March of Dimes Inc
March of Dimes Inc is a public charity based in Arlington, Virginia. Its work supports the health of moms and babies through research, education, advocacy, and programs, with stated goals that include preventing maternal health risks and deaths, preterm birth and infant death, and closing the health equity gap.
March of Dimes Inc at a glance
In short: March of Dimes Inc gave $4.4M across 24 grants in 2024 (avg $183K), top state California. 29% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $4,387,325
- -43.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 24
- -46.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $182,805
- +6.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $60,755
- Total assets
- $64,169,362
- -5.4% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 29% first-time grantees (7 of 24, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- California (30% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to March of Dimes Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: 1550 Crystal Drive 1300, Arlington, VA 22202
Phone: (888) 663-4637
Website: https://marchofdimes.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
8 open opportunities from March of Dimes Inc
Agnes Higgins Award
March of Dimes Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Agnes Higgins Award in Maternal-Fetal Nutrition Grant
March of Dimes Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Basil O'Connor Starter Scholar Research Awards Grant
March of Dimes Inc
Amount
US $150,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who March of Dimes Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania ($1.0M). Together the top 10 received $3.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
165 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 73 grants of 165 (44%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization describes its work as serving families nationwide. Its 2024 filing reports that grant dollars went primarily to recipients in California (30%), Pennsylvania (27%), and Ohio (14%), followed by Massachusetts (5%) and Illinois (5%). The listed 2024 grants also included recipients in other states, including Tennessee, New York, Oregon, and Minnesota.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 24 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is March of Dimes Inc open to new grantees?
29%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 7 of 24 grantees (29%) were first-time recipients. With only 24 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 4 points. First grants averaged $90K; repeat grants $221K. How we count
Medians: $60K first-time, $62K repeat.
- 63% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+1%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $3.4M (2020) to $7.7M (2023). In 2024 it made 24 grants totaling $4.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA | Research & Medical | $1,048,955 |
| Stanford University School of Medicine San Francisco, CA | Research & Medical | $750,000 |
| Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Cincinnati, OH | Research & Medical | $625,000 |
| The Regents of the University of California Los Angeles, CA | Research & Medical | $544,359 |
| Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Chicago, IL | Research & Medical | $200,000 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center Nashville, TN | Research & Medical | $200,000 |
| Boston University Boston, MA | Research & Medical | $150,000 |
| New York Presbyterian Hospital New York, NY | Research & Medical | $91,252 |
| Oregon Health & Science University Portland, OR | Research & Medical | $80,392 |
| The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA | Research & Medical | $80,000 |
Ready to take the next step with March of Dimes Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $64,169,362 | $83,573,258 | $86,667,092 | $4,387,325 | 24 | $1,679,522 |
| 2023 | $67,854,062 | $88,512,222 | $94,886,069 | $7,694,161 | 45 | $333,272 |
| 2022 | $72,400,131 | $104,990,667 | $113,589,942 | $3,747,530 | 28 | $-768,905 |
| 2021 | $88,338,195 | $103,313,398 | $102,800,561 | $4,327,920 | 30 | $2,467,684 |
| 2020 | $74,954,887 | $100,854,404 | $99,802,168 | $3,426,718 | 38 | $2,994,987 |
| 2019 | $72,557,610 | $129,607,332 | $125,705,437 | $6,337,105 | 56 | $9,245,569 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
March of Dimes states that its mission is to lead the fight for the health of all moms and babies. Its website describes work across research, programs, education, and advocacy. Research priorities include translational work intended to improve pregnancy and birth outcomes; its Discovery Research Grants specify spontaneous preterm birth and cardiovascular conditions that develop or worsen during pregnancy.
The 2024 filing describes collaboration with local organizations, partners, and funders on issues including infant mortality, preterm birth, maternal mortality, and severe maternal morbidity. Its reported research and medical activities included work at a Prematurity Research Center, investments through the Innovation Fund, mobile health centers, and NICU family support. Its education and advocacy activities included professional training, public information, and legislative advocacy.
