CONTENT
General Information
How to Apply
About the National Program Office
About Grant Funds
About New Routes Online Community
About Partnerships
Partnership Samples

GENERAL INFORMATION Back to top | Send us your questions

What is the purpose of this grant?
Our purpose is to fund local partnerships made up of immigrant organizations, media production centers, and established community institutions, which will collaborate to improve immigrants’ health, work life, and civic participation.

Health, work life, and civic participation are defined quite broadly. In order to better understand these definitions, please explore the projects listed in Robert Wood Johnson's Vulnerable Populations portfolio.

What are the eligibility criteria?

• Applicants must identify specific local challenges or barriers to improving the health of immigrants and devise a plan addressing these issues through locally focused media and community engagement strategies.
  
• Collaborations must include at least one of each of the following: an immigrant organization, media production center, and established community institution to act as the partnership manager.
  
• Partnerships must directly involve immigrants in the design and implementation of the program.
  
• Applicants must secure a 30% in-kind or cash match of the overall grant amount during the implementation phase of the grant period . During the planning phase, applicants must outline the sources of the match.
  
• Applicants must take advantage of the technical assistance provided, participate in the program’s online community, and fulfill all reporting and evaluation requirements.
  
• All partnering organizations must be based in the United States or its territories.
  
• Applicant communities must include established immigrant or refugee populations or be experiencing a rapid growth in the number of new immigrants.

HOW TO APPLY Back to top | Send us your questions

How do organizations apply for a New Routes grant?
Working together on a detailed proposal is an important first step in solidifying the partnership.

• We expect each proposal to be developed by all organizations in the partnership, and not from any single partner.
• Both brief and full proposals must incorporate input from immigrants.

Proposal Phase
The grant application process is divided into three competitive stages: the brief proposal, which is open to all applicants, the full proposal, which is by invitation only, and the regional interview, which is also by invitation only.

• The first stage, involving the brief proposal, allows potential grantees approximately two months to complete a four-page plan that describes the project idea, and outlines the partnership strategy.
• Six weeks after the brief proposal deadline, the National Program Office (NPO) will invite up to 30 applicants to create a more detailed proposal, the full proposal that will include a line item budget.
• Up to 12 applicants will be invited to participate in required regional interviews to be scheduled between September 10-20, 2007. All partners are expected to participate in these face to face interviews, and travel expenses for these interviews will be covered by the National Program Office.
• During the interviews the applicants will:
  
  • meet the NPO staff and members of the Advisory Committee
  • detail anticipated roles for all members of the partnership
  • present the proposed project
    

Planning Phase
Eight proposals will be selected to receive six-month, $20,000 planning grants, which will be announced in September 2007.

• Grantees will use these planning grants to support them in revising and preparing for the launch of their proposed project.
• During this six month period, all partner organizations from each grant site will participate in both a national training conference, and will work with the National Program Office to design training to take place during a local site visit.
  
• Sources for the 30% in-kind or cash match need to be identified during this phase.
  

Implementation Phase
Upon successful completion of the planning phase, grantees will submit a revised proposal (due April 1, 2008) and grantees will be eligible to receive up to an additional $205,000.

• These funds will be used during the third stage to implement the proposed project.
• The 30% in-kind or cash match needs to be secured during this phase.
  

 

What is the timeline for the New Routes grant?

April 4, 2007

Listen to audio from this conference call on eligibility, selection and application process.

 

April 17, 2007

Watch this Webcast conference to answer questions about the New Routes program, application process, and selection.

 

May 3, 2007

Listen to audio from this conference call on navigating the Grantmaking Online system. All applications must be submitted online.

 

May 17, 2007

Four-page brief proposals due. All submissions must be made online by 3:00pm EDT.

 

June 25-26, 2007

Applicants notified by phone if invited to submit a full proposal.

 

August 7, 2007

Full proposals due. All submissions must be made online by 3:00pm EDT.

 

September 5, 2007

Notification of applicants invited to participate in regional interviews.

 

September 10-20, 2007

Regional Interviews (3 locations will be selected to conduct the interviews).

 

September 27, 2007

Awards announced.

October 1, 2007 - March 31, 2008

Planning Phase.

April 1, 2008 -December 2010

Implementation Phase.

 

Do we have to submit our grant proposal online?
Yes, all proposals must be submitted online at http://grantmaking.rwjf.org/lprnr. New Routes technical assistance starts with the grant application process. If you have difficulties with the Grantmaking Online system, please ask us for assistance. We want to help. You can call:

Catherine Stifter 530-478-1240 (Pacific Time)

Whitney Wilcox 608-236-0673 (Central Time)

Or contact us with any questions you may have.

