Annual & Final Reporting
Updated Reporting Guidance
If your grant has an award date before April 1, 2026 and is not structured as expenditure responsibility, then you are not required to submit the Annual or Final Narrative Report. Continue to submit annual and final financial reports for all grants, which are needed to trigger annual and final payments.
For grants with an award date on or after April 1, 2026, please consult the reporting guidance below.
We recently completed a yearlong research and assessment process that included a group of grantees and RWJF staff. The assessment resulted in a new RWJF Narrative Reporting process designed to be flexible, purpose-driven, and grantee-centered. The Foundation is dedicated to a Narrative Reporting process that strengthens relationships between partners and our program officers, fostering mutual learning for both. We believe this reimagined process better expresses RWJF’s values and our commitment to trust-based philanthropy.
Following is a recording of a recent training offered to grantees on the new narrative reporting process along with the slides shared at the training.
View the Grantee Training Video
View the slide pdf
At the time of your grant, speak with your RWJF program officer and choose the most suitable Narrative Reporting option for you and the funded project.
For partners awarded grants or renewals on or after April 1, 2026, you (or you and your team) will consult with your RWJF program officer at the time of the award to choose your preferred form of Narrative Reporting from a menu of options:
- A phone, video, or in-person conversation with your RWJF program officer to reflect on your grant and lessons learned to date;
- A written Narrative Report you will submit through the Grantee Hub that will center on the questions you and your RWJF program officer want to explore;
- A repurposed product (e.g., an impact report, a webinar, a report for another funder) you will submit through the Grantee Hub; or
- Other (if you have something else in mind, or feel that reporting is not necessary, talk it through with your RWJF program officer–we’re open to alternatives).
Note that you can change your choice later.
After one year, you and your RWJF program officer will learn together.
About 60 days before the year anniversary of your grant award or renewal, you will be reminded of your chosen reporting option. You’ll be prompted to submit a written Narrative Report or repurposed product through the Grantee Hub or to schedule a conversation by the grant anniversary. If you want to change your reporting choice at this point, please notify your RWJF program officer.
After the conversation or receiving your Narrative Report, your program officer will summarize the conversation or report in a brief internal document, noting progress and opportunities, and ensuring RWJF is doing all it can to support your work most effectively. If you have a multiyear grant, you will have an opportunity to change Narrative Reporting options as the grant progresses.
To submit a written Narrative Report or repurposed product, follow the instructions below.
Narrative Reporting
When is this report due?
The Annual Narrative Report is typically due 60 days after the end of each reporting period. However, as noted above, if your grant has an award date before April 1, 2026 and is not structured as expenditure responsibility, then you are not required to submit the Annual Narrative Report. Continue to submit annual and final financial reports for all grants, which are needed to trigger annual and final payments. If you wish to share updates with the Foundation, please feel welcome to reach out to your program officer.
The Final Narrative Report is due 60 days after the end of the grant period.
How to Submit the Narrative Report
If you have chosen to submit a written Narrative Report or repurposed product, see below instructions.
- Sign in to MyRWJF to access Grantee Hub
- Use the My Grants tile to select the grant for which you will submit a report.
- Select the menu icon on the upper right side of your grant Overview page, then select the Reporting menu item.
- On the Reporting page select the paper clip icon in the Upcoming report section.
- The Upload Narrative page will open. Use the Select File button to navigate to the file you would like to upload.
- When finished, press the Save button to submit your report.
Once the narrative report has been submitted, an email will be sent to the RWJF program financial analyst and assistant for this grant advising that the narrative report has been saved. As mentioned above, your RWJF program officer will be responsible for reviewing and summarizing your submission for our records.
Note:
- For grants managed by a national program office, the deputy director(s) of that program will be copied on this email notification.
- If there is a need to submit a revised report, please contact your program financial analyst.
Grantees managed by a national program office (NPO) might have more specific reporting requirements. Reach out to your NPO if applicable to clarify requirements.
Financial Reporting
When is this report due?
The Annual Financial Report is only required for multi-year grants. This report lets the Foundation know how you have spent the grant funds over the course of the reporting period. Annual Financial Reports are due 60 days after the end of each budget period.
The Final Financial Report is due 60 days after the end of the grant period.
Grant expenses are expected to follow the approved award budget. Financial reporting allows RWJF to monitor whether the grant expenses are staying on plan or whether adjustments to the plan will become necessary.
Note:
- Grantees managed by a national program office (NPO) might have more specific reporting requirements. Reach out to your NPO if applicable to clarify requirements.
- The following reporting instructions and templates apply to all grantees.
What to do if budget line items change from approved amounts?
How to Submit the Financial Report
Sign in to MyRWJF to access Grantee Hub. Use the My Grants tile to select the grant for which you will submit a report. Select the menu icon on the upper right side of your grant Overview page, then choose the Budget menu item.
On the Budget page select the Report Expenses button.
- The page that opens will display the current reporting period column highlighted. Enter in the expenses for this reporting period.
- Use the Comments on Reported Expenses text area to enter any explanation needed to accompany the reporting of these expenses.
- When finished, press the Save button to submit your expenses for review.
When the expenses have been submitted, an email will be sent to the RWJF program financial analyst and assistant for this grant advising that the annual expenses for review.
Note:
- For grants managed by a national program office, the deputy director(s) of that program will be copied on this email notification.
- If there is a need to submit a revised report, please contact your program financial analyst.
Grantees managed by a national program office (NPO) might have more specific reporting requirements. Reach out to your NPO if applicable to clarify requirements.
THE BELOW TEXT WAS COPIED AND PASTED AS TEXT TO STRIP ADDITIONAL FORMATTING. CN EDIT
Sign in to MyRWJF to access Grantee Hub. Use the My Grants tile to select the grant for which you will submit a report. Select the menu icon on the upper right side of your grant Overview page, then choose the Budget menu item.
On the Budget page select the Report Expenses button.
The page that opens will display the current reporting period column highlighted. Enter in the expenses for this reporting period.
Use the Comments on Reported Expenses text area to enter any explanation needed to accompany the reporting of these expenses.
When finished, press the Save button to submit your expenses for review.
When the expenses have been submitted, an email will be sent to the RWJF program financial analyst and assistant for this grant advising that the annual expenses for review.
Note:
For grants managed by a national program office, the deputy director(s) of that program will be copied on this email notification.
If there is a need to submit a revised report, please contact your program financial analyst.
Grantees managed by a national program office (NPO) might have more specific reporting requirements. Reach out to your NPO if applicable to clarify requirements.