Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Culture of Health Prize

Deadline: March 29, 2023

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Culture of Health Prize (“the Prize”) honours the work of communities that foster health and well-being for all by addressing systemic inequities. In the ten years since its launch, the Prize has recognized more than 50 communities nationwide at the forefront of advancing health, opportunity, and equity for all. The Prize inspires change and highlights community-led solutions that break down the barriers to health and well-being caused by structural racism and other forms of discrimination.

The Prize shines a light on communities paving the way to health equity, from cities and counties to tribes and regions. Every community’s journey and strategies are unique. Still, across the board, Prize communities create and sustain a Culture of Health through deep cross-sector partnerships, efforts led by those directly affected by inequities, and sustainable solutions that address policy, systems, and environmental factors. 

In 2023, RWJF will select up to 10 winning communities through a competitive selection process to receive a range of resources and supports, including the following:

• A $250,000 Prize.
• National and local promotion of communities’ stories that will inspire others’ efforts.
• Training to enhance outreach to media, policymakers, advocacy networks, and grassroots organizations.
• Opportunities to expand networks by connecting with other Prize communities and national and local leaders working to build a Culture of Health.
• Access to technical assistance, coaching, and workshops to enable Prize winners to accelerate their progress.

This call for applications seeks communities that exemplify the six Prize selection criteria described below. These criteria illustrate important aspects of what it takes for communities to build a Culture of Health.

SEE ALSO: Bayer Foundation Fellowships 2023

Eligibility Criteria

The following eligibility criteria reflect that the RWJF Culture of Health Prize honours the work of communities that bring health equity to life by addressing systemic inequities. First and foremost, the Prize recognizes diverse, cross-sector partnerships that centre people most impacted by local or regional health inequities and the opportunities they see to improve health and well-being. Some examples are economic opportunity, housing justice, healthcare access, criminal legal reform, and many other topics. The Prize is awarded to whole cities, towns, tribes, reservations, or counties. 

Eligible applicants must represent one of the following:  

• City, town, village, borough, or other municipality with a publicly elected governing body;  
• County or parish;  
• Federally recognized tribe or a state-designated American Indian reservation;  
• Native Hawaiian organization serving and representing the interests of Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders in Hawaii;  
• The region is defined as geographically contiguous municipalities, counties, and/or reservations.

Partnership within communities is at the heart of the Prize. Applicants should represent multiple unique organizations whose partnership predates the Prize application to be eligible. 

Types of organizations include, but are not limited to:

• Businesses
• Community coalitions
• Community development organizations
• Government agencies or departments
• Grassroots and advocacy organizations
• Hospital or healthcare organizations
• Local and regional foundations
• Nonprofit community-based organizations
• Resident groups
• Schools

To be eligible for the Prize, applications must designate a local U.S. government entity or tax-exempt 501(c)(3) public charity operating within the community to accept the $250,000 Prize on the community’s behalf should they win. Community partners can decide how to use the unrestricted funds to benefit the community; budget reports on Prize expenditures are not required.

Application Registration Deadline: 29th March 2023

To Apply: Click here

Official Website: Click here