“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.”
-Vincent Van Gogh
Merriam-Webster dictionary describes the butterfly effect as a property of chaotic systems by which small changes in initial conditions can lead to large-scale and unpredictable variation in the future state of the system. In other words, small changes can transform large scale systems. But what does this have to do with midwifery?
The synergy created by two or more people, like you, working together so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects can be that small change that leads to a system-wide change. The good news is you don’t have to have to be a deep-pocket donor like McKenzie Scott (nee Bezos) in order to make a meaningful impact on the midwifery community. Small amounts of money multiplied by the many people who support midwifery can create significant and lasting change. With your help, that is exactly what FAM has been doing for over 20 years – disputing the maternity system through small changes.
FAM launched the Birth Trust in 2010 so everyone could be part of this change-making community, especially our supporters who are on a budget. The Birth Trust is a grassroots led, monthly giving program of $20 or more whose members determine what organizations receive our grants. Since its inception, FAM has granted over 1 million dollars directly to organizations working to advance midwifery, primarily funded by individual donors like you. The Birth Trust is proof that small donations can make a big impact.
Because of individual donors like you, FAM has funded, in whole or in part, worthwhile organizations and events like these:
- The Big Push and Where’s My Midwife Campaign
- The Home Birth Summit
- MANA Stats Project
- Giving Voice to Mother’s Survey
- Indigenous Birthworker Gathering
- US-MERA
- Commonsense Childbirth
- Momato Village
- Ancient Song Doula Services’ The Pregnancy Kitchen
- Black Midwife Mentor Program
- Birth from the Earth
- COVID-19 Birth Worker Relief Fund
- Birth Center Equity Fund
- Indigenous Midwifery Fund
To see more of what we have funded visit https://formidwifery.org/projects-funded.
Become a part of that synergistic change today by joining the Birth Trust. This year, we are planning to update the Birth Trust with a modern and more convenient way for members to participate in the grant making process. Stay tuned for more details – members will be the first to hear about the new changes.
