Birth Justice Initiative Request for Proposals – Fall 2023

THIS GRANTMAKING INITATIVE IS NO LONGER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

The Ms. Foundation for Women’s Birth Justice Initiative is launching a second open call for proposals. We will provide two-year grants to birth justice organizations led by and for Black, Indigenous, and other women of color, including cis women, trans women, and non-binary people of color. Organizations eligible for funding must be implementing birth justice strategies that are rooted in movement building and organizing, and connected to the broader reproductive justice movement. Eligible organizations should also be serving the South, Midwest, Southwest, Alaska, Hawaii, or U.S. territories and working for change at a local or state-level. Ms. will award grants ranging from $50,000-$100,000, distributed over two years. Deadline for proposal submission is October 30 at 5:00pm ET. Details about eligibility criteria, assessment criteria, and application timeline can be found below. We strongly encourage all applicants to read the full Request for Proposals (RFP) before beginning your application.

Launched in 2022, our Birth Justice Initiative aims to: 

• advance equitable birth outcomes and experiences;
• strengthen the capacity, organizational infrastructure, and financial stability of grassroots Black, Indigenous and women of color-led birth justice organizations; and 
• expand the frame of birth justice to support intersectional movements and strategies that recognize the full spectrum of experiences and identities in birthing, parenting, and family building. 

We believe that Black, Indigenous, and women of color (including trans women and non-binary people) are key experts and should be decision-makers in shaping policy and culture change around birth justice. By investing directly into organizations led by and for women and girls of color, we are ensuring that the movement to address racial based disparities in healthcare, including birth outcomes and experiences, is led by those who are impacted most. Strengthening the collective power of communities of color is critical to addressing the root causes of these disparities and advancing birth justice for all.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for funding, applicants must meet all of the following eligibility criteria:

1. At least 50% of your organization’s leadership must include trans women, cis women, and non-binary people who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC). An organization’s leadership includes people with significant influence or decision-making power (i.e. the executive director, management staff, and advisory committee members or governing boards).
2. Organization’s primary mission must center Black, Indigenous and Birthing People of Color.
3. Organizations must be operating in the South, Midwest, Southwest, Alaska, Hawaii, or U.S. territories.
4. Organizations must have operating budgets no greater than $2,000,000.
5. Organizations must be a 501(c)(3) organization or fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3) organization.

Timeline

RFP Released	September 28, 2023
Information Session	October 5, 2023, 3-4pm ET
Proposal Due	October 30, 2023 at 5pm ET/4pm CT/2pm PT
Review Period	November 1, 2023 through January 2024
Award Notifications	By end of January 2024
Funding Distribution	Early 2024

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birth justice initiative Information Session Webinar Recording