NJHI Frequently Asked Questions

Program Overview
 
Question: What kinds of projects will NJHI 2010 support?
Answer:

NJHI 2010 will support projects that foster positive intellectual and emotional development and prevent violence and related health-risking social behaviors (e.g., substance abuse, physical aggression, delinquency) in young men at risk ages 14–24.

   
Question: Why has the focus of NJHI Grantmaking changed in 2010?
Answer:

NJHI’s grantmaking reflects the funding priorities of RWJF. At this time, the subject of “young men at risk” is of interest to the Foundation and is a pressing issue in New Jersey.
   
Question: How is the term “young men at risk” defined for the purpose of NJHI 2010 funding?
Answer:

For the purpose of funding under NJHI 2010, “young men at risk” is defined as males between the ages of 14 and 24 susceptible to engage in behaviors that jeopardize their future well-being.

   
Question: If my program serves young men and young women, would it be eligible?
Answer:

No, the focus for NJHI this year is young men.  Programming to meet their unique needs is the focus for this round of grantmaking.

   
Question: Are there specific problems facing this age group that must be addressed?
Answer: Projects supported through the program will help young men avoid activities that adversely affect school performance and that induce them to join gangs and participate in other harmful acts.  Projects will also provide life enrichment experiences such as mentoring and job training.
   
Question: The CFP states that projects must “foster positive intellectual and emotional development and prevent violence and related health-risking social behaviors in young men ages 14–24.”  Does that mean that my project must include both education and job preparedness interventions along with health interventions?
Answer: Yes. You should also be mindful that the health intervention should consider both physical and mental health.
   
Question: What are some examples of health interventions?
Answer: In addition to primary health, substance abuse prevention and treatment as well as mental health promotion and treatment are considered health interventions.
   
Question:

Must my project include young men from the age of 14 to 24 or can we target a segment of that age group?
Answer: We expect that most projects will target one or more segments of this broad age group, although it is certainly possible that your project would include multiple interventions appropriate to the various age categories.  Either approach is acceptable.  Focusing on a single age group will allow you to intensify the intervention, while focusing on multiple age groups might allow you to build in a series of transitions.
   
Question: Are there resources available where I can learn more about the issue of young men at risk?
Answer: We have compiled a list of Internet resources on the topic. Click here to view this list. There are many other resources available and you should not limit yourself to the list provided here when gathering information on this topic.
   
Question: Where do I find information on the “evidence-based or promising models of positive program solutions” which are referenced in the CFP?
Answer: As noted above, we have provided a list on our NJHI website of some resources on projects active in the field.  We do encourage you to do further research, but we recognize that there are a limited number of evidence-based programs which address all three distinct issues of education, job readiness and health.  However, we have noted a number of promising models which you will find instructive as you consider your program design.
   
Question: Why is a partnership required?
Answer: Because of the complexity of the issues facing young men at risk, we believe that multiple interventions must be directed to a target group.  The key is to find the best providers of the various elements in your geographic target and join your efforts.  In addition, NJHI is strongly committed to the idea that networking among providers leads to stronger programs in a community.
   
Question: What do you mean by primary and secondary prevention?
Answer:

The National Center for Children Exposed to Violence website provides a succinct definition: (http://www.nccev.org/resources/terms.html )

Prevention: Reduction of risk of occurrences, or delay of occurrences, of an adverse health, mental health, or other outcome. Prevention strategies can be characterized as universal, selective, or indicated (or respectively, primary, secondary, and tertiary) based on the level of risk associated with the groups or individuals for whom the intervention is intended.

