The March of Dimes Maryland-National Capital Area Community Grants Program supports local programs that further the mission of the March of Dimes, which is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.  Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education and advocacy to save babies.  The Maryland-National Capital Area Chapter sponsors several local programs and services—many through its community grants.

The chapter 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 Quality Health Care for Women and Infants
2. Increasing Quality of Health Care for Women and Infants
3. Increasing Availability of Prevention Services
4. Increasing Availability of Folic Acid Education

Eligibility

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 a 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, the chapter board of directors or a division board of directors.

The applicant must provide services in Maryland; Washington, D.C.; and/or the following areas in Northern Virginia:  Alexandria, Arlington County, Fairfax City, Fairfax County, Falls Church, Prince William County, Manassas, Manassas Park, Loudoun County and Fauquier County.

Funding Available

The chapter community grants fund for 2009 is approximately $248,140.  It is anticipated that 8 to 12 projects will be funded with awards ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 each.

Request for Letters of Intent

The first step in the application process is to submit a two-page Letter of Intent and the Cover Sheet in an e-mail to the March of Dimes.  [The Cover Sheet and the Request for Proposals (RFP) brochure are located at the bottom of this page.]  The Letter of Intent is limited strictly to two pages and must address the following eight questions:
 
1. Which of the funding priorities (listed in the Request for Proposals brochure) is the project addressing?
2. Which of the following three groups is the target audience?

• All women of childbearing age (15 to 44 years)
• Pregnant women
• Babies in the first year of life

3. How many people will the project reach?  Please consider the cost-per-person ratio.
4. What are the measurable objectives?

• Please include no more than three
• One of these objectives must be measurable
• For more information on program evaluation, please visit http://www.managementhelp.org/evaluatn/fnl_eval.htm
  

5. How will project success be evaluated?  Please base your answer on your listed objectives.
6. What impact will the project have on one or more of the following: knowledge, behavior or birth outcomes?
7. What is the amount of funding requested?
8. What are the major budget categories?

Conference Call Trainings

Grant preparation training calls will be held at 9 a.m. June 19 and 3 p.m. June 25.  The calls will last between 60 and 90 minutes.  To join the conference calls, please call (800) 411-7650 and enter code 148123# at the prompt.

2009 Grant Schedule

Letter of Intent Due:  July 31, 2008 (4 p.m.)
Invitation to Apply:  September 9, 2008
Full Proposals Due:  October 3, 2008
Notification of Awards: January 2009
Grant Period:  January 2009 - December 2009

Send the Letter of Intent and Cover Sheet in an e-mail to the following two contacts:

Dona Dei, RN/MSN
State Director of Program Services
Maryland-National Capital Area Chapter
2700 S. Quincy St., Suite No. 220
Arlington, VA 22206
(703) 824-0111, ext. 14
DDei@marchofdimes