RWJF SPORTS AWARD

2018 Call for Applications

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Sports Award recognizes sports teams, athletes, and community-based organizations that use sports to catalyze and sustain changes to make communities healthier places to live, learn, work, and play.

Call for Applications Is Now Open

We want to hear from organizations that are using sports in innovative and collaborative ways to make their communities a healthier place to live.

Application deadline:

July 2, 2018, 5:00 p.m. ET

Release Date: May 7, 2018

Apply Now

Racism and Health—A Humbling Moment for RWJF

Richard Besser, RWJF president and CEO, explains how last year’s Sports Award was hurtful to American Indians, and how that prompted the Foundation to look inward, make changes, and more clearly recognize racism and discrimination as factors in health.

Read the USA Today Op-Ed

RWJF Sports Award

How do you use sports as a platform to address the root causes that influence health and health equity?

RWJF celebrates, supports, and raises awareness for ways sports are being used to help people achieve health and well-being, especially those who are facing the greatest challenges.

Meet the RWJF Sports Award Winners

2017 Winners

The San Francisco Giants Community Fund

The Giants Community Fund collaborates with the San Francisco Giants by using baseball as a forum to encourage underserved youth and their families to live healthy, productive lives. Watch their video.

The Moyer Foundation

The Moyer Foundation provides comfort, hope, and healing to children and families affected by grief and addiction by addressing critical their needs and overwhelming emotions associated with the death of someone close to them or substance abuse in their family. Watch their video.

PeacePlayers International

PeacePlayers International uses the power of sport to unite, educate and inspire young people to create a more peaceful world.

2016 Winners

Flutie Foundation

The Flutie Foundation helps people with autism get access to care, lead more active lifestyles, and grow toward adult independence. Watch their video.

MLSE Foundation

The MLSE Foundation believes all kids should have access to sport and the opportunity to both develop and pursue lasting dreams on the playing field. Watch their video.

InnerCity Weight Lifting

InnerCity Weightlifting reduces youth violence by connecting proven-risk young people with new networks and opportunities, including meaningful career tracks in and beyond personal fitness. Read related blog post.

2015 Winners

Chicago Fire Foundation

Chicago Fire Foundation's programs—P.L.A.Y.S. and Premier Skills—have allowed them to help build healthier communities and provide safe play spaces for those in need.

Tony Hawk Foundation

The Tony Hawk Foundation provides spaces for children to be active, maintain a healthy lifestyle, play safely and use sports to increase self-esteem and leadership skills. Watch their video.

Doc Wayne Youth Services

Doc Wayne Youth Services' work fuses sport and therapy to heal and strengthen youth suffering from a variety of mental health challenges. Watch their video and read the related blog post.

How We Work

Our Focus Areas

About RWJF

Quick Links