  • Universal/Primary Prevention: Strategies applied to the general population with the purpose of preventing occurrences.
  • Selective/Secondary Prevention: Strategies targeting a particular population determines to be at-risk with the purpose of preventing occurrences.
  • Indicated/Tertiary Prevention: Strategies targeted to persons for whom adverse outcomes or problems have already occurred with the purpose of preventing reoccurrence.
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Application Process
Question: How do I apply for funding?
Answer: All grant applicants must use the RWJF Grantmaking Online system to submit the proposal. The full proposal, which includes the project narrative, a line-item budget ,a budget narrative, and several additional attachments must be submitted through the NJHI 2010 section of the RWJF Grantmaking Online system. No hard-copy proposals will be accepted. All proposals are due Thursday, January 28, 2010 by 3 p.m. EST. NJHI Program Office staff are available to guide applicants through the online process, if necessary.
   
Question: Are there any documents that will be submitted in hard copy?
Answer: The only hard copy documents to be submitted are the letters of commitment from your partner organizations.  Instructions on how to submit these hard copies are available in the RWJF Grantmaking Online system.
   
Question: Will I need to submit a copy of our organization’s financial audits?
Answer: Yes.  You will be required to submit an electronic copy of your TWO most recent annual audits.  We recommend that you contact your auditor soon to obtain the electronic version, or, you may create a PDF of the two audits.  You will be uploading these audits, in addition to several other documents regarding your organization, into the RWJF Grantmaking Online system.  Full details about the required documents are available in the RWJF Grantmaking Online system.
   
Question: Who is eligible to apply for funding under this program?
Answer:

Applicant organizations must be either nonprofit organizations that are tax exempt under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code or public entities such as a unit of department of government or a school board. Applicants and their projects must be located in New Jersey.

The types of organizations or groups that will be considered for funding include:

  • community-based organizations;
  • organizations that provide education or job placement services to young men ages 14-24;
  • organizations that targets an underserved group;
  • advocacy groups;
  • health care providers, including mental health care providers;
  • substance abuse treatment or prevention providers;
  • faith-based organizations.
   
Question: How can I be sure my organization is classified as tax exempt under section 501(c)(3)?
Answer: You can do an online search of IRS Publication 78 at http://apps.irs.gov/app/pub78. Publication 78 is a list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions.
   
Question: What do you mean by "public entity?"
Answer: A "public entity" is a unit or department of government, such as a school board. A good test to determine that an organization is a public entity is if it was created by statute or law.
   
Question: The call for proposals references partnerships. Am I required to have partners for my project proposed under NJHI 2010?
Answer: Yes. Partnerships are a requirement for consideration under NJHI 2010.
   
Question: Do you give grants to for-profit organizations?
Answer: No.
   
Question: Do you provide grants to individuals?
Answer: No.
   
Question: Will NJHI 2010 support capital projects?
Answer: No.
   
Question: Are there other kinds of projects that NJHI 2010 will not support?
Answer:

Projects that will not be supported under NJHI 2010 are:

  • projects to continue existing programs without expanding services;
  • service delivery and violence prevention programs that do not address young men at risk with a target age range between 14 and 24 or any subset within that age range;
  • projects that do not have an evidence base or evaluation results upon which the proposed project is based;
  • those that support an operational deficit in an ongoing program;
  • capital or building projects;
  • clinical or medical research;
  • projects limited to research on the factors associated with youth development and/or violence;
  • projects limited to policy analysis.
   
Question: Is this a one-time call for proposals, or will it be issued annually?
Answer:

NJHI issues calls for proposals on an annual basis. The focus of our funding priorities may change each year.

   
Question: How many grants will you award under NJHI 2010?
Answer: Up to six grants will be awarded under this program.
   
Question: What is the amount of the award and duration of the grant period?
Answer: Grants of up to $400,000 will be awarded to support projects over a three year period.
   
Question: May I request less than $400,000?
Answer: Yes.  It is important that the budget accurately reflect the program plan.
   
Question: Do you expect that some of the grant resources will be shared with our partner organizations?
Answer: Yes.
   
Question: Are current NJHI grantees eligible to apply under NJHI 2010?
Answer: No.
   
