PRINCETON, NJ – The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and Northwest Health Foundation (NWHF) have awarded 10 new grants to begin the fourth phase of Partners Investing in Nursing’s Future, a national initiative to help address the long-term shortage of nurses in the United States.

The program provides support to local and regional philanthropy to develop strategies for creating and sustaining a viable nursing workforce. The grants awarded this year involve 19 local foundations and exemplify partnerships in 12 states.

“Nurses are the cornerstone of health reform and are the nation’s most direct link to patient safety and quality of care,” said Susan B. Hassmiller, a nurse and a senior adviser for nursing at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. “This unique partnership of the philanthropic community helps identify new approaches to solve the national nursing shortage, builds nursing leaders across the country and engages philanthropy on the local level.”

This is the fourth year of funding, totaling more than $10 million. In addition, Partners Investing in Nursing’s Future has leveraged more than $8 million in local and regional funding, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the projects.

“Despite the fact that a downturn in the economy has lessened the current shortage of nurses in some settings, our nation faces a growing shortage of experienced nurses in the near future,” said Judith Woodruff, a lawyer, director of nursing and workforce development of NWHF and program director for Partners Investing in Nursing’s Future. “While the current economic recession may positively impact the nursing shortage in many parts of the country in the short term, this lull also provides an opportunity for philanthropy to develop stronger relationships with nursing leadership at a crucial time.”

Through Partners Investing in Nursing’s Future, RWJF and NWHF are hoping that local and regional foundations create a domino effect – where innovative ideas are tested locally and shared nationally. Partners represent a diverse group planning a wide range of program initiatives.

Grant recipients are:

1. Arkansas Community Foundation (Arkansas)
2. The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida, Inc. (Florida)
3. The Community Foundation of the Great River Bend (Iowa)
4. The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation (West Virginia)
5. Hinds Community College Development Foundation (Mississippi)
6. John T. Vucurevich Foundation, with First Interstate Bank Foundation (South Dakota)
7. The Sangamon County Community Foundation, with Kindred Healthcare Foundation
8. Tufts Health Plan Foundation, Inc., with Edward J. and Virginia M. Routhier Foundation, (Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island)
9. Vetter Foundation, Nebraska Health Care Foundation, Iowa West Foundation and University of Nebraska Foundation (Nebraska)
10. West Central Initiative, Frank W. Veden Charitable Trust, The Initiative Foundation (Minnesota)