RWJF Invites Proposals for Parks, Green Spaces in Small and Midsize Cities Program – Sep 9

Posted by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation on August 18, 2020

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has issued a call for proposals for its Equitable Parks and Green Spaces in Small and Midsize Cities: Planning Grant.

According to the foundation, the COVID-19 pandemic has increased recognition of the crucial role that parks and green spaces play in providing an outlet from the stress of indoor confinement. However, parks and green spaces are not equitably distributed across cities. Low-income communities and communities of color experience a range of negative effects from disinvestment, including a lack of quality parks. Green infrastructure is particularly needed in low-income neighborhoods and communities of color that — due to historic housing discrimination and residential segregation — often are located in flood-prone areas; are exposed to disproportionately higher heat levels; air pollution and other environmental risks; and have fewer resources to prepare for and recover from extreme weather events and climate change.

To that end, RWJF seeks an organization (or up to three collaborating organizations) to plan an initiative that, by influencing policy and systems change, rectifies the inequitable distribution of parks and green spaces in low-income communities and communities of color in urban regions, including small and midsize cities (pop. 50,000–500,000). Applicants should have the capacity to implement the planned effort, which will be funded separately. Proposals should review and synthesize prior research, scans, and design documents to inform a new strategy; identify gaps in knowledge; develop a plan for the effort, including a description of the key components; consult with relevant stakeholders — either through an advisory body or key informant interviews — to iterate and finalize the plan; and develop an implementation strategy, timeline, and resource needs to realize the planned effort.

The foundation expects to award a single planning grant of up to $400,000 for a project six months in duration.

Eligible applicants include nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations. Preference will be given to applicants that are either public entities or organizations that are tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and are not a private foundation or Type III supporting organization. Applicant organizations must be based in the United States or its territories.

Learn more and access RFP: http://philanthropynewsdigest.org/rfps/rfp11517-rwjf-invites-proposals-for-parks-green-spaces-in-small-and-midsize-cities-program