Green Bay Wins National Culture of Health Prize: A Collective Vision for Community Wellbeing

The City of Green Bay has officially been named a 2024 recipient of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's (RWJF) Culture of Health Prize—one of just nine communities selected out of more than 300 applicants nationwide. This prestigious national recognition honors Green Bay for its groundbreaking, community-led efforts to advance health equity, dismantle systemic barriers, and build a future where all residents can thrive.

But this prize isn’t just an accolade. It’s a validation of something deeper: the collective power of trust, culture, and community.

A Shared Vision, Rooted in Culture

The award is the result of a collaborative application submitted by four key agencies deeply embedded in the fabric of Green Bay:

• Wello – advancing systems-level health equity through strategic partnerships and community data.

• We All Rise: African American Resource Center – providing trauma-informed, culturally specific services for Black survivors and families.

• COMSA: A Resource Center Serving Immigrants and Refugees – creating belonging-based supports for resettled communities.

• Casa ALBA Melanie – empowering Latino families through bilingual navigation, cultural preservation, and wraparound care.

Together, these agencies form a coalition that rejects competition in favor of deep collaboration. From language justice to crisis response, from urban farming to trauma healing, these organizations have proven that when community leads, change follows.

“This is not a trophy. It’s a call to action—to fund this work, to trust this leadership, and to expand what’s already proven to work.” — Robin Scott, Executive Director, We All Rise: African American Resource Center

Why Green Bay?

RWJF recognized Green Bay not only for its visionary leadership but for how the city has reimagined what health truly means. Instead of treating health as a checklist of individual behaviors, Green Bay’s leaders embraced a more holistic, collective model. They created a first-of-its-kind framework to measure wellbeing across physical, mental, emotional, and cultural dimensions—anchored in resident experiences, community wisdom, and structural truth.

"To be healthy in a new country, you don’t just need a clinic. You need connection. You need someone to say, ‘You belong.’” — Said Hassan, Executive Director, COMSA

What the Award Means

In addition to national recognition, the award comes with a $250,000 unrestricted investment—split between the four partner agencies. These funds will go directly toward strengthening:

• Youth development and mentorship

• Culturally rooted healing and education

• Crisis response for survivors

• Housing stabilization

• Mental health services

• Local food systems

But that’s not all.

To multiply the impact, we have launched a $250,000 local match campaign—calling on local businesses, foundations, and individuals to join the movement.

“If you’ve ever asked what you can do to build a healthier Green Bay—start here.” — Amanda Garcia, Executive Director, Casa ALBA Melanie

What You Can Do

• Donate to the match campaign: Your gift will double the impact of this national investment. Give now via Zeffy

• Watch the announcement: View the full press conference on Facebook

• Share the news: Amplify the announcement on social media and help us spread the word.

• Invest in local leadership: Fund the work of community-rooted organizations who are building systems of care and change.

• Listen and learn: Follow each agency to understand what culturally specific support looks like—and why it matters.

"This isn’t a risk. This is who we are." — Natalie Bomstad, Executive Director, Wello

As Green Bay joins over 60 prize-winning communities across the country, one thing is clear: this is more than an award. It’s a mirror of what we’ve survived—and a window into what’s possible.

Let’s rise together.