The 2024 grants listed in the filing largely supported research and medical work at universities, hospitals, and medical centers. For example, the University of Pennsylvania describes its mission as combining education, research, and patient care; Cincinnati Children’s says it aims to improve child health through research, education, and innovation. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not March of Dimes’ own.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, March of Dimes reported 24 grants totaling $4,387,325. Grant amounts ranged from $7,500 to $1,048,955, with a median of $60,754. The largest listed awards were $1,048,955 to the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, $750,000 to Stanford University School of Medicine, $625,000 to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, and $544,359 to the Regents of the University of California. Each was designated for research and medical purposes.
The organization’s website describes several research awards. Discovery Grants support established researchers pursuing translational research in specified maternal and infant health priority areas; the stated award is $200,000 over two years, inclusive of 10% indirect costs. The website also describes the Basil O’Connor Starter Awards for early-career researchers and the Reproductive Scientist Development Program and Pediatric Scientist Development Program for early-career professionals.
The March of Dimes Innovation Fund invests in early-stage companies, preferably those seeking Seed or Series A funding, and provides an initial application for companies seeking investment consideration. This is an investment program, distinct from the grants reported in the filing.
The Graduate Nursing Scholarship is for registered nurses enrolled in graduate-level maternal-child nursing programs in the United States and provides $5,000 awards. Its listed September 30, 2026 deadline has passed. The Richard B. Johnston, Jr., MD Prize and the Agnes Higgins Award in Maternal-Fetal Nutrition are also described as award programs; the available information does not provide application deadlines for them.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Ellen Kelsay as chair; Phyllis A. Dennery, William A. Fitzgerald, and Karen W. Johnson as vice chairs; Andrew J. Dahle as treasurer; and Sue Schick as secretary. Trustees listed include Judy L. Aschner, Craig Best, Amy L. Casseri, and Juan Salgado-Morales. The filing notes William A. Fitzgerald’s term ended in June 2024, Craig Best began in December 2024, and Juan Salgado-Morales’s term ended in December 2024.
March of Dimes Inc is led by Cynthia H. Rahman, Interim President & CEO since 2024 (on filings since 2019); 12 of 35 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Cynthia H. Rahman
Interim President & CEO
Senior Vice President Chief Mo → Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer, 2020
Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer → Interim President & CEO, 2024
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$250K (2019) → $342K (2024)
Elizabeth K. Cherot
President & CEO
CMO, President & CEO → President & CEO, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$439K (2023) → $255K (2024)
Ellen Kelsay
Chair
Trustee → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Douglas D. Hawthorne
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Juan Salgado-Morales MD
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Judy L. Aschner MD
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Muhammad Shahzad
Trustee
Trustee → Treasurer, 2021
Treasurer → Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sharon Mills Higgins
Trustee
Secretary & Chair → Chair, 2022
Chair → Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tonya Lewis Lee
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amy L. Casseri
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian Thompson MD
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ellen Stang MD
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jay S. Greenspan MD
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Judette Louis MD
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Austin Pittman
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tim Spilker
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Craig Best MD
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dana Martin
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Emma Goltz
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nicole Alexander-Scott MD
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Adrian P. Mollo
Senior Vice President General Counsel & Assistant
Senior Vice President Gc & Assistant Secretary → Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Assistant Secretary, 2020
Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Assistant Secretary → Senior Vice President General Counsel & Assistant, 2024
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$276K (2019) → $58K (2024)
Deirdre Maloney
Senior Vice President & Human Resources
