Maternal Health and Birth Equity Initiative

Maternal Health and Birth Equity Initiative

Status: Active; pilot round of grantmaking launching spring 2025

Geographic Scope: Washington, D.C. and Prince George's County, Maryland

Focus Areas:

Maternal health crisis

Birth equity

Support for Black women's maternal health

Midwives, doulas, and birth workers support

Training programs to improve care of Black women and infants

Background

The Women's Foundation completed a comprehensive birth equity landscape analysis examining the maternal health crisis in the region, collecting public health data and engaging with local stakeholders including midwives, doulas, and nonprofit organizations.

Key Findings

• Significant funding gaps identified
• Actionable recommendations provided to guide future grantmaking
• Critical need for improved maternal health outcomes for women of color

Grantee Partners

• The National Association to Advance Black Birth (focuses on promoting midwives, doulas, birth workers, and training programs)
• SheRises, Inc.
• Martha's Table
• Healthy Babies Project, Inc.

Contact

Address: 712 H Street NE, Suite 1099, Washington, DC 20002 Phone: (202) 347-7737 Email: info@wawf.org Tax ID: 52-2028612