Who funds Wellness & Wellbeing nationally

If you work in wellness and wellbeing, you already know the funding landscape is fragmented. Health systems, government agencies, and corporate wellness programs all have skin in the game. But the national foundations that move real money on this work are fewer than you might think. Knowing who they are, what they actually fund, and how they think about grants is half the battle before you ever pick up the phone.

Here's what the funders below are doing in wellness and wellbeing across the country.

Gates Foundation

The Gates Foundation distributes over $6.2 billion annually across health, education, international development, and other causes. Within health and wellness, they fund a mix of research, systems change, and global health initiatives. Their grants tend to run around $495,000, though they move money at every scale. If you're working on a major health systems issue or a wellness program with research backing, they're worth knowing. The relationship matters more than the application. See their profile

The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation

Buffett Foundation gives nearly $909 million annually, with a strong focus on health and wellness alongside social justice and economic empowerment. Their typical grants land in the high six figures, around $928,000. They fund both direct service and policy work, and they take a long view on relationships with grantees. This is a funder that builds partnerships, not one-off transactions. See their profile

William & Flora Hewlett Foundation

Hewlett distributes about $602 million a year across arts, education, human services, and health. On wellness and wellbeing, they fund prevention, community health, and systems-level work. Their typical grant is smaller than some of the others here, around $124,000, which means they fund a wider range of organizations and geographies. They're accessible, but they still expect you to know their strategy before you approach them. See their profile

Leona M & Harry B Helmsley Charitable Trust

Helmsley gives over $437 million annually, with health and medicine as a core focus area. Within wellness, they fund hospital partnerships, community health initiatives, and research. Their typical award runs around $298,000. They're particularly interested in work that bridges clinical care and community wellbeing. They fund across the country but have deep roots in New York. See their profile

Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Foundation

CZI distributes about $235 million a year and is known for funding at scale. Their typical grants are the largest in this group, often reaching into the mid-seven figures around $1.6 million. They fund health and wellness alongside education and community development, with a focus on innovation and systems change. They move fast and think big, but they're selective. Getting on their radar early matters. See their profile

Next steps

The foundations above are not a complete map of wellness funding nationally, but they're the ones moving the most money. If you're building a funder strategy, start by understanding what each one has funded recently in your specific area of wellness work. Then build the relationship before you need the grant. If you'd like Funding Findr to keep an eye on a specific funder relationship you're building, let us know.

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