Question: Are the slides from your applicant Web conferences available for download?
Answer: Yes. Click here to download a PDF file of the presentation slides.
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Timetable & Review Process
Question: When can I start the online registration process?
Answer:

The RWJF Grantmaking Online site for NJHI 2010 will be available beginning Monday, November 16, 2009.
   
Question: Do you accept paper proposals?
Answer: No, you must submit your proposal electronically through the Grantmaking Online system.
   
Question: What are the steps in the proposal process?
Answer: The first step is for potential applicants to register in the NJHI 2010 section of the RWJF Grantmaking Online System to submit full proposals.  Your proposal and supporting documents must be uploaded to the RWJF Grantmaking Online system and submitted by January 28, 2010, with the exception of the letters from your partner organizations, which will be postmarked by that same date. Once the proposals have been reviewed, those organizations whose proposals most clearly meet the program criteria outlined in the Call for Proposals will be notified that they have been selected to participate in a site visit.
   
Question: Is a Letter of Intent required under this program?
Answer: No, we require a full proposal only.
   
Question: Is there a page limit and standard format for my proposal narrative?
Answer: Yes. Complete instructions are provided in Grantmaking Online.
   
Question: If I have previously applied to NJHI, can I use my old applicant ID and password to enter the NJHI 2010 section of Grantmaking Online?
Answer: No, you must select a new applicant ID and password to enter the NJHI 2010 section of Grantmaking Online.
   
Question: What is your deadline for receipt of full proposals?
Answer: Full proposal for NJHI 2010 must be submitted online by Thursday, January 28, 2010 at 3 p.m. EST.
   
Question: What if I miss the deadline?
Answer: To be fair to all applicants, there are no exceptions to the deadline.
   
Question: How long does the review process take?
Answer: The proposals will be reviewed within a month of the proposal deadline.  By March 15, 2010, applicants will be notified whether or not they have been selected for a site visit.  These site visits will occur in March and April 2010.  Notification of the grant awards will occur in June 2010.
   
Question: Who will have access to our proposal once it is submitted online?
Answer: Only authorized individuals involved in the reviewing and scoring of all NJHI 2010 proposals will have access to your proposal.
   
Question:

Will proposals submitted before the deadline be reviewed early?
Answer: No. All proposals will be assigned to reviewers after the submission deadline.
   
Question: How can I find out the status of my proposal?
Answer: Feel free to contact the NJHI Program Office. The names of staff and their direct phone numbers can be found on the "About Us" page of this Web site. Or call the main number at (856) 225-6733.
   
Question: Will I receive written feedback?
Answer: You will receive a letter notifying you about the decision on whether or not your full proposal advances to the next step in the grantmaking process. However, you will not receive any feedback or individual critique of the proposal.
   
Question: Can I get additional copies of the CFP?
Answer: You can download the CFP from the "How to Apply" page of this Web site.
   
Question: Whom do I contact if I have problems with the online system?
Answer: Feel free to contact the NJHI Program Office. The names of staff and their direct phone numbers can be found on the "About Us" page. Or call the main number at (856) 225-6733. Answers to technical FAQs about the online proposal process are available at the online site at http://grantmaking.rwjf.org.
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Other Support for the Project

Question:

Are we required to have/show matching funding for this project?
Answer: No. You are not required to have matching funding to be awarded a grant under this program.  However, if there are other funds that will be used to support your project, the source(s) and the amount of the other support should be disclosed in your proposal.
   
Question: Are there any other Robert Wood Johnson Foundation programs that may be appropriate for me?
Answer: Please visit the RWJF web site at www.rwjf.org. The Foundation has numerous national programs focusing on a diversity of issues in health and health care.
   
Question: Can you suggest other possible funding sources for our project?
Answer: You may wish to contact the Foundation Center, a resource organization on foundations, for other sources of funding. Their web site is http://fdncenter.org and their phone number is 1-800-424-9836.
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Proposal Elements
Question: Is there a page limit and standard format for my proposal narrative?
Answer: Yes. Complete instructions are provided as you go through the Grantmaking Online process.
   
