Deadline: 4 November 2019
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) is seeking applications for its 20120 Culture of Health Prize to recognize communities working together to transform neighborhoods, schools, businesses, and more—so that the opportunity for better health flourishes for all.
The Culture of Health Prize elevates the compelling stories of community members throughout the country who are working together in new ways so that everyone can live their healthiest life possible, regardless of who they are or how much money they make.
Award Information
In this eighth round of the annual Prize competitive selection process, up to 10 winning communities will:
- Receive a $25,000 cash prize;
- Receive customized communications materials about their community including videos, photos, and stories captured by journalists and other communications professionals;
- Receive strategic communications guidance leading up to, during, and in follow-up to the Prize winner announcement to make the most of their Prize recognition;
- Receive national and local promotion of their stories and successes to inspire others’ efforts, including outreach to media, policymakers and networks of organizations; and
- Interact with and learn from other national and local leaders working to build a Culture of Health, including past Prize winners through the Prize Alumni Network.
Eligibility Criteria
- The RWJF Culture of Health Prize honors U.S. communities. Submissions representing the work of a single organization or initiative will not be considered.
- To be eligible to apply for a Prize, a community must be a geographically defined jurisdiction within the United States that falls into one of the following categories:
- County, parish, borough, city, town, village, or other municipality with a publicly elected governing body
- Federally recognized tribe or a state-designated Indian reservation
- Native Hawaiian organization serving and representing the interests of
- Native Hawaiians in Hawaii
- Region defined as geographically contiguous municipalities, counties, and/or reservations
- Neighborhoods and states are not eligible to apply.
- Except for previous Prize-winning communities and 2019 finalists, all past applicants are eligible to reapply for 2020 (2019 finalists may reapply in 2021).
- Communities will be asked to select two contact people for their application, preferably from two different organizations or entities to demonstrate a collaborative application. Each individual will indicate the type of organization with which they are affiliated, such as:
- Business
- Community coalition, grassroots, advocacy, or resident group
- Hospital or health care organization
- Local foundation
- Government agency or department
- School
- Non-profit community-based organization
- Community development organization
- Each applicant community will be required to designate a local U.S. governmental entity or tax-exempt public charity operating in its community to accept the $25,000 cash prize on the community’s behalf, should they win. Community partners can decide together how to use the funds to benefit the community; budget reports on Prize expenditures are not required.
Selection Criteria
There are characteristics shared by communities that catalyze and sustain positive change. Because the Prize recognizes whole communities, applicants must think beyond their own individual organizations and initiatives to what has been accomplished across the community. Applications will be judged based on the criteria below.
- Defining health in the broadest possible terms.
- Committing to sustainable systems changes and policy oriented long-term solutions.
- Creating conditions that give everyone a fair and just opportunity to reach their best possible health.
- Harnessing the collective power of leaders, partners, and community members.
- Securing and making the most of available resources.
- Measuring and sharing progress and results.
How to Apply
Applicants can apply online via given website.
For more information, please visit https://www.rwjf.org/en/library/funding-opportunities/2019/2020-culture-of-health-prize.html
