Apply For Grants

FAM’s mission encompasses 4 funding areas. (Read FAM’s Mission, Vision, and Values.)

• Research initiatives support research activities relating to the midwifery model of care.
• Public education initiatives provide education to the general public, expectant parents, midwives, student midwives, and/or policy makers regarding the midwifery model of care.
• Advocacy impacts legislative and policy issues regarding maternal and child health care and/or women’s health that favors using the midwifery model of care and midwives as care providers.
• Health equity initiatives implement the midwifery model of care as a solution to meeting the maternal and child health care needs or the most vulnerable with a goal to reduce infant and maternal mortality rates, increase health equity, and reduce health disparities.

The Foundation grants an average of $4,000 to each project with typical grants ranging from $2,000 to $15,000.

At FAM’s Spring Board & Staff Retreat in April 2019, we articulated guiding principles for FAM’s grantmaking in order to more fully realize our mission, vision, and values. This is a living document, which we expect will continue to evolve in partnership with grantees. Please check out the links at the end to learn more about our inspirations and guiding resources.

Who do we fund?

• Grants that are consistent with FAM’s values
• Grants that meet FAM’s ethical criteria for community participation
• Grants “by the community, for the community”
• Grants centering Equity, Racial Justice, Movement Building, and Midwifery

What do we fund?

• Project-based grants
• Unrestricted funds that may include operations, capacity building, and sustainability (only applicable for 501(c)(3) grantees)
  
• Organizational leadership development

Application process

• Accessible
• Transparent
• Not onerous

Accountability

• For grantees: Ask our grantees to define: “What does success look like and how do you measure it?” and consider metrics that may be qualitative, quantitative, or community-driven
• For FAM: Implement good stewardship by seeking feedback and being accountable to our donors and grantees

Impact: Punching above our weight

• Support opportunities for grantees to build community among each other
• Use our platform to promote the activities of our grantees
• Provide additional support within our capacity including mentoring, technical assistance, and fiscal sponsorship

Inspiration and Guiding Resources for FAM’s Grantmaking Principles

• Our grantees: their work and their feedback
• The Black Mamas Matter Alliance (e.g. “Decolonizing Research” 2019 Webinar)
• Black Women Birthing Justice
• Kimberly Seals Allers (e.g. “Getting It Right: Ethics & Engaging African American Communities for Breastfeeding Support” Webinar)
• Decolonizing Wealth by Edgar Villanueva
• Many more thought leaders who have shared their work at Decolonize Birth, Birth Summit IV, Black Maternal Health Conference, MANA Conference, SisterSong, and other venues for advancing equity and racial justice in maternal health

• FAM does not provide individual scholarships.
• FAM funds projects in North America only.
• FAM does not make grants to large public charities such as United Way, March of Dimes, Salvation Army, government agencies, political or religious organizations.
• FAM supports organizations that are diverse in their leadership, staffing, and service on the basis of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin.
• FAM reserves the right to prioritize support for organizations working within FAM’s areas who serve those that have been subject to economic, social, political, or other forms of discrimination.

FAM grants are intended to provide support for one year. Consideration of continued support in subsequent years requires submission of a proposal of planned activities for the next year, and is based on demonstrable progress of any currently funded project and the availability of funds. FAM will not necessarily give priority to previously funded projects.