The Iowa Chapter community grants program is designed to invest in priority projects that further the March of Dimes mission, support national campaign objectives, and further our strategic goal of reducing disparities in birth outcomes. 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

The applicant must provide services in Iowa.   The chapter community grants fund for 2007 is approximately $54,000.  It is anticipated that 8 projects will be funded, with awards ranging from approximately $3,000 to $10,000 each.   Chapter community grants are approved for one year.

In addition, $6,000 is available for small one-time projects.  There is a shorter application for these awards. Grants will range from $1,000 to $2,999 each.

Applications due                         September 25, 2006

Notification of awards               January, 2007

Grant period                                 January 2007-December 2007

The winner of the prestigious Elaine Whitelaw Volunteer Service Award for 2005 was John Baker from the South Carolina Chapter. This award is named for Miss Elaine Whitelaw, who contributed more than five decades of leadership, energy, vision and service to the March of Dimes. Her personal commitment to volunteerism gave momentum to the volunteer movement in this country. Each year since 1991, the Elaine Whitelaw Volunteer Service Award has been given to the individual who exemplifies volunteerism at its best.

John has been a March of Dimes volunteer since high school in the late 1960’s and currently serves as Chapter Chair. Under his leadership in 2004, the chapter enjoyed incredible growth in all areas. As a managing partner in a real estate development firm, John was the chapter’s first Real Estate Award honoree and later chaired the committee.

John leads by example and has made personal donations for just about every event in which he’s involved. He’s a talented volunteer recruiter, building committees for WalkAmerica, the African-American Achievement Award, the Governor’s Ball, Signature Chefs, and much more. He has increased corporate sponsorship, grown President’s Society membership, and led the chapter’s first Prematurity Summit.

John’s vision and new ideas will positively impact the lives of South Carolina’s babies in the years to come.