Vice President & Human Resources → Senior Vice President & Human Resources, 2024
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$233K (2019) → $255K (2024)
Frederick A. Brogdon
Senior Vice President & COO
Senior Vice President, COO & Board Officer → Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, 2022
Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer → Senior Vice President & COO, 2024
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$298K (2019) → $235K (2024)
Kelly Ernst
Senior Vice President & Market Impact
Senior Vice President Market Impact → Senior Vice President & Market Impact, 2022
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$216K (2019) → $299K (2024)
Candice Christopher
CFO
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$158K (2023) → $301K (2024)
Karen W. Johnson
Vice Chair
Interim President & CEO → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$174K (2023) → $0 (2024)
Aaron C. Mushro
Assistant Vice President & Digital
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$196K (2024)
Alison A. Ale
Vice President & Market Impact
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$254K (2024)
Chauncey McCall
Acting Chief Mktg Officer
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$213K (2024)
L'kel C. Little
Senior Vice President & General Counsel
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$247K (2024)
Stacey Brayboy
Senior Vice President Pub Pol & Government Affairs
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$213K (2024)
Sue Schick
Secretary
Vice Chair → Vice Chair & Secretary, 2021
Vice Chair & Secretary → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William A. Fitzgerald
Vice Chair
Treasurer → Treasurer & Vice Chair, 2021
Treasurer & Vice Chair → Vice Chair, 2022
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Phyllis A. Dennery MD
Vice Chair
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andrew J. Dahle
Treasurer
Trustee → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (39)
- Former: Alison A. Spera (2019–2023) — Vice President & Market Impact
- Former: David L. Lakey MD (2019–2023) — Vice Chair
- Former: Lorna Street (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Stacey D. Stewart (2019–2023) — Former President & CEO
- Former: Everett B. Ward (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Juan Salgado - Morales Facog MD (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Rochelle S. Siegel (2021–2023) — Senior Executive Director Mkt Impact
- Former: Heather J. Martin (2023) — Vice President Operations
- Former: Karyn L. Demartini (2023) — Vice President, Major, Principal & Planned Giving
- Former: Sandy Torchia (2023) — Trustee
- Former: Darlene R. Slaughter (2019–2022) — Vice President, Chief Div., Incl. & Engage. Ofc
- Former: David C. Damond (2019–2022) — Senior Vice President, CFO & Assistant Treasurer
- Former: Gretchen Carlson (2019–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Monica Luechtefeld (2019–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Nicholas M. Difranza (2019–2022) — Senior Vice President & Chief Tech Officer
- Former: Andrew S. Coccari Jr. (2020–2022) — Senior Vice President & Chief Development Officer
- Former: Zsakeba T. Henderson MD (2021–2022) — Senior Vice President McH Imp Dep Md of
- Former: Paul Ziv (2022) — Vice President & Associate Chief Operating Officer
- Former: F. Sessions Cole III MD (2019–2021) — Vice Chair
- Former: Rahul Gupta (2019–2021) — Senior Vice President & Chief Med Hlth Officer
- Former: Charles J. Lockwood Md Mhcm (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Matan Parnes (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Anne G. Gallivan (2021) — Vice President Event Fundraising
- Former: Donald K. Warne Md Mp (2021) — Trustee
- Former: Dana W. Points (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: David J. Hampton II (2019–2020) — Senior Vice President & Chief Development Officer
- Former: Florenda H. Newton (2019–2020) — Vice President & Corporate Engagement
- Former: Frank Wall (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Harry E. Johnson Esq. (2019–2020) — Secretary
- Former: Laverne H. Council (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Donald K. Warne MD MPH (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Alfredo Gangotena (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Charles J Lockwood M (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Donald K Warne MD M (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Gary Dixon (2019) — Chair
- Former: James Colbert (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Kelle H. Moley (2019) — Senior Vice President Chief Scientific Officer
- Former: Lisa F. Waddell MD (2019) — Senior Vice President McH Imp & Dep Med Officer
- Former: Regina Benjamin MD (2019) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $342K, to Cynthia H Rahman (Interim President/CEO (Beg 06/24)). 12 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about March of Dimes Inc
How much does March of Dimes Inc give each year?
