Nearly 700 organizations submitted letters of interest—almost twelve times more than previous cycles.
What emerges is a clear signal about the state of the field. Organizations are pursuing ambitious strategies to influence policy and systems change, while simultaneously navigating persistent capacity constraints.
Across applications, nonprofits consistently identified gaps in staffing, infrastructure, and sustained funding as barriers to fully realizing their work.
Key Insights
What these applications revealed
The Report examines patters that emerged across those applications and reflects on what they reveal about the broader health advocacy ecosystem. Our hope is that funders and nonprofit leaders use this report as a moment to reflect on ways to improve current systems and structures in support of health justice across the US.
1. → For funders
The volume and consistency of need reflected in these applications signals a clear opportunity for funders to invest in long-term advocacy capacity—supporting not just programs, but the infrastructure required or sustained impact.
2. → For Nonprofits
Across nearly 700 applications, organizations described ambitious strategies to advance health justice—but consistently pointed to gaps in staffing, infrastructure, and sustained funding as barriers to fully realizing that work.
Demand for advocacy capacity is growing
700
Nearly 700 organizations applied to the BCHA program, demonstrating significant interest in strengthening advocacy efforts on health justice.
Small and mid-sized nonprofits are leading muchof the work
75%
Nearly 75% of applicants reported annual budgets under $5 million.
Community-rooted
leadership is central
63%
63% of applicants were BIPOC-led
organizations.
These signals point to a field with deep momentum, community-rooted leadership, and urgent capacity needs.
Many organizations are working across these approaches simultaneously —advocating for policy change while also investing in grassroots leadership, coalition building, and long-term community power.
Advocacy strategies are evolving
Organizations described a range of approaches, including policy advocacy, grassroots organizing, and civic engagement.
Capacity Gaps are Holding the field back
Staffing, insfrastructure, and long-term funding remain persistent barriers to impact
There is a clear opportunity to invest
Funders and partners have a critical role to play in strengthening advocacy capacity at scale
who should read this report
This report is designed for those shaping the future of health advocacy and investing in the systems that make it possible.
01 / 03
Nonprofits
Organizations working across policy advocacy, community organizing, and civic engagement will find their experiences reflected here—along with insights into shared challenges and opportunities to build capacity.
02 / 03
Funders
Seeking to invest in long- term advocacy capacity, this report highlights where demand is growing and where strategic investment can strengthen the infrastructure needed for sustained impact.
03 / 03
Field Leaders
Coalitions, networks, and movement leaders working to advance health equity can use these findings to better understand trends across the field and identify opportunities for alignment and collaboration.
What Comes Next
Help shape the next phase of the conversation.
Signals from the Field was designed to spark reflection, dialogue, and new thinking across philanthropy and the nonprofit sector.
The report raised important questions about advocacy infrastructure, organizational capacity, trust, sustainability, and what organizations need to build long-term power and systems change.
Now we want to hear from you. We’re continuing to gather perspectives from nonprofit leaders, funders, advocates, and partners on what this moment requires—and what may need to change to meet it.