December 17, 2009

Dear Colleague:

We are pleased to announce that Girls for Gender Equity received the first matching grant under the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Local Funding Partnerships program Peaceful Pathways: Reducing Exposure to Violence. The New York Women's Foundation, a diversity focused fund that supports social justice projects for women and girls, nominated this project to reduce sexual harassment in the New York City public schools.

Especially in these economic times, joining the resources of a national foundation with local funders and nonprofits can make it easier to support new, innovative projects to make better health possible in the context of difficult life circumstances. Through Local Funding Partnerships, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation collaborates with local grantmakers to address community health needs where vulnerable people live, learn, work and play.

Both our LFP Annual Grantmaking program (matching grants of $200,000–$500,000) and Peaceful Pathways (matching grants of $50,000–$200,000) will have new Calls for Proposals in early 2010.

Please visit our homepage www.localfundingpartnerships.org and click on the large photos to read some New Stories from LFP projects. (Or go straight to “Virginia’s Journey” from the GrandFamily Resource Center in Philadelphia, PA.)

We are always available to discuss new projects and hope we will have the opportunity to partner with you in the New Year. Please don’t hesitate to call us at 609-275-4128.

Best wishes for a happy holiday season,