I wanted to let you know that the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) just shared its 2023 RWJF Culture of Health Prize call for applications. I’m sharing this with you in hopes that you will encourage community applications from your network.

In the 10 years since it launched, the RWJF Culture of Health Prize has celebrated more than 50 communities across the country that are at the forefront of advancing health, opportunity, and equity for all. This year, RWJF is relaunching the Prize with a focus on celebrating community-led solutions that are breaking down the barriers to health and wellbeing caused by structural racism and other forms of discrimination (even if communities don’t call it that). The Prize will recognize up to 10 communities with an unrestricted $250,000 award and national recognition. Prize winners join the ranks of incredible alumni who are truly building a Culture of Health across the country.

RWJF will award this year’s Prize to selected communities that are:

• Addressing structural racism and other structural injustices to create conditions that advance health equity.
• Committing to sustainable policy, systems, environmental, and cultural changes.
• Working alongside partners across sectors, and elevating the expertise and solutions held by people with firsthand experiences of health inequities.
• Engaging in cultural work that celebrates community and envisions and advances a more just future.
• Making the most of available community resources and fostering sustainability.
• Measuring and sharing qualitative and quantitative indicators of progress in culturally relevant ways.

Partnership is at the heart of the Prize. That’s why it recognizes whole cities, towns, tribes, reservations, and counties in the U.S. To be eligible, applications should represent a combination of organizations whose partnership predates the Prize application.