OVERVIEW: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation is deeply involved in research, analysis, policy and journalism on public health. It mainly produces content, which it shares broadly with the media and others. Grantmaking is a small part of its operations.
IP TAKE: The Kaiser Family Foundation is not a traditional grantmaker, but it is an important organization to keep tabs on if you work in public health or health policy.Grantmaking is a very small part of what KFF does; this funder is mainly concerned with research, analysis, policy and the dissemination of information about public health. Of timely interest is the foundation’s extensive work in the area of Health Misinformation and Trust, which produces content on health misinformation stemming from social media and conservative political and governmental sources. Keep up specific topics by signing up for email alerts.
PROFILE: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, more recently known as KFF, was founded in 1948 by industrialist and shipping magnate Henry Kaiser and completely restructured in 1991 by current president and CEO Drew Altman. While Henry Kaiser co-founded Kaiser Permanente to provide health care to his employees, the foundation is not affiliated with the health care insurance firm in any way. KFF is a leader in health policy analysis and health journalism. The foundation describes itself as “a one-of-a-kind information organization.” It aims to “bring together substantial capabilities in policy research, polling, and journalism in one organization to meet the need for a trusted, independent source of information on national health issues.” Perhaps most important, KFF distinguishes itself as a “counterweight to health care’s vested interests and a voice for people.”
Unlike traditional grantmakers, Kaiser develops and runs its own programs for policy analysis, polling, journalism, public health information campaigns and health misinformation and trust. These are often conducted in partnership with major news organizations. The foundation provides media internships and fellowships to help journalists learn more about health policy issues through site visits and discussions with experts, reporters and editors.
Grants for Journalism and Public Health
KFF’s work consists mainly of its freely available health information and journalism. All content produced by the foundation is “available to other news organizations and the public free of charge.” Current areas of focus include:
- News and information about the Affordable Care Act and open enrollment;
- Data and recommendations about COVID-19 and vaccinations;
- Journalism projects covering Global Health Policy;
- Policy, analysis and information relating to Health Costs, Private Insurance, the Uninsured and Patient and Consumer Protections in the U.S;
- A clearinghouse of research and journalism on Health Misinformation and Trust;
- Information about the state of HIV/AIDS care;
- Updates on changes to Medicare and Medicaid programs;
- Articles and updates about Mental Health, including substance abuse and behavioral health;
- Information about Women’s Health Policy and Racial Equity and Health Policy.
In addition to the creation and sharing of health content, KFF has awarded grants for public health, medical and nursing education and health policy development. Past grantees include the National League for Nursing, the Maine Medical Center, Stanford Health Care and Somos Amigos Medical Missions of Puerto Rico.
In years past, the foundation also awarded fellowships for health journalism, but these programs appear to have been paused or discontinued.
Grants for Education
Tax filings indicate that KFF also awards grants for education, although it is unclear if these grants support health education programs. Grantees include Boston University, Los Angeles’s Marlborough School, St. Michael Special School in new Orleans, the University of California Oakland and the University of Alabama, among others.
Important Grant Details:
Grants range from about $5,000 to $59,000.
- Content available at KFF’s website is free and available for use by media organizations and others. See the permissions page for details.
- The foundation does not provide information about its grantmaking or how it selects grantees. For additional information, see KFF’s tax filings.
- To keep up with emerging opportunities, sign up for the foundation’s email alerts on a range of topics or follow social media accounts linked to the bottom of the site.
- Submit questions to KFF via the form on its contact page. The foundation’s phone number is listed as (650) 854-9400.
PEOPLE:
Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).
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