools they need to create systemic change. These efforts benefit not only the most vulnerable populations but also the broader community, resulting in healthier, thriving communities.
Healthcare leaders have a unique opportunity to leverage philanthropy as a force for good. Whether funding high-impact, local interventions like pressure cuffs or supporting transformative initiatives like tuition-free medical education, philanthropy has the potential to reshape the future of healthcare.
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