Statement of Purpose
The Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) and its Division of Maternal, Child and Family Health (MCFH) is launching a mini-grant initiative to support organizations working to improve maternal and infant health outcomes and to reduce inequities in maternal and infant mortality in Philadelphia. Grants of $10,000-$50,000 will be awarded to selected organizations.
Background
The mission of MCFH is to empower all Philadelphia mothers, children, and families to create and live healthy lives. MCFH is committed to eliminating racial health disparities and elevating community voice. This is accomplished through coalition building, data and evaluation, policy and advocacy, public health campaigns, direct service, and capacity building.
This mini-grant opportunity will support organizations working to improve maternal and infant health outcomes and/or to reduce inequities in maternal and infant mortality in Philadelphia. Organizations may apply for funding in any amount between $10,000 and $50,000.
The Philadelphia Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC) proposed multiple recommendations to address maternal mortality and morbidity, based on comprehensive review of maternal deaths coupled with surveillance data and relevant peer-reviewed research. These recommendations are:
- Address root causes of health inequity in the health care system.
- Tailor behavioral and mental health services to meet the specific needs of pregnant and postpartum women.
- Improve access to preventive, preconception, and prenatal care.
- Direct more attention to the postpartum period.
- Heighten awareness of high-risk pregnancy and postpartum complications in non-obstetric care settings.
- Strengthen coordination of services between health care and social service settings.
- Build infrastructure to identify and support women with history of intimate partner violence.
More details about each recommendation can be found in the 2020 Philadelphia Maternal Mortality Report. Applicants are also encouraged to review the ongoing work of the Philadelphia Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Program, Birth Justice Philly. Organizations who wish to apply for a mini-grant are encouraged to consider how their proposal relates to these recommendations and Birth Justice Philly’s mission.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be an incorporated business entity, such as an LLC, 501(c)(3), sole proprietorship, or other corporate designation. This grant opportunity is not limited to tax exempt organizations.
- Applicants must have an annual operating budget of less than $5,000,000.
- Applications submitted via a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor are eligible to apply
- Please note: the fiscally sponsored entity must demonstrate an operating budget below the $5,000,000 threshold.
- Applicants must serve Philadelphia residents.
Please note mini grants cannot fund:
- Individuals
- The formation of a new organization/company
Allowable expenses to include but not limited to:
- Facilitating access to healthcare and support during pregnancy and postpartum
- Fostering community connections and community empowerment as it relates to maternal and infant health
- Lactation support and education
- Doula services and education
- Mental health support for pregnant and postpartum people
- Nutrition and food access for pregnant and postpartum people
- Technical assistance (grant writing, budgeting, etc.)
- Tangible goods, such as materials and supplies
- Pilot new programs/projects in an already established organization
Awardees will be required to provide quarterly narrative reporting on progress.
These are to be one-time grants, and funding decisions will be made with that in mind. Applicants are encouraged to discuss project feasibility and sustainability under these circumstances.
Applications will be reviewed based on the following criteria:
- Financial viability of proposal
- Relevant experience/ability to achieve proposed tasks
- Evaluation (metrics, timeline, etc.)
- Understanding of population/s served by project
- Understanding of desired results/outcomes
- Overall application
Timeline and How to Apply
Applications will be accepted from February 7, 2025, to March 7, 2025, by 5:00pm EST. Applicants are required to complete the application and upload any requested materials using the application form.
Final decision notifications will go out by April 7, 2025, via email.
Questions about this opportunity were due to Emily Howell at emily.howell@phila.gov with a cc to cityfund@phila.gov by February 21, 2025. Responses to the questions have been posted as of February 25, 2025.
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The Philadelphia City Fund is serving as the fiscal sponsor for this initiative on behalf of MCFH. All selected grantees will receive a grant agreement and funding directly from the Philadelphia City Fund.