Please note that the Grantmaking Online system requires that proposals be submitted by only one of the partnering organizations. The Partnership Manager should submit the application on behalf of all of the partnering organizations for both the brief and full proposals.

 

How can we persuade the selection committee that our project will succeed? What should we measure?
Good proposals will be created with input from immigrants, rely on a local needs assessment, include solid partnership plans, and propose realistic, effective evaluation plans. Here are a few ideas to consider:

• Include partners and target audiences in thinking through your entire project plan.
  
• Make sure project activities are connected to project outcomes.
  
• First, clarify what you are trying to accomplish and then ask what data will tell you if you have accomplished your goals.
  
• Plan to obtain the data you need as you go along. Don’t leave your evaluation steps until the project’s end.

You'll find measurement guides, worksheets and other online resources in the Sound Partners for Community Health Toolkit on Measuring Impact.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PROGRAM OFFICE Back to top | Send us your questions

What kind of help can we get from the NPO?
We are eager to help you create your best application. We have extensive experience, having worked with grantees at all experience levels through our Sound Partners program. Please don't hesitate to ask for the assistance you need. NPO assistance includes:

• the information on our Web site
• two informational phone conferences and one informational webcast
  
• telephone help to answer questions about any aspect of the New Routes grants process
  
• advice on partnership, project measurement and evaluation
  
• assistance with the RWJF Grantmaking Online process
  
• advice about your media sample selection for the full proposal submission

Technical assistance continues throughout all phases of the grant, including:

• on-site visits to assess needs and capabilities
  
• teleconference and online training on selected topics such as youth media, project evaluation and sustainability
  
• workshops and individual help provided at the opening conference, the in-process conference and lessons learned conference for all grantees

What is the role of MasComm Associates and the Benton Foundation?
MasComm and the Benton Foundation will direct and administer the project. The NPO is made up of MasComm and Benton Foundation staff and consultants.

What is role of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation?
New Routes to Community Health is funded by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation through their Vulnerable Populations portfolio. RWJF provides the Grantmaking Online system and consultation and evaluation services for New Routes.

Why is the grant process conducted in English?
We made a conscious decision to use English as the language in which we’ll conduct New Routes' business on the national level. Our funds will not cover the costs involved to translate applications from multiple languages into English. The local business of each project may be conducted in any language appropriate to the project.

• We expect that bilingual capacity and cultural competence resides within one or more of the partnering organizations in each collaboration.
• We anticipate and welcome media created in many languages. We plan to distribute our grantees’ media in any language on our Web site along with an English language summary where appropriate.
• You may use grants funds for local translation needs as required.

ABOUT GRANT FUNDS Back to top | Send us your questions

What is the amount of a New Routes grant?

• Up to 8 grants of up to $225,000 will be awarded in two phases, a planning phase and implementation phase, spanning 39 months.
• A planning grant of up to $20,000 will be awarded during the first six months to fund refining the 33-month implementation and program plan.
  
• Upon successful completion of the planning grant process, applicants will be eligible for grants of up to $70,000 per year, with a maximum award of $205,000.
  
• Applicants will be required to provide a 30% cash or in-kind or cash match during the implementation phase.

What can we spend the grant funds on?
Grant funds may be used for project staff salaries, consultant fees, translation, data collection and analysis, meetings, supplies, project-related travel, and other direct project expenses, including a limited amount of equipment essential to the project.

In keeping with RWJF policy, grant funds may not be used to subsidize individuals for the costs of their health care, to support clinical trials of unapproved drugs or devices, to construct or renovate facilities, for lobbying, or as a substitute for funds currently being used to support similar activities.

How can we make the 30% local cash or in-kind match?

All New Routes projects are required to secure a 30% cash or in-kind match of the project's overall grant amount.

• There is no requirement to detail your plans for securing a match during the brief proposal phase.
• If you are invited to submit a full proposal, you must outline a plan for securing a match.
• Sources for the 30% cash or in-kind match must be identified and secured during the planning phase of the grant process.
  
• The match will be utilized during the implementation phase of the grant.
  

You can use any combination of cash or in-kind contributions to make your match. In-kind match may include: staff time, use of facilities and donations of advertising, equipment, printing, Web and telephone services can all be used for the match.

Please do not let the match requirement dissuade you from submitting a project proposal. The NPO can assist you in developing strategies for securing a match should your project be invited to submit a full proposal.

