August 17, 2004 (Newport, DE) – The March of Dimes announced today the availability of grant funds as part of its 2005 Grant Program. Through this program, the Delaware Chapter of the March of Dimes will award grants that support the organization’s prematurity campaign objectives and further the March of Dimes mission to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. 

The Delaware Chapter has begun accepting applications for 2005 grants and will continue to do so until September 17, 2004. Proposals will be accepted from organizations with the capacity, competence, and experience to accomplish project goals and objectives through one of the following strategies:

1. Increasing access to and quality of health care for women and infants
2. Increasing availability of prevention services
3. Increasing availability of genetics services and folic acid education

Applicants must provide services in Delaware.  The chapter community grant fund for 2005 is approximately $40,000. Chapter community grants are approved for one year, with funding beginning January 1, 2005. The grant period extends from January 1 to December 31, 2005.

“March of Dimes grants address significant maternal and child health issues that are of concern in our community, such as access to prenatal care and prevention services,” says Leslie Kosek, director of program services at the Delaware Chapter of the March of Dimes.

“These grants are one way the March of Dimes furthers its work of saving babies,” Kosek continues. “We are grateful that our successful fundraising efforts, such as WalkAmerica and Bikers for Babies RIDE, make it possible for us to support new efforts to help more babies be born healthy in Delaware.”

To request a copy of the March of Dimes grant application guidelines, please contact Leslie Kosek at (302) 225-1020. An original grant proposal and three copies must be received in the chapter office by 4:00 PM September 17, 2004. Please be advised that proposals are non-binding.

Proposals will be reviewed by the March of Dimes multi-disciplinary program services committee. Applicants will be notified of their proposal's status by January 1, 2005.

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education and advocacy to save babies.  In 2003, the March of Dimes initiated a new national campaign to reduce the rate of premature births.   For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at http://www.marchofdimes.com/ or its Spanish Web site at http://www.nacersano.org/.

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