Adopted October 27, 2004, and Amended on July 26, 2023

I. Purpose

The purposes of the Nominating and Governance Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (the “Foundation”) are to develop, recommend, oversee the implementation of, and periodically evaluate the governance policies for the Foundation; to establish criteria for Trustees; and to assist the Board with the identification, screening, recruitment, selection, and orientation of new Trustees.

II. Responsibilities and Duties

The Committee shall have the following responsibilities:

  • Develop, recommend, oversee the implementation of, and periodically evaluate the Foundation’s governance policies (unless the responsibility therefor is allocated to another committee of the Board) in light of the Foundation’s mission and Guiding Principles and its charitable purposes and recommend to the Board any proposed amendments or modifications to such policies.
  • Develop, recommend, oversee the implementation of, and periodically evaluate the Foundation’s criteria for Trustees generally, particularly with respect to attributes that are desirable to improve the diversity of Board member perspectives and backgrounds.
  • Consider, in light of the Foundation’s mission and charitable purposes, and adopt appropriate standards of independence for Board and Board committee members.
  • Conduct searches for prospective Trustees, and present nominees to the Board for consideration and approval and consider and advise whether current Trustees should stand for reelection.
  • Recommend to the Board that the number of Trustees be reset at any meeting to reflect the number of Trustees then serving.
  • Develop and carry out regular programs of orientation for new Trustees and continuing education for all Trustees on governance issues and other topics related to the Board’s function.
  • Develop and periodically carry out an evaluation of the Board and its committees, including individual Trustee participation and performance.
  • Consider and present to the Board for consideration and approval the nominees for annual election as the Chair of the Board, president and chief executive officer, and other officers of the Foundation.
  • Recommend for appointment by the Board, members of the Board committees and their Chairs.
  • Recommend to the Board for approval the appropriate compensation for Board and committee members other than the Chair of the Board.
  • Periodically review and evaluate the structure and organization of the Board and its processes for effective oversight of the Foundation, consistent with its mission and charitable purposes, and recommend to the Board proposed modifications thereto.
  • Periodically review and evaluate the Foundation’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and other governing documents, including the Foundation’s Guiding Principles, and recommend to the Board any proposed amendments or modifications.
  • Periodically review and evaluate the functions and charters of Board committees and recommend to the Board any proposed modifications thereto.
  • Periodically review and evaluate the adequacy of this charter and recommend to the Board any appropriate amendments or modifications.
  • Perform such other responsibilities and duties relating to the governance of the Foundation as the Committee believes to be in the best interests of the Foundation and its constituencies and in furtherance of its mission and charitable purposes.
  • Ensure that considerations to address potential inequities tied to race, gender, disability, among other factors, and to advance race+ equity, are factored into and codified across Committee practices and decisions.

III. Composition

The Committee shall consist of not less than three members of the Board. Members of the Committee shall be appointed annually by the Board from among its members. In addition, the president and chief executive officer shall be a member of the Committee without voting rights. Officers and employees of the Foundation other than the chief executive officer shall not be eligible to serve on the Committee. The members of the Committee may not receive any compensation from the Foundation except the fees that they receive for service as a member of the Board or any committee thereof. The Committee may form and delegate its authority to subcommittees, as it deems appropriate. The Board may appoint the Committee’s Chair, but if the Board has not appointed a Chair, the Committee shall elect a Chair from among its members.

IV. Meetings

The Committee shall meet at least annually and more frequently as circumstances require or as the Committee’s Chair or as any two Committee members may request. The Chair shall set the agenda for each meeting in consultation with the other members. The Committee may request that any Trustees, officers, or employees of the Foundation, or other persons whose advice and counsel are sought by the Committee, attend any meeting of the Committee and/or provide such pertinent information as the Committee requests.

V. Investigations and Studies; Outside Advisors

The Committee may conduct or authorize investigations into or studies of matters within the scope of the Committee’s responsibilities, and may retain, at the Foundation’s expense, independent counsel and such other advisors, experts, and other nonvoting professionals as it deems necessary or appropriate to carry out its duties. The Committee shall have the authority to retain or terminate any search firm to be used to identify Trustee candidates, including authority to approve the search firm’s fees and other retention terms. All fees and expenses authorized by the Committee shall be promptly paid by the Foundation.