Robert Wood Johnson Reshapes Approach to Health Philanthropy

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation unveiled a major shift last week that will see the nation’s biggest health-centered philanthropy change focus from specific problems such as smoking and obesity to an ambitious effort to promote a “culture of health,” according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.

The Princeton, N.J.-based foundation, which makes $400-million in annual grants, will cut funds to or wind down some longstanding programs, many in the health-policy arena, while boosting support for grass-roots initiatives involving community clinics and innovations in patient care made by nurses. The organization will also seek partnerships with corporations and government agencies to spread successful ideas.

“We have to make a seismic shift in the way we deal with health, and it has to come from the ground up,” said Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, the foundation’s chief executive officer, in describing the changes at the Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado Wednesday. “It’s going to require that we build new partnerships, and stand on one another’s shoulders so we can turn small victories into national success.”