URA Receives $200,000 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Grant

The URA was awarded a three-year $200,000 grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The award is designed to support community development organizations with recent leadership transitions and to empower "proximate leaders.”

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation defines proximate leaders as leaders who are uniquely qualified because of how close they are to and because of the experience they bring to their work. They have firsthand knowledge of their communities and understand their specific needs and strengths.
 

"Communities flourish when their own members—who deeply understand their unique needs and assets—are empowered, supported and placed at the head of decisionmaking tables," said  Zoila Jennings, lead impact investment officer at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. 

The URA was one of only five cohort organizations in the U.S. to receive this funding. The award will help Executive Director Susheela Nemani-Stanger implement her strategies and vision of stability and strength for the URA. The Foundation will also provide technical assistance and convene the cohort organizations to learn from each other.