We were pleased to facilitate a panel discussion where grantees presented their innovations and interventions. Using Equity-Centered Community Design, each of these organizations has developed innovative solutions to address systemic racism and health inequalities in their communities, while also building community power.
- The Washington State Lived Experience Coalition’s “Survive to Thrive” team drafted a theory of change logic model with Black, Brown, and Indigenous (BBI) men, including youth and system partners, to address how housing insecurity intersects with and exacerbates gun violence.
- Community ConneXor’s ASSET initiative has successfully formed a community-led advisory board and developed a framework to tackle systemic inequities in North Nashville, TN.
- Similarly, United Indians of All Tribes Foundation has gathered critical data to develop an innovation that helps Native Veterans access benefits, claims, and traditional healing practices.
- Mandela Yoga Project successfully conducted a yoga intervention pilot that brought together key partners to address disparities in physical, psychospiritual, and community health among people of color. Mandela Yoga Project shared that RWJF funding has catalyzed strong partnerships with medical and public health systems.
The efforts among all the grantees reflect a strong commitment to centering equity and building community power to dismantle systemic barriers and improve health outcomes. This work could not have happened without the support of the RWJF Program Office, the S4A (Systems for Action) National Program Office, and the S4A National Advisory Committee.
The Community Power Network
The Community Power Network is an ongoing multicultural, multiracial forum that explores the potential for systems alignment initiatives to improve outcomes for BBI communities. We build community power to uplift lived experience, Indigenous cultural wisdom, community values and assets, and culture; conduct research that decolonizes and reimagines “rigor” in evaluating the feasibility and impact of systems alignment innovations; leverage transdisciplinary expertise and other ways of knowing; and move evidence into action.
In each CPN session, SAIH facilitators highlight new resources and grant opportunities for community-based organizations and programs — including some that are funded by SAIH, to which CPN attendees may be invited to apply. Additionally, the CPN shares opportunities for other grants, including the
The CPN just finished its 20th session, and is growing and going strong. Check it out!
Equity Capacity-Building Grants
We are proud to announce the first round of the newly-launched Equity Capacity Building Grants (ECBG). Eight hundred thousand dollars has been awarded to 12 community-based organizations (CBOs) across the United States to strengthen their efforts to align systems that advance equity and health in historically underserved communities. Launched in January 2025, this grant opportunity was developed in response to the feedback from community-based partners that there was a need for lower-barrier funding. We are proud to have used Trust-Based Philanthropy principles to award $800,000 to practice-based organizations who can use the money immediately to scale up their work and eventually pursue higher-barrier, “traditional” funding opportunities. Read more and see each grantee in our press release.
Funding Opportunities and Other Support
Partnering with Public Health Graduate Students: A Research Opportunity for Community-Based Organizations
Colorado School of Public Health students who are pursuing a Master’s or Doctorate degree must complete both a practicum and a capstone project in which they gain real-world experience by working in public health at a community-based site. Through these projects, students must demonstrate competencies and integrate public health knowledge.
This is an excellent opportunity for community-based organizations (CBOs) interested in conducting research to receive valuable assistance in evaluating their programs, pilot innovations, and interventions. By leveraging research data, CBOs can support and strengthen their work. Participation is a great way to increase organizational capacity while making a difference in public health by training and educating future professionals.
For instance, a student can help with “pre-research” activities such as literature reviews, evidence synthesis, needs assessment, community engagement activities, protocol development, collecting preliminary data, gathering access to secondary data, and conducting an exploratory analysis of secondary data. These activities can help your organization understand the issues it is addressing; collect critical information that is already known; and outline the knowledge gap that your research will address.
Practicum projects are typically completed over the summer for a minimum of 120 hours, while capstone projects take place during the spring or fall semester. Interested in becoming a host? Please contact Nate Demeke (Nathaniel.Demeke@ucdenver.edu) or Systems for Action (systemsforaction@cuanschutz.edu).
Community-Led Systems Research to Address Systemic Racism
A Systems for Action opportunity (deadline June 4, 2025, 3 pm ET) to receive funding for community-led pilot studies that test the feasibility of new interventions designed to dismantle and disrupt systemic racism through the alignment of medical, social, and public health systems. Pilot studies must be led by a community-based nonprofit, government agency, or tribal organization that serves communities affected by systemic racism, working in partnership with an experienced research team. Awards of up to $200,000 will support pilot-test studies that can be completed over a 12-month period.
Pioneering Ideas: Exploring the Future to Build a Culture of Health
A Robert Wood Johnson Foundation opportunity (rolling application deadline) to receive funding for health equity projects in any of these areas: Future of Evidence; Future of Social Interaction; Future of Food; Future of Work. Additionally, we welcome ideas that fall outside of these focus areas but offer unique approaches to advancing health equity.
Resource Corner
Tools, Guides, & Resources
Is your community-based organization looking for tools, guides, and resources to embark on a research quest? Are you a systems partner who wants to share tangible tools to help community-based organizations dive into research?
You’ve come to the right place!
SAIH is dedicated to developing a platform for community-based organizations to share resources, tools, and guides. We want to help you strengthen your research muscles and bring your ways of knowing to life. Research is for all of us, enriching our minds and communities. Find out more from Dr. Melissa Espinoza, who leads the development of Resources, Tools, and Guides for SAIH:
Intro to Dr. Espinoza
Manual for Community Rights in Research
The Manual for Community Rights in Research: Collaborative Research Capacity for Community-Based Organizations supports a training program by the University of Michigan’s Innovations Institute, supporting community organizations in building their capacity to engage in collaborative, health-focused research and to ensure that these partnerships are equitable and mutually beneficial. The workshop is structured to be customizable, allowing organizations to tailor it to their specific needs when working with community partners.
The training manual includes:
- A comprehensive program overview
- A three-part workshop slide deck
- Detailed facilitator instructions
- All training materials needed for workshop activities
- A list of recommended supplies
The Systems Alignment Innovation Hub (SAIH) helps medical, social service, and public health providers in low-income and BIPOC communities to dismantle inequities and improve health and well-being for all.
