What is a Nominating Funding Partner?

As the name implies, the nominating funder writes the cover letter inviting the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) to join in a funding partnership to support a new, community-based initiative that offers a creative solution to a challenging local health issue.

The nominating funder is not obligated to provide the total match from their own funds, but the letter should express the intention to work with the applicant and all potential funding partners to obtain the funding necessary to match RWJF funds throughout the grant period. The majority of successful LFP projects are supported by a coalition of many funding sources. The nominating funder usually serves as the liaison between the LFP national program office and the other local funding partners.

All types of grantmaking organizations are invited to participate as nominating funding partners including independent and private foundations, family and community foundations, corporate foundations, diversity-focused funds and other philanthropies. In addition to the foundations defined at grantmaking organizations, matching funds may come from endowments, individual benefactors, religious groups, special fundraising entities and other charitable organizations.

Projects must be nominated by a local grantmaker that is interested in participating as one of the funding partners. The letter should affirm the grantmaker’s strong endorsement of the initiative. It is helpful to include information regarding the nominating funder’s involvement with the development of this initiative, with the applicant agency, with other local coalition partners and with other interested local funders.

Please note: all types of grantmakers are welcome to nominate projects for the LFP Annual Grantmaking program. However, the nominating funder for the LFP Special Solicitation to Diversity-Focused Funders must be a diversity-focused funder.