How do we determine the amount of money for each partner?

New Routes will provide broad guidelines to applicants invited to submit full proposals. There could be a high level of variability dependent upon the overall outreach and programming plan. We want to see both media and immigrant partners share ownership and leadership in project regardless of the monetary distribution.

We expect that roughly $12,000-$13,000 will be set aside for the partnership manager each year of the grant.

ABOUT NEW ROUTES ONLINE COMMUNITY Back to top | Send us your questions

What level of involvement will be expected of grantees in the New Routes online community?
All grant sites will be required to participate in the online community. At least one representative (and we hope more than one) from each of the partnering organizations should expect to spend time each week sharing information through the New Routes Web site.

Partners can expect to:

• Build their own Web pages with an easy-to-use browser-based form we will provide;
  
• Contribute informal progress reports, project anecdotes, updates and lessons learned and post images of work-in-progress to the New Routes blog;
  
• Upload project media samples (audio, video and print) for online distribution;
  
• Complete all required reports online;
  
• Participate in training sessions and grantee surveys. The NPO will provide help and training for this requirement starting with the grant application process.

Can we use the New Routes Web site to distribute media?

Yes! We expect funded projects to share media at newroutes.org as well as completing a local dissemination strategy.

ABOUT PARTNERSHIPS Back to top | Send us your questions

Can we apply for a New Routes grant if we are new to participating in community partnerships?
Yes. We will consider applications from both new and existing partnerships. The New Routes NPO will help you build a strong partnership. Browse the Partnerships topic in the Resources section of this Web site for ideas. Read our Local Voices publication to learn about successful partnerships from the Sound Partners program.

What do you mean by local partnerships?
Partnerships that are located in one city, town or neighborhood would be appropriate for this grant, as would partnerships involving one or more immigrant groups within a geographic location. In rural areas, “local” might mean the whole county. A major metropolitan area might include more territory. Outreach should extend to those who self-identify as one cohesive local community.

National projects are ineligible. State-wide projects would be considered on a case by case basis.

Partnerships must include a minimum of three partners, one in each of the following roles: a media production center, an immigrant organization, and a community institution to act as the partnership manager.

The partnership (same three organizations) may not submit more than one New Routes grant application.

An organization can be involved in more than one New Routes grant application. However, only one of the applications involving that organization will be funded.

What is the role of the partnership manager?
The partnership manager role is an administrative one and that of a catalyst. It will help focus the partnership on program activities that build healthy communities, for immigrants and their receiving communities.

Partnership managers will:

• Facilitate a good working relationship among itself, the media producer and the immigrant organization
• Help the New Routes partnership network with other community organizations with an eye to sustainability
• Convene regular meetings of the partners
• Disperse funds, keep financial records, and produce financial reports for the NPO
• Help write status reports
• Help each partner identify its technical assistance needs and connect it to the appropriate resources to meet those needs
• Actively seek input from all participating organizations to fulfill its role

Partnership managers will not:

• Control the partnering organizations
• Create or distribute the media
• Formulate the content of the media or the program
• Be the sole communicator with the NPO

What kind of organization can be the partnership manager?
It must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3), Section 509(a) or a government organization, such as a local health department. Appropriate organizations may include, but are not limited to, community foundations, local branches of the United Way, public health departments, schools, universities, libraries, or resettlement organizations. This partner must have facility in helping sustain the project and reach the receiving community.

It must demonstrate fiscal responsibility, experience administering grants, and the ability to help partners assess their technical assistance needs and connect them with appropriate resources. The partnership manager will facilitate collaboration among various partners, and therefore that role may not be filled by one of the other partners.

Will the partnership manager do all the communicating with the NPO?
No. The NPO wishes to have direct productive collegial relationships with all partners on each project.

What is the role of the media production center?
The media partner may include, but is not limited to, technology centers, public and commercial radio and television, community radio, cable access stations, print media like newspapers and magazines, community media and arts centers, and Web publishers.

If the project partners are invited to submit a full proposal, the media production partner must submit a sample demonstrating its experience producing the same kind of media that will be part of your project.

The media partner will take responsibility for the creation and dissemination of project media including a final film, video, or audio production, a print publication, or a Web-based production demonstrating the impact of their New Routes project on personal, organizational, and community-wide levels.

It is important that the media production center be willing to collaborate with the other partners regardless of its size.

