2026 GIH Annual Conference Policies and Waivers

Non-Solicitation Policy

Grantmakers In Health (GIH) strives to create a space for funders to learn from and connect with one another; a space for candid conversation that is free of solicitation. Non-funder attendees who join us for the annual conference should keep the following guidelines in mind:

• Fundraising and client solicitation are prohibited at the GIH annual conference. While it is permissible to follow up with contacts made at the meeting at their invitation, we ask that this not happen in advance of the meeting.
• We do not allow additional or substitute representatives from a non-funder attendee’s organization to attend any portion of the meeting.
• For those organizations that both raise funds and make grants, we ask that your participation during the meeting activities be as a funder only (unless as part of your session participation).
• Contact information available through the conference app is for networking purposes only. Non-funders should not add an individual’s contact information to your organization’s mailing list without that person’s permission.

Code of Conduct Policy

The GIH annual conference is a space dedicated to learning, and it is important to us that all participants feel welcome and safe. GIH appreciates your partnership in ensuring that the professional environment we share is one defined by mutual respect and inclusiveness, where dignity and diversity are valued. GIH is committed to a harassment-free experience for all event participants and expects all participants to treat other participants with respect and behave with the high degree of integrity expected of the philanthropic field. GIH does not tolerate harassment of conference participants in any form and will review and respond to reports of harassment. 

If you experience or witness offensive language, inappropriate behavior, or harassment of any kind while attending a GIH event or program, please alert a member of the GIH staff, or contact us at info@gih.org. 

Registration Eligibility

The GIH annual conference is open to health funders administering charitable grantmaking, such as foundations, corporate giving programs, and other grantmaking institutions; operating foundations; regranting institutions; national and regional philanthropy serving organizations; and philanthropic advisors as defined in our eligibility criteria. 

Nonprofits; federal, state, and local government agencies; and academic institutions working on projects related to philanthropy or health that benefits health philanthropy and aligns with GIH’s mission, vision, and values may also be eligible. 

Please contact Arkia René at arene@gih.org with questions about conference eligibility.

Ineligible Registrations

All registrations are reviewed to ensure they meet the GIH eligibility policy. GIH reserves the right to refuse or cancel ineligible registrations at any time and shall not be held accountable for any outside fees associated with this cancellation.

GIH Social Media Policy

Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Instagram, and BlueSky by using #GIHAC in your posts and tagging us! We will be posting photos and highlights of the conference in real-time—give GIH a follow to stay updated.

Please note that plenary presentations and panelists’ remarks are considered on the record and quotable, but that GIH follows the Chatham House Rule for question-and-answer periods and group discussions.

Participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speakers(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed.

Photography/Video/Audio Taping Release

GIH strives to capture the community, peer-learning environment of our conferences. To do so, we photograph and record various aspects of the conference, and your image and voice might be captured. Furthermore, we may use these photographs and videos for future distribution and promotional purposes in our print and online communications materials. 

By participating in this conference and/or being present at the venue, you authorize GIH to use and reproduce any photographs taken, without compensation. All negatives, photographic prints, and digital photo files shall constitute GIH property, solely and completely.  If you would like to opt-out, please contact gih@aspecialgathering.com.  

Conference Liability Waiver

Attendees hereby assume all risks related to participating in this event, and waive, release and discharge Grantmakers In Health and their directors, board members, officers, and employees from any and all liability. Attendees agree to indemnify, hold harmless, and promise not to sue the entities or persons mentioned above from any and all liabilities or claims made as a result of participation in this activity or event.

Cancellation Policy

For questions regarding registration, please email gih@aspecialgathering.com.

Media Guidelines

GIH annual conference plenary sessions are open to the media, but the audience Q&A segments follow the Chatham House Rule:

Participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speakers(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed.

All other sessions, including breakouts, learning labs, site visits, and receptions are off the record and closed to the media. Members of the media interested in covering the GIH annual conference plenary sessions should reach out to Jeff Barrus, Director of Communications, at jbarrus@gih.org or by phone at 202.534.3008 with any questions. 

Health Guidelines

GIH is committed to providing annual conference attendees with a safe and healthy environment. If you are not feeling well, experience symptoms of COVID-19 or other illnesses, or have had close contact with someone who is ill, in the days prior to the event, please do not participate. We strongly recommend that all attendees be fully vaccinated, including boosters against COVID-19, prior to attending.