Data to Improve Community Conditions Shaped by Structural Racism

Introduction & Purpose

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) is committed to building a Culture of Health where everyone in America has a fair and just opportunity to live the healthiest life possible. But the current reality is that there are large, persistent, and increasing gaps in opportunities for health and well-being across neighborhoods and communities. To achieve health equity, RWJF works to identify and remove the barriers that create such disparities.

The COVID-19 pandemic underscored that wealth, racism, and privilege continue to play an outsized role in how long and how well people live. It’s important that our data can capture and help address structural racism that creates inequities in community conditions.

The purpose of this call for proposals is to provide grants for organizations to use data to inform efforts to improve community conditions shaped by structural racism. We believe that such support is critical for building data capacity in communities to advance health equity.

RWJF expects to award up to 35 individual grants of $40,000 each, with a period of performance of nine months. Nonprofit organizations based in the U.S. are eligible to apply for this opportunity. The National Neighborhood Indicators Partnership at Urban Institute is collaborating with RWJF on program design and grantee support.

April 20, 2022 (3 p.m. ET): Deadline for receipt of registration of intent to apply.

Eligibility & Selection Criteria

• Awards will be made to organizations, not individuals.
• Applicant organizations must be either public entities or nonprofit organizations that are tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) or Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code.
• Universities, whether public or private, are ineligible to apply, but are eligible to partner with an applicant that is a 501(c)(3) or Section 501(c)(4) organization.
• Applicant organizations must be based in the United States or its territories.
• Organizations may only submit one proposal.
• Applicants may include funding in their budget for up to 50 percent of the total budget for collaborating organizations.

Key Dates & Deadlines

April 6, 2022 (3 p.m. ET)
Optional applicant webinar. The webinar will be recorded and included as a resource in the applicant portal. Registration is required through this link.

April 20, 2022 (3 p.m. ET)
Deadline for receipt of registration of intent to apply.

May 2, 2022 
All eligible registered organizations will receive an invitation to apply.

May 26, 2022 (3 p.m. ET)
Deadline for receipt of full proposals.

Mid-July 2022
Award notifications.

September 1, 2022
Grant award start date.

Total Awards

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) expects to award up to 35 individual grants of $40,000 each, with a period of performance of nine months.