DENVER, Colo., June 14, 2004 -- The Colorado Chapter of the March of Dimes today announced that it is soliciting proposals for year 2005 community service grants. Colorado nonprofits and other groups that provide health services to babies and moms are invited to apply. The deadline for letters of intent is Wednesday, June 30, 2004.

Those interested in applying may get more information by calling the March of Dimes at (303) 692-0011.

The priorities for March of Dimes funding in 2005 are projects that address premature birth and services that provide preventive healthcare. A total of $90,000 is available.

March of Dimes volunteers who are healthcare and public health professionals will review the letters of intent. Selected groups will then be asked to submit full grant applications, which will be due Thursday, September 30, 2004. Grant recipients will be announced in January 2005.

Currently, the March of Dimes funds ten community service grants across Colorado that total $89,638, plus a number of its own health education and resource programs. In addition, the March of Dimes is now funding nearly $1.4 million in medical research grants in the state.

The March of Dimes is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. To achieve its mission, the March of Dimes funds research, community services, education and advocacy. For more information, visit the March of Dimes at marchofdimes.com (English) and nacersano.org (Spanish).