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The $361 Million Impact: 5 Shocking Ways The New York State Health Foundation Is Changing NY Health In 2025

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The New York State Health Foundation (NYSHealth) is operating with renewed focus in late 2025, deploying its substantial financial assets to tackle the most pressing and complex public health challenges across the Empire State. As of the latest available 2024 data, the Foundation boasts total assets of $361 million, positioning it as a major force in grantmaking and advocacy. The Foundation is not just a grantmaker; it has actively positioned itself as a "changemaker," using its influence and resources to shape policy and drive measurable improvements in health equity, access, and quality throughout New York. With the New York State Department of Health rolling out the ambitious Prevention Agenda 2025–2030, NYSHealth’s current initiatives are strategically aligned to support statewide health improvement plans, focusing on critical areas like food security, the healthcare workforce crisis, and the unique needs of vulnerable populations. The following five areas represent the most significant and recent strategic shifts and funding priorities that are actively redefining the landscape of New York's health.

The Leadership and Financial Engine Driving NYSHealth's 2025 Strategy

The strategic direction of the New York State Health Foundation is spearheaded by its President and CEO, David Sandman, Ph.D., who was unanimously selected by the Board of Directors following a nationwide search. Dr. Sandman's vision emphasizes using all of the Foundation's tools—grantmaking, policy analysis, and advocacy—to achieve systemic change.

David Sandman, Ph.D. - President and CEO

  • Role: President and CEO of the New York State Health Foundation (NYSHealth).
  • Vision: To transform NYSHealth into a "changemaker, more than just a grantmaker," leveraging all organizational resources to influence policy and drive systemic health improvement.
  • Recent Focus: Publicly shared a "Wish List for a Healthier New York in 2026," outlining key policy and investment priorities.
  • Advocacy Areas: Strong advocate for improved access to care, health equity, and support for vulnerable groups, including veterans and rural communities.

Key Financial Metrics (2024 Data)

NYSHealth operates with a substantial financial base, enabling its extensive grant programs and policy work across the state.

  • Total Assets: $361 Million.
  • Total Revenue: $145 Million.
  • Total Expenses: $17.5 Million.

1. The Critical Push to Solve New York’s Healthcare Workforce Crisis

One of the most immediate and impactful areas of NYSHealth's recent funding is the direct response to the pervasive healthcare worker shortage across New York State. A 2024 study highlighted the continuation of critical staffing shortages in various healthcare roles. Recognizing this as a fundamental threat to service quality and access, NYSHealth has allocated significant resources to bolster the workforce pipeline.

In a major 2024 action, the Foundation awarded $500,000 to strengthen health care infrastructure specifically to address this labor crisis. This funding is crucial for organizations focused on recruitment, retention, and training programs aimed at stabilizing the healthcare system. The initiative supports a range of roles, from frontline nurses and technicians to mental health professionals, ensuring that the state's health infrastructure can meet the growing demand for services.

2. Targeted Investment in Rural Health Equity and Access

Despite the focus on major metropolitan areas, a significant portion of NYSHealth’s recent grantmaking is dedicated to closing the health gap in New York’s rural counties. These areas often face unique challenges, including limited access to specialty care, transportation barriers, and a lack of local health resources.

The Foundation demonstrated its commitment to this issue in early 2024 by awarding a $150,000 grant to bolster health in rural counties through the New York State Association for Rural Health. This funding is designed to support local, community-based strategies that improve health outcomes and increase access to essential services for rural residents. The focus on rural health is a clear indication of NYSHealth's commitment to achieving comprehensive health equity across all of New York's diverse regions.

3. The "Healthy Food, Healthy Lives" Initiative and Food Security

NYSHealth recognizes that health is inextricably linked to social determinants, with food security being a primary factor. The "Healthy Food, Healthy Lives" initiative is a cornerstone of the Foundation's recent work, aiming to improve access to nutritious, affordable food, especially in underserved communities.

In 2024, the Foundation selected a new cohort of grant recipients for this initiative, supporting organizations across the state that are implementing innovative strategies to fight food insecurity. These projects include efforts to expand farmers' markets in low-income neighborhoods, establish community gardens, and improve the efficiency of food bank distribution networks. By addressing the root cause of poor nutrition, NYSHealth is making a long-term investment in preventing diet-related chronic diseases and promoting overall wellness.

4. Advocating for Older Veterans and Mental Health Support

The Foundation maintains a strong focus on vulnerable populations, with a notable emphasis on New York's veterans, particularly older veterans, and their unique health needs. This commitment extends beyond traditional grantmaking into direct policy advocacy.

In 2024 and 2025, NYSHealth has provided testimony and leveraged its platform to highlight the specific challenges faced by older veterans in New York City, including access to mental health services and coordinated care. Furthermore, a long-standing priority of the Foundation, as articulated by Dr. Sandman, is the push for greater access to Veterans Treatment Courts (VTCs). These specialized courts are crucial for diverting veterans with substance abuse or mental health issues away from the criminal justice system and into treatment, demonstrating the Foundation's integrated approach to health and social justice.

5. The Strategic Alignment with New York’s Prevention Agenda 2025–2030

The Foundation is strategically aligning its future work with the New York State Department of Health’s multi-year improvement plan, the Prevention Agenda 2025–2030. This state-led plan outlines key health priorities for the coming years, and NYSHealth is positioning itself to be a primary non-governmental engine driving these goals.

The development of the Prevention Agenda's priorities involved extensive stakeholder engagement, a process that NYSHealth actively contributes to and supports. By coordinating its funding cycles and research efforts with the state's official health improvement plan, the Foundation ensures its investments have maximum systemic impact. This collaborative strategy is a powerful model for how private philanthropy can work hand-in-hand with public health initiatives to create a healthier New York for all residents.

The Foundation's forward-looking approach is best captured in its "Wish List for a Healthier New York in 2026," which calls for continued focus on health equity, policy changes to support the safety net, and innovative solutions to persistent health access problems. As NYSHealth enters this new phase, its role as a "changemaker" is more pronounced than ever, utilizing its substantial assets to influence policy, fund groundbreaking initiatives, and ultimately improve the lives of New Yorkers.

The $361 Million Impact: 5 Shocking Ways The New York State Health Foundation Is Changing NY Health in 2025
new york state health foundation
new york state health foundation

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