In order to be eligible for this grant, you must:
- be a local organization working in communities of color or a tribal nation whose leadership and makeup reflects the populations you intend to serve
- demonstrate a successful track record of at least two years in community organizing and policy advocacy work to address health-related problems in communities of color
- be located in the United States or in U.S territories
Here are some examples of health-related policy advocacy:
- increasing regulation of or limiting alcohol outlets;
- changing laws to extend Medicaid eligibility;
- restricting land uses that pollute or otherwise compromise environmental health;
- increasing access to translation in health care and social services;
- creating policies that increase public resources for recreation in underserved communities;
- increasing alcohol and/or tobacco excise taxes; and
- creating policies to increase food access, including changes in food stamp eligibility and grocery store regulation.
Other eligibility criteria include:
- Organization classification. Your organization must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code or federally charted tribal nations. Local affiliates of national organizations are eligible to apply, but no organization classified as a private foundation under Section 509(a) can apply.
- Matching Funds Requirement. To be eligible, applicants must secure commitments for at least 10 percent of their proposed budget (up to $25,000 over three years, or approximately $8,333 per year) in cash match, with an additional minimum of 10 percent in in-kind services directly related to the effective implementation of the grant. Capital costs and existing grants may not be used to match RWJF funds.
Matching funds must be new revenues (existing grants will not be accepted) and come from sources (individual donors, membership dues, canvassing, sales) that allow for direct lobbying. RWJF funds cannot be used for lobbying.
- Concerning industry funding. Although no applicant will be disqualified for having taken funding from the food or beverage industry in the past, organizations that currently receive funding from an industry, corporation, business or other entity that markets low-nutrition food and/or beverage products to young people are not eligible to apply. Given CCHE's focus on policy advocacy, which often means stronger regulations and limitations on the corporate food and beverage industries, acceptance of industry funding and CCHE funding simultaneously will be considered a conflict. If you are unsure about a funding source and need more information concerning this requirement, please contact us.