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About Community Health Leaders

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) established the Community Health Leaders program (CHL) in 1991 to recognize individuals who overcome daunting obstacles to improve health and health care in their communities. Today the Directory includes 153 outstanding Community Health Leaders in 45 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.

Mission
The mission of CHL is to support and sustain the capacity of individuals who demonstrate creativity, innovation, and commitment to improving health outcomes at the community level.

Goals
The goals for CHL include:

• Increasing the visibility and exposure of the leaders and their work to the nation;
• Enhancing and enriching leadership development skills for the leaders;

Increasing opportunities for the leaders to establish new relationships and expand their influence to improve health outcomes in communities.

Award
Each year 10 persons are selected to receive awards of $125,000. The award is comprised of $105,000 to support a defined project at the organization with which the leader is affiliated, and $20,000 directly to the leader for personal development. New leaders are announced to the nation at an annual meeting attended by past recipients, national leaders, and Foundation staff.

Criteria
The National Program Office announces a Call for Nominations each year. The Call for Nominations lists specific criteria and qualifications and describes the selection process, including deadlines for letters of intent, and guidelines for the actual nomination.

General criteria include:

• Innovation in starting or enhancing efforts to improve access to care and the health of their community
• Mid-career level with a record of accomplishment
• Little significant national recognition for their work
• Citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. or its territories at the time of the nomination deadline
• Be affiliated with a public or nonprofit organization that is tax-exempt under Section 501C3 of the Internal Revenue Code

Nominations for CHL can be made by health care consumers, community leaders, government employees, health care providers, and others.

Leadership
CHL is guided by a National Advisory Committee of past recipients and national leaders with extensive experience in a wide variety of health care responsibilities

The CHL National Program Office Staff is located at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, providing support to the leaders and the NAC, and providing opportunities for increased communication across the spectrum of RWJF programs.