The Greater Washington Community Foundation has partnered with the Developing Families Center (DFC) on the launch of its Developing Families Maternal Health Fund – a $5 million investment supporting life-saving maternal health efforts. The announcement comes ahead of Black Maternal Health Week, a national campaign to raise awareness around maternal health outcomes for women of color.
“The launch of the Developing Families Maternal Health Fund marks an important step in reversing existing disparities and biases, especially for women of color,” says The Community Foundation’s President & CEO Tonia Wellons. “Our collaboration with DFC brings forth the dire need for continued resources that promote positive maternal health outcomes, as the fund will support projects laser-focused on health equity.”
The new fund will invest in community-based organizations within Wards 5, 7 and 8, where women of color continue to experience health disparities and face socioeconomic and structural challenges when it comes to accessing affordable and quality maternal care.
Investments will be made in key focus areas that include systems of care, maternal health education and advocacy efforts, and projects that demonstrate DEI efforts and capacity building. The fund highlights an urgent need in DC, where Black women account for 90% of all-pregnancy related deaths.
“Through our funding efforts, we are able to support the advancement of accessible, quality and equitable maternal health programs, services and initiatives – giving women of color and their families a brighter outlook,” says DFC Executive Director Ruth Pollard.
Founded in 1994 by Dr. Ruth Lubic, a pioneer in the American nurse-midwifery movement, DFC was created to address the devastating decline of maternal and infant health care in District by empowering women of color through primary care, maternal and newborn care, social services, and early childhood development services.