What kinds of media are eligible for this grant?
New Routes welcomes proposals incorporating any kind of media that will contribute to community building or problem solving around locally defined concerns in your immigrant and receiving community. We envision grantees working in traditional as well as new media such as newspapers, film, video, commercial, non-commercial and community radio and TV, photography, and multi-media projects presented online.

The goal is to reach and ENGAGE the intended audience in the best way possible. We are unlikely to fund a program that uses media buys as it's primary media engagement strategy, because each New Routes project requires a media production center partner, not just a vendor.

Media does not need to be produced by professionals. We welcome innovative youth (and adult) projects in which media skills are taught. It could be an opportunity to develop the media capacity of an immigrant serving organization. Any level or quality of media could be acceptable, as long as it serves your project's goals.

New original work is preferred. New content created for an existing program, such as a weekly talk show, would be eligible for funding.

What is the role of the immigrant organization?
The immigrant organization may include, but is not limited to, school systems, health-care providers, social service agencies, immigrant employers, local government agencies, and faith-based organizations. Such partners must be able to document that they already provide services to immigrants and have the ability to reach out to the targeted immigrant community.

What do you mean by “immigrant”?
We use the term “immigrant” to include all foreign-born newcomers to the U.S. and their children, regardless of their immigration or citizenship status. We include refugees and mixed status families in our definition, but do not include second-generation adults.

How can we involve immigrants in our project?
Partnerships must include the direct involvement of immigrants in design and implementation of the program. This may include participation of immigrants in project management, focus groups, community mapping projects, topical research, script development, and media production.

Can we/should we serve more than one immigrant group?
The success of a New Routes project will be determined, in part, by the strength and commitment of the immigrant-serving organization, not by the number of immigrant groups served. It is preferred that you target the immigrant group you wish to serve.

Can we/should we have more than 3 total partners?
Successful New Routes grants will be determined by the strength and commitment of the partnership, not by the number of partners. Partnerships may include more than three organizations, but we encourage careful consideration of the costs and benefits of additional partners. Partnership management takes time. Previous grantees have found that the more partners, the more time it takes. And in may unnecessarily complicate your project.

Do all partners have to attend conferences?
Yes! The New Routes opening conference will introduce grantees to the NPO and to the process of being a New Routes grantee. The conference provides essential technical training and invaluable opportunities for networking, partnership building, and project refining.

PARTNERSHIP SAMPLES Back to top | Send us your questions

Here are three examples of successful projects from our previous grant program, Sound Partners for Community Health. Read about each of the projects, review their media samples and feel free to contact the NPO to ask about their project, partnerships, or participating in the Sound Partners program. Contact information is available for those partners who have agreed to be a resource for potential New Routes grantees.

Crossing Borders
Portland, ME

Crossing Borders was the collaborative effort of WMPG community radio and Portland Public Health. With input from Hispanic, Russian, Khmer and Somali immigrants and community health care providers, this project created public service announcements on a different child-related health care topic each month. During the year-long project, 60 different PSAs in English and native languages aired nearly 700 times on community radio and public access TV. Community outreach included participation in major cultural arts events, and the printing and distribution of health brochures.

Mejorando La Calidad de Vida (Improving the Quality of Life)
Granger, WA

Radio Cadena (KDNA-FM) and the Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic launched a mental health education campaign for Spanish-speaking Latino immigrants in rural eastern Washington. After the World Trade Center bombing on September 11, 2001, the Clinic noted a community-wide increase in fear, tension and depression over changes in immigration policies. Using live call-in programs, 90-second “mini-novellas” and 5,000 foto-brochures distributed at health fairs, church celebrations, and school meetings the project addressed domestic violence, deportation, child abuse, legal status, and unemployment issues. This partnership was one of the longest running Sound Partners grantees. They submitted 3 successful proposals in a row. KDNA-FM was a three-time winner of the Community Impact Award from the National Federation of Community Broadcasters. The partnership leveraged nearly $500,000 in additional funding for on-going health and environmental justice projects.

Healthy Impact!
Denver, CO

Rocky Mountain PBS, the Anti-Defamation League, and the Colorado Foundation for Medical Care collaborated on a two-year awareness campaign exploring cultural misunderstandings that posed barriers to physical and mental health care for vulnerable populations in Colorado. The project distributed a booklet denouncing hate messages and openly discussing prejudice in the community. Public TV PSAs featured doctors, nurses, police, and clergy encouraging non-English speakers to ask for an interpreter when needed at clinics, schools, and churches. A teleconference summit concluded the project.

Back to top | Send us your questions