Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

8 survey respondents

Location: Po Box 2316, Princeton, 08543 NJ

EIN: 22-6029397

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60%

40%

What was the overall relationship with the funder?

How many hours did the grant application process take?

20 hours

Median

44%

56%

How would you rate this funder's accessibility?

57%

43%

How successfully do you think the funder is accomplishing its current philanthropic goals?

Important Information

2017 Deadlines:

Types of Grants Awarded:

Geographic Focus:

Interests/Priorities

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Financial Summary

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Total Assets:

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Change in Assets FY :

Amount of Grants to Minnesota Nonprofits:

Sample Grants to Minnesota Nonprofits in

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Top descriptors for this funder

3Friendly3Responsive2Bureaucratic2Builds relationships2Culturally sensitive2Openminded1Culturally incompetent1Difficult to work with1Doesn't "get" nonprofits and issues1Inadvertently exerts negative influence in the field1Risk averse1"Gets" nonprofits and issues

Advice from a Friend

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Aug 21, 2024

Reviewer 2114 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2024

As with many of these huge foundations, and even more recently small one, if you don't have an "in"...whatever that may be, forget it. You won't be funded. As a small nonprofit in the midwest that does amazing work saving lives, the big foundations, like RWJF dismiss us. So, another piece of advice, if you are a smaller nonprofit that doesn't have full time grant writers, don't waste your time.

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Feb 14, 2019

Reviewer 461 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2016

Our experience with RWJF was fantastic. We received funding for a three-year project, with the project officer always available for questions and annual meeting with the 11 awardees helping to keep everyone on track and creating a very collaborative environment. As the grant writer and responsible for grant implementation & compliance, I was very pleased with our relationship and experience in working with RWJF.

Pros

Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Risk taker, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive

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Feb 08, 2019 1

Reviewer 2427 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2017

They talk a lot about health equity but they only want to do place-based approaches. There is no consideration for topic-based approaches, for communities that DO define themselves as a community. Like LGBTQ community, mental health advocates, or "the organic gardening community." NOne of these are viewed as a valid form of community, only big city-wide coalitions. Way too much emphasis on coalitions when coalitions are harmful to grassroots advocates.

Cons

Inadvertently exerts negative influence in the field, Doesn't "get" nonprofits and issues, Culturally incompetent, Bureaucratic, Risk averse

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Feb 21, 2018 3

Grant Applicant - applied before 2014

RWJF had a frustratingly complex and overly bureaucratic process. I did not prepare or negotiate the proposal but had to execute and report on it which was hellish. The program officer demanded we set up monthly meetings then would routinely not show up to them or cancel them minutes before hand. I requested an adjustment to the allocation--in writing--and received an approval from the PO in an email, which I saved. The approval was later rescinded because I did not include the grant number in the subject line of the email and it didn't get processed. This resulted in the project not being able to access all of the funds approved.

Cons

Difficult to work with, Bureaucratic

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Feb 20, 2018 3

Grant Applicant - applied in 2017

You need to have a personal relationship with this organization and I would recommend allowing several years to develop this relationship before seeing any funding. Our experience was a little different - we were funded via an award the foundation presents. I honestly think our win was based on a personal relationship rather than an honest evaluation of our programming impact. We have been able to have additional conversations about the future but they have been vague and I do not currently see a strong enough fit with what we do to what they are funding. Wish the program officers were more forthcoming about what they see in the future. Feel a bit strung along.

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Oct 09, 2017

Reviewer 305 - Professional in the field

If you are in, this is great money. If you are looking to the Foundation to spend their money on evidence based work with strong accountability you could be disappointed (depending on the program officers and program.)

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Aug 30, 2017 1

Grant Applicant - applied in 2016

Be prepared to give credit to RWJF for all the work they fund you to do.

Pros

Friendly, Responsive

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Jun 30, 2017

Reviewer 851 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2016

A personal introduction opened the door for us as a new grantee.

Pros

Culturally sensitive, Friendly, Builds relationships, Openminded, Responsive

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Robert Wood Johnson Foundation