Click here to dowload a powerpoint slideshow that summarizes the CCHE initiative and grant application process.

All proposals for this program must be submitted only through the RWJF Grantmaking Online system at: http://grantmaking.rwjf.org/cche2.

In addition to providing information online, CCHE will host regional information sessions and Web conferences to answer additional questions about the program and application process.

Bookmark this page and visit often for upcoming dates and locations and to register

Application Process: What to Expect

Three Phases of the Application Process

1. Submission of Brief Proposals [should link to below text so it’s not all splayed out on the page] that describe your project
2. Those invited are asked to submit a full proposal and line-item budget for a grant
3. Fifteen prospective finalists are chosen to participate in site visits that will inform the final selection process

Phase I: Brief Proposals

Applicants must submit a brief proposal of no more than four pages in length, plus a preliminary budget of no more than one page in length. The letter should clearly describe:

• the community's food and recreation environment and the needs/problems the project will address;
• the target community (demographics, socio-economic and political context, etc.) and how the project will engage and affect racial and ethnic communities;
• project staff and leadership and their experience, skills, and relationships in racial and ethnic communities;
• the applicant organization's history of policy advocacy work;
• assets and community relationships the group will bring to the initiative (e.g., matching funds and other support, strength of community and institutional relationships, community awareness and activism on the issue); and
• disclosure of any industry funding, if applicable.

The one-page budget should be for the entire three-year period and must include RWJF funds, matching grants and any other revenues. The budget for RWJF funds must not exceed $250,000 for the three-year period.

Click here to submit your brief proposal

Phase II: Full Proposals

Up to 40 applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal of no more than 10 pages in length, accompanied by a budget and a budget narrative not to exceed three additional pages. The budget should cover the three-year grant period, be in column format, and include matching grants and other revenues. The proposal should describe:

• problems related to childhood obesity facing the community/ies in which the applicant plans to work;
• the relationships/intersectionsbetween childhood obesity and other social problems in the target community/ies;
• community resources that are available to address these problems (e.g., collaborations, support, existing policies and funding);
• proposed outcomes for the project (i.e., what the group hopes to accomplish);
• project methodology or approaches the group will employ to achieve outcomes;
• applicant’s track record on policy advocacy and community organizing around health-related issues; and
• strategies for project funding and sustainability beyond the grant period.

Additional documents. Applicants will be required to submit the following along with the proposal:

• one-page cover letter summarizing the proposal and making a specific request for support to the Foundation, indicating agreement to participate in all CCHE activities as required in the grant agreement, and assuring that RWJF funds will not be used for lobbying purposes;
• statement assuring that the applicant does not currently receive funding from the food and/or beverage industry and will not accept such funding during the grant period;
• at least three letters of support and commitment from other community partners that will collaborate and/or provide matching funds (one-page maximum per letter, no more than five letters total).

All documents should be prepared for online submission. Please contact the CCHE office should you need additional information on formatting documents for submission.

Phase III: Site Visits for Prospective Finalists

Up to 15 of the applicants in Stage II will be selected for a site visit by NPO staff, National Advisory Committee members and/or Foundation staff. Site visits will be conducted to meet key partners and to assess the applicant’s organizing capacity, ability to implement the project, community relationships and reach, and capacity to manage grant funds. Matching funds for the first year must be clearly identified by the time of the site visit. Candidates for site visits will be informed of preparation and process requirements when notified of their selection.

All applicants will be sent written notification via email of their status through each stage of the process.