Local Data for Equitable Communities Grant Program

The Local Data for Equitable Communities grant program, administered by the Urban Institute in partnership with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), is designed to fund nonprofit organizations that leverage local data to address structural inequities within communities in the United States and its territories. The program is part of RWJF’s broader mission to ensure that health becomes a universal right rather than a privilege, with a strong emphasis on health equity, racial justice, and community-driven transformation. Through this initiative, RWJF aims to empower local nonprofits with the tools and resources needed to catalyze action that improves physical, social, and economic conditions in their respective communities. This grant opportunity supports projects that collect, analyze, and utilize both quantitative and qualitative data to advocate for and implement changes in local policies and practices. Eligible organizations must center their project on one of six specified community conditions: built environment, climate and environment, community safety, healthy food access, housing, or transportation. The funded projects are expected to inform public discourse, enhance local capacity for data-driven decision-making, and promote equitable participation in shaping solutions. Importantly, the data gathered should be actionable and relevant to pressing local issues, allowing communities to prioritize needs, monitor change, and push for systemic improvements. Each award consists of a $50,000 grant with a nine-month performance period. Up to 30 awards will be distributed. Grant funds can cover direct and personnel costs as well as indirect costs for 501(c)(3) public charities. However, the funds cannot be used for activities such as lobbying, political work, clinical trials of unapproved treatments, facility renovation, or as general operating support. RWJF emphasizes that supported projects should be practical and connected to near-term decision-making and action, not for theoretical research or needs assessments. Applicants must be nonprofit organizations exempt under Section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and must be based in the U.S. or its territories. Notably, state and local government agencies, universities, and private foundations are not eligible to apply. Fiscal sponsorship is allowed if the sponsor is an eligible nonprofit, and organizations currently funded by this program are ineligible. Only one proposal per applicant is permitted. While collaborations with other organizations are encouraged, the primary applicant must be an eligible nonprofit that plays a significant role in the project. Applications must be submitted through RWJF’s online portal by 3:00 p.m. ET on March 3, 2026. The optional applicant webinar will take place on February 5, 2026. Final funding decisions will be announced by May 11, 2026, with the grant period commencing on July 1, 2026. The evaluation process considers project relevance, local applicability, potential for impact, equity-focused methodologies, and applicant capacity. While publication of findings is not mandatory, any peer-reviewed work must be open access in accordance with RWJF policies. The Urban Institute, serving as the national coordinating center, will provide technical assistance, host optional webinars, and lead learning exchanges among grantees. Awardees are expected to produce a one-to-two-page project profile summarizing their work and participate in a limited number of calls during the grant period. Ultimately, the goal is to produce a diverse, actionable body of work that advances equity and wellbeing through community-rooted data efforts.