Launched in 2003, the March of Dimes Prematurity Campaign is a multiyear, multimillion-dollar research, awareness and education campaign to help families have healthier babies. The campaign includes: 1) funding research to find the causes of premature birth, 2) educating women about risk reduction strategies, including the signs and symptoms of premature labor, 3) providing support to families affected by prematurity, 4) expanding access to health care coverage so that more women can get early and adequate prenatal care, 5) helping health care providers learn ways to help reduce the risk of early delivery and 6) advocating for access to insurance to improve maternity care and infant health outcomes. For information about how your organization can become more involved with this campaign, contact Diane M. Daldrup, State Director of Program Services at the Greater Kansas Chapter.

As part of this effort, the Greater Kansas 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 demonstrated 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/prevention services for all women of childbearing age and/or pregnant women,
2. Decreasing the rate of late preterm births, specifically through reduction of elective c-sections and inductions.

The applicant must provide services in the state of Kansas or within the counties of Cass, Clay, Jackson or Platte in Missouri. The chapter community grants fund for 2011 is approximately $77,000. It is anticipated that 3 to 4 projects will be funded, with awards ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 each.

ELIGIBILITY
In order to be eligible to receive a March of Dimes chapter grant, an organization must be an incorporated not-for-profit 501(c)(3) or for profit organization or government agency. The March of Dimes does not award grants to individuals. Applicants must disclose any conflict of interest due to representation by their organization on the chapter’s Program Services Committee or the Chapter or Division Board of Directors.

2011 GRANT SCHEDULE :
Applications due April 29, 2011
Notification of awards May 31, 2011
Contract & payment processed by June 30, 2011
Grant period July 1, 2011 – June 30, 2012

PLEASE NOTE: March of Dimes Chapters do not fund scientific research projects. For information about research grants funded by the March of Dimes national office, please refer to the March of Dimes Web site at marchofdimes.com or e-mail the Office of Research and Grants Administration at researchgrants@marchofdimes.com.