March of Dimes Inc gave $4.4M across 24 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $7.7M across 45 grants.
What is March of Dimes Inc's typical grant size?
March of Dimes Inc's median grant in 2024 was $60,755, and its average grant was $182,805, across 24 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from March of Dimes Inc that year got $90K on average.
Where does March of Dimes Inc give grants?
March of Dimes Inc's top state is California, with 30% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Pennsylvania (27%) and Ohio (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were Philadelphia, PA (3 grants) and Boston, MA (2 grants).
Does March of Dimes Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 24 grants with a stated purpose on March of Dimes Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Research & Medical" (24 grants).
Who are March of Dimes Inc's largest grantees?
March of Dimes Inc's largest 2024 grantees include The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania ($1,048,955), Stanford University School of Medicine ($750,000) and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center ($625,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 55% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is March of Dimes Inc?
March of Dimes Inc reported $64.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $83.6M.
What does March of Dimes Inc fund?
March of Dimes states that its mission is to lead the fight for the health of all moms and babies. Its website describes work across research, programs, education, and advocacy. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from March of Dimes Inc?
March of Dimes Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check marchofdimes.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is March of Dimes Inc's EIN?
March of Dimes Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-1846366. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS September 1, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 6, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 19, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 19, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in March of Dimes Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
American Cancer Society Inc
Atlanta, GA
The American Cancer Society funds cancer research, patient support, and advocacy, including grants to researchers, institutions, and related organizations. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,648 to $9.6 million, with a median of $15,000; research funding supports institutions across the United States. It accepts applications for specific research programs through ProposalCentral, but the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests generally.
Assets
$1.7B
Grants
509
Total Given
$23.1M
American Heart Association Inc
Dallas, TX
The American Heart Association funds basic, clinical, behavioral, translational and population research on cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and brain health, along with research training and education programs. In 2025 it awarded 833 grants totaling about $198 million; amounts ranged from $5,000 to nearly $9.93 million, with a median of $20,000. Research awards are for eligible U.S.-based nonprofit institutions, and the profile describes a formal proposal process but does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$2.0B
Grants
833
Total Given
$198.2M
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
Emory University primarily funds research and subcontract work for universities, hospitals, research organizations, and other organizations, across a range of academic and health-related fields. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,500 to $19.1 million, with a median of about $97,000; 41% of grant dollars went to Georgia recipients. The profile does not state whether Emory accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$24.9B
Grants
362
Total Given
$183.7M
Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Inc
Princeton, NJ
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation supports health access and stronger health systems, with a focus on adult and pediatric cancers, blood disorders, brain health, and clinical-trial participation in the United States, Brazil, India, and ten Sub-Saharan African countries. In 2024, its median grant was about $134,000, though awards varied widely; it does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests, and advises prospective applicants to contact the Foundation about its process.
Assets
$83.3M
Grants
144
Total Given
$67.7M
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Bethesda, MD
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation funds cystic fibrosis research, drug development, specialized care, and related training and clinical programs. In 2024, its grants had a median of about $150,000, with awards ranging from $2,800 to nearly $12.9 million; it supports work nationwide. Applications are submitted through specific funding opportunities, but the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$5.0B
Grants
624
Total Given
$189.6M
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Princeton, NJ
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation funds efforts to improve health and health equity in the United States, including systems change addressing structural barriers to health. In 2024, its grants ranged from $125 to $12.15 million, with a median of $40,000. It typically funds through targeted programs and partnerships; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$13.4B
Grants
3,093
Total Given
$622.6M
More similar funders
More Funders in Virginia
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). March of Dimes Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/march-of-dimes-inc-morg_9305ebba12304b6e85658feb1f626d8f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_131846366_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{March of Dimes Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/march-of-dimes-inc-morg_9305ebba12304b6e85658feb1f626d8f},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-05. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from March of Dimes Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
March of Dimes Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?