Question: How must I submit letters from partner organizations?
Answer:

Applicants must collect these letters and mail them in one batch, with a postmark no later than Thursday, January 28, 2010, to:

Gretchen Hartling

Co-Director

New Jersey Health Initiatives

323 Cooper Street

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Camden, NJ    08102-1519

Phone: 856-225-6733

   
Question: Should I also submit letters of support from other organizations in our community?
Answer: No.  You should only submit letters from partner organizations that have a role in providing services or other direct aspect of the project.
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Budget
Question: What is the standard budget format?
Answer:

Budget preparation guidelines are available on the Grantmaking Online site at http://grantmaking.rwjf.org/njh10.  You can print the guidelines for reference when preparing your budget online.  Please contact the NJHI Program Office at (856) 225-6733 if you have any questions regarding the budget preparation.

   
Question: Does the grant funding have to be spent equally over the life of the grant?
Answer: No. Each grantee may find expenses are varied. You may want to consider the implication of start-up time for the project when planning your first year’s budget.
   
Question: How do I budget for the work to be completed by our partner(s) in the project?
Answer: Any costs associated with the partners will be budgeted in the sub-contract section of the budget and budget narrative.  Be sure to include a full description of the use of the funding, using similar categories to those under the direct cost budget line items for your own organization.
   
Question: Are indirect costs calculated above the $400,000 cap on the total project budget?
Answer: No. The $400,000 cap includes any indirect costs associated with the project.
   
Question: What indirect cost rate does RWJF support?
Answer: The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation supports an indirect cost rate of up to 12%. If you have questions about the rate, please call the NJHI Program Office at (856) 225-6733.
   
Question: What categories of the budget are eligible for the indirect cost support?
Answer: Indirect costs (IDC) can be taken on all line items in the budget (i.e. personnel, office operations, space, equipment etc.) including contractual agreements. However, the IDC on the contractual agreement category may be reduced if the amount budgeted for this category represents 30 percent or more of the entire project budget in a given year. If you have questions about the IDC, please call the NJHI Program Office at (856) 225-6733.
   
Question: The RWJF Grantmaking Online budget instructions on travel say that we should “budget a two night stay ($1360) for two project staff to attend the National Program’s annual meeting each year ($2720 per year), unless otherwise directed by your National Program Office.”  Do I budget this amount for the annual NJHI grantee meeting?
Answer: No.  NJHI does not convene an annual grantee meeting. Grantees are brought together several times throughout the year for one-day workshops. The only expense related to these meetings is mileage to a location in central New Jersey.  We suggest that you budget for four or five one-day meetings in mid-state New Jersey. For planning purposes, include mileage from your location to Princeton and return.
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The Grantmaking Online System
Question: How do I access the NJHI 2010 section of the Grantmaking Online system?
Answer: Visit http://grantmaking.rwjf.org/njh10. You will need to create an applicant ID and password. If you have previously used the Grantmaking Online system for any program, including previous NJHI cycles, you must create a new applicant ID and password for NJHI 2010.
   
Question:

Are there Internet browser requirements to access Grantmaking Online?
Answer: You must have either Internet Explorer version 6.0 or 7.0 or Firefox version 2.0. It is suggested that you follow your Internet browser's steps for clearing the memory cache to ensure access to Grantmaking Online.
   
Question:

How do I save the NJHI 2010 Full Proposal Narrative template from Grantmaking Online?
Answer: You should save this document to a location on your computer with which you are familiar--such as My Documents, Desktop, etc. Be sure to follow all instructions in Grantmaking Online and read the FAQs in the Grantmaking Online system.
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New Jersey Health Initiatives
323 Cooper Street, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Camden, NJ 08102-1519
Telephone: 856-225-6733 • Fax: 856-225-6736 Info@njhi.org • Home