A Culture of Health recognizes that where we live – such as our access to affordable homes, quality schools, good jobs, and reliable transportation – affects how long and how well we live. People in communities throughout the country 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. The coronavirus pandemic, ongoing racial injustices, and growing inequity across the nation underscore the importance of community conditions and collective efforts for all residents to have a fair and just opportunity for health. A Culture of Health is happening in diverse places – in cities, counties, tribes, regions and rural towns – representing a myriad of environmental, economic, and social strengths and challenges. Though each place’s journey looks different, communities’ actions all show us what a Culture of Health can look like.

The RWJF Culture of Health Prize (the Prize) elevates the compelling stories of places where residents are working together to transform education, jobs, transportation, housing, and more so better health flourishes for all.

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

*Communities within U.S. territories are welcome to apply. Communities in places that may have unique governance structures (such as U.S. territories, Alaska, and Hawaii) should contact the Prize program with eligibility questions well in advance of the application deadline.

Neighborhoods and states are not eligible to apply. 

Applicants representing the work of a single organization are not eligible to apply. 

Except for previous Prize-winning communities and 2020 finalists, all past applicants are eligible to reapply for 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. The type of organization with which the contacts are affiliated will be requested, 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 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.

Phase I
October 15, 2020 (3 p.m. ET)
Phase I Applications (for all applicant communities) due.

Phase II
November 13, 2020
Invitations extended to select applicant communities to submit Phase II Applications.

December 21, 2020 (3 p.m. ET)
Phase II Applications (for invited communities) due.

Phase III
February 16, 2021
Invitations extended to finalist communities to participate in the Site Visit Phase.

Spring 2021
Site visits with finalist communities.

Recognition Phase
Fall 2021
National announcement of winners and celebration event.

In this ninth round of the annual Prize competition, up to 10 winning communities will:

• A $25,000 prize;
• Communications funds to help share their story. Communities will have the opportunity to determine the communications tools that will support their work best.
• Strategic guidance and training from communications professionals. Communities will receive support and resources to aid in the national and local promotion of their stories and training to improve media skills.
• National and local promotion. Stories will be shared to inspire others’ efforts, such as outreach to media, policymakers and networks of organizations.
• Opportunities to expand networks. Winners will have opportunities to connect with other national and local leaders working to build a Culture of Health such as past Prize-winning communities.