Deadline:

Open

Program Area:

Building Human Capital

Purpose:

Ladder to Leadership: Developing the Next Generation of Community Health Leaders is a collaborative initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the Center for Creative Leadership. The initiative aims to enhance the leadership capacity of community-based nonprofit health organizations serving vulnerable populations. RWJF is committed to leadership development and improving the health of all Americans, particularly those in the most vulnerable communities—where people are often economically disadvantaged and have limited educational opportunities and inadequate access to health services.

Ladder to Leadership focuses on developing critical leadership competencies for 270 early- to mid-career professionals through an innovative, 16-month leadership development curriculum.

The program will be delivered in nine priority communities on a staggered schedule over the next four years. Each phase of the three-part curriculum includes a mixture of face-to-face training sessions, individualized executive coaching and mentoring, and team project work—all anchored within the context of the communities in which these leaders live and work to maximize the application and impact of the program concepts.

Program Information:

• Call for Applications


• Overview (PDF)

How to Apply:

*Please read the call for applications before applying.

• Apply Online

Eligibility & Selection Criteria:

Only one applicant from each organization will be considered. Qualified applicants must:

• be an early- to mid-career professional with one to five years of supervisory experience;
• be an employee of a community-based, health or health-related nonprofit or government organization that serves vulnerable populations;
• work in one of the priority communities targeted by the initiative;
• commit to a 16-month leadership development initiative and curriculum;
• have the support of their organization's executive director or senior leader and their board of directors; and
• be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States or its territories at the time of application.

Applicants will be chosen based on the following criteria:

• Demonstrated record of accomplishment within the nonprofit sector.
• Potential for assuming leadership roles in the nonprofit health and health care field as evidenced by prior experience, accomplishments, membership on external boards and committees, references, etc.
• Proven commitment to serving vulnerable populations and improving their health outcomes.

Key Dates:

The program will be implemented in nine priority communities on a staggered schedule over the next four years. The deadline for receipt of applications is 3 p.m. Eastern Time on the designated date. Dates are subject to change.

• Central New York—June 1, 2008–July 1, 2008
• Cleveland, Ohio—September 5, 2008–November 14, 2008
• Birmingham, Ala.—December 5, 2008–February 13, 2009
• Albuquerque, N.M.—March 20, 2009–May 15, 2009
• Eastern North Carolina—June 26, 2009–August 14, 2009
• Portland, Ore.—September 25, 2009–November 13, 2009
• Mid-South (Western Tenn., Eastern Ark., Northern Miss.)—December 18, 2009–February 26, 2010
• New Jersey (Specific site/region to be determined)—March 19, 2010–May 21, 2010
• Starr County, Texas—June 25, 2010–August 27, 2010

Total Award:

• Up to 30 fellows will be selected to participate in the program in each of nine targeted communities across the United States: Central New York; Cleveland, Ohio; Birmingham, Ala.; Albuquerque, N.M.; Eastern North Carolina; Portland, Ore.; Mid-South Region (Western Tenn., Eastern Ark. and Northern Miss.); New Jersey (specific site/region to be determined); and Starr County, Texas.
• The program will support travel costs.

Related Materials:

• View Program FAQs


• Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Community Health Leaders (Grant Results Reports)