Through the generous support of Our Supporters, we are excited to introduce the newly created COVID-19 Birth Worker Relief Fund. We are giving out over $330,000, in one-time, small grants to Black, Indigenous, People of Color Birth Workers (e.g. doulas, lactation support persons, and midwives, etc.) and BIPOC led public health programs and community-based organizations providing perinatal services and support to BIPOC communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This is a collaborative effort between the UCSF School of Nursing, the California Black Infant Health Program, and California Breastfeeding Coalition.
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Eligibility Criteria for the COVID-19 Birth Worker Fund
The purpose of this project is to provide one-time small grants, in the amount of $500-2500, to Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) Birth Workers - doulas, lactation support persons, midwives and birth centers, and BIPOC led public health and community based organizations that are working with and providing direct services to pregnant and postpartum BIPOC people and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
*Eligible Applicants*
• COVID-19 Birth Worker Fund applicants are composed of community members, leaders, advocates, providers, etc
• COVID-19 Birth Worker Fund recipients working in marginalized communities and Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) communities
• Birth Workers (e.g. lactation support persons, doulas, public health and community-organizations) providing high level commitment and investment to providing services to pregnant and postpartum BIPOC people, families, and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Demonstrated mission and vision which centers the perinatal needs of Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) communities
• Documented history of trusting relationships with marginalized communities and Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) communities
• Demonstrated commitment to addressing birth and breastfeeding equity in Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) communities during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Demonstrated leadership and organizing in support of marginalized communities and Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) communities
• Communities most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic: e.g. California, Texas, Florida, Arizon, New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, Indigenous communities, Migrant communities, and Farm and Agricultural workers, but not limited to these areas
• Priority in regions and communities with high inequities and marginalized communities
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* Eligible Requests*
• The purpose of this project is to provide one-time small grants, in the amount of $500-2500, to Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) Birth Workers - doulas, lactation support persons, midwives and birth centers, and BIPOC led public health and community based organizations that are working with and providing direct services to pregnant and postpartum BIPOC people and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Funding from the small grants can be used toward:
- Purchase of technological resources, software, or devices (e.g. tablets, smartphones, hotspots, headsets, Zoom or GoToMeeting subscriptions, etc.)
- Cover consultation fees to enable free support to clients
- Purchase of Target, Walmart, Safeway, etc. gift cards for client needs
- Purchase of Telehealth platform(s)
- Purchase of birth, breastfeeding, and lactation resources (e.g. nipple shields, diapers, wipes, bottles, infant scales, etc.)
- Cover promotion, marketing materials, and website updates
- Other pertinent needs, supplies, or resources
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*Total Awards*
The COVID-19 Birth Worker Relief Fund will make one-time, small grant awards ranging from the following categories: $500 to $2500, totaling over $200,000 in awards. The awarded funds must be expended and all project activities must be completed three months after the funds are disseminated.
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*Review and Vetting Process*
Award decisions will be made by a committee that includes faculty, staff, and leaders from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Nursing, California Breastfeeding Coalition, California Black Infant Health Program, HealthConnect One, and Christiana Care Health System. The committee will review applications for demonstrated commitment, goals, impact, and capacity, submitted.
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Application Scoring Criteria
*Evaluation Criteria*
A committee will review all application materials. Funding requests will be reviewed for the following:
• Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) led organizations
• Project description on the need, goals and activities
• Demonstrates commitment to addressing birth and breastfeeding equity in Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) communities
• Demonstrates track record in serving marginalized communities and Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) led organizations
• Project impacts regions and communities most burded by COVID-19 within the United States and US territories, but awards are not limited to these regions
• Funding request is clear and related to project activities
• Completed application
• Submission of required documents
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*Application Submissions*
Applications must be submitted online and completed by Friday, May 22, 2020 at 11:59PST.
Award notificiations will begin on June 20, 2020 and continue until the end of July. For questions please contact [email protected].
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