Perinatal Health Initiative
Structural racism and barriers to accessing health care resources lead to direct adverse health impacts for people of color. While disparities in health outcomes across racial and ethnic groups are often narrower in the Commonwealth than they are in the nation, clear disparities persist across many key outcome measures in Massachusetts. These disparities in health outcomes occur at an alarming level when it comes to pregnancy-associated mortality and severe maternal morbidity.
In 2024, the Foundation launched a one-year Perinatal Health Initiative grant program to support efforts to improve perinatal health disparities. The grant program was informed from over 30 maternal and perinatal health stakeholder interviews – resulting in 14 grants across the Commonwealth.
The new 2025 Perinatal Health Initiative grant program provides community based organizations with grants ranging from $30,000-$60,000 a year for two years to support efforts to improve perinatal health outcomes in Massachusetts. These grants are intended to fund an organization’s work in one of the three following categories:
- Community Education & Supports
- Policy & Advocacy
- Build, Support & Sustain the Perinatal Care Team
Please review the Grant Guidelines and FAQ for more information.
A webinar will be held May 29, 2025 at 12:30 p.m. Please register in advance.
Applications are due July 8, 2025 at 12 p.m.
The new grant portal will be available June 9th.