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Welcome to Grantmakers In Health’s (GIH) Call for Session Proposals for the 2025 GIH Annual Conference on Health Philanthropy, Forging Partnerships for a Better Tomorrow, which will be held in-person in New Orleans, Louisiana, on June 16-20, 2025.

Solving large, complex societal issues not only compels funders to use their resources in new and creative ways, but requires them to build strong, lasting partnerships with a wide range of public and private stakeholders. As we mark the 60th anniversary of the Medicare and Medicaid Act and the start of a new administration, as well as reflect on 20 years of rebuilding since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the power of partnership stands as a key force for improving health for all.

The 2025 GIH annual conference is an important opportunity for funders to collectively explore innovative, multisectoral partnerships at the local, state, and national levels that advance health and equity. We’re looking for sessions that highlight how funders effectively partner with diverse stakeholders, bring community voice and expertise to partnerships, and identify key learnings from these collaborations. We are particularly interested in sessions that reflect our Strategic Plan, which centers health equity and social justice along with themes of access and quality, community engagement and empowerment, population health, and philanthropic growth and impact. Since the 2024 elections will be behind us and a new administration will be in the White House, we are also interested in sessions that align with GIH’s policy priorities and spotlight how funders are engaging in policy and advocacy to advance policies for the public’s health at all levels of government. Given the location of this year’s conference, sessions addressing the above issues, as well as climate-related disaster prevention and recovery, in New Orleans and Southern Louisiana, are encouraged.

The most successful, highly rated annual conference sessions include new voices and diverse perspectives; allow for thoughtful reflection and candid conversation; avoid traditional meeting formats; and actively inform, inspire, and engage in-person participants.

Who Can Submit Session Proposals?

Health funders administering charitable grantmaking, such as foundations, corporate giving programs, and other grantmaking institutions; operating foundations; regranting institutions; federal, state, and local government agencies; national and regional philanthropy serving organizations; academic institutions working on projects related to philanthropy or health; and philanthropic advisors that manage philanthropic funds such as banks, trust companies, or private firms.

What Types of Sessions Can Be Proposed? 

Breakout Sessions

These are 60-minute concurrent sessions. Descriptions of breakout session types are below.

• Peer Dialogues: One-hour roundtable discussions in which session leaders pose targeted questions and offer key insights designed to generate attendee discussion, peer learning, and idea exchange. Peer dialogues are an ideal format for networking, relationship-building, brainstorming, and strategy development. Limited to four speakers (or three speakers and a session moderator).
• Case Studies: One-hour sessions sharing candid, real-world examples of philanthropic initiatives, describing what worked and what didn’t, and answering questions from the audience. Limited to four speakers (or three speakers and a session moderator).
• Panel Presentations: One-hour sessions that feature a coordinated presentation by panelists, followed by audience Q&A. Sessions that feature panelists and examples from more than one region or organization are preferred. Limited to four speakers (or three speakers and a session moderator).

Learning Labs

These are 90-minute workshops led by experienced practitioners focused on strategies, principles, and tactics relevant to attendees’ work. These longer, skill-building sessions allow for creative formats that engage participants in peer-to-peer exchanges such as small group activities and discussions or skill-building exercises. Limited to four speakers (or three speakers and a session moderator).

Quick Takes

These are 30-minute sessions that include presentations delivered in 20 minutes or less and 10 minutes for audience discussion. They should be structured as compelling talks on innovative ideas and new approaches or lively demonstrations of digital tools. Proposals should include a link to the proposed speaker(s) in action, if possible. Limited to no more than two speakers.

Site Visits

These are three-hour visits that explore local communities, organizations, or programs doing great work. Proposals should indicate the maximum number of attendees the site visit location can accommodate in person, and the length of the program should allow for travel time. Limited to four speakers (or three speakers and a site visit guide).

How Do I Submit a Session Proposal?

To submit a proposal, you will need to create a username and password and complete all required fields. This includes contact information for the session designer(s) and proposed speakers.

You will also be asked to submit the following information about your proposed session:

1. Title: Up to 100-character title of your proposed session.

2. Abstract: Up to 300-character description of your proposed session. An edited version of this title and description will be used in our conference materials if your session is selected.

3. Objectives: Up to 3,000 characters explaining the primary objectives of your session. Will it explore a timely topic? Introduce a provocative idea? Share learnings from leading-edge research or innovative practice? Share insights on what worked and what didn’t? Reflect changing conversations in health philanthropy?  Please also use this space to describe key takeaways for participants.

4. Content Description: Up to 3,000 characters explaining the content of your session and what makes it unique and why it is of interest to health funders. There is no need for detailed background and data on your session’s issue. Please also address questions such as: Will the session lift up new voices? Include diverse perspectives? Feature dynamic speakers?

5. Format Description: Up to 1,000 characters describing your session format. What makes the format of your session compelling? Will it allow time for thoughtful reflection and candid conversation? Will it make use of effective and intentional moderation? Will it include group activities, simulations, sample documents, or videos? Will participants leave the session with insights or tools that can be put into action?

Associated Costs

• GIH does not cover costs related to speaker participation at the annual conference. Session designers are expected to cover conference-related costs including conference registration, hotel accommodations, travel expenses, and any honoraria, for speakers who are not affiliated with a philanthropic organization. 
• Speakers who are affiliated with philanthropic organizations are expected to cover their own conference-related costs as defined above.
• All speakers are required to register for the conference. Speakers attending only their session can register free of charge. Speakers attending the entire conference can register at the reduced GIH Funding Partner rate.

Session Proposal Selection

Proposals are reviewed by a committee of health funders representing the diversity of the field, as well as by GIH staff. Priority will be given to sessions designed to promote candid insights, audience participation, and active learning as well as alignment with the 2025 annual conference priorities described at the top of this page.

Notification of Acceptance

You will receive a confirmation email within 24 hours acknowledging receipt of your completed proposal. You will be notified about the status of your proposal by the end of January 2025. GIH may request that alterations be made to a proposed session so that it more closely reflects the goals and objectives of the annual conference.

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If you have questions, please contact Kate Treanor at ktreanor@gih.org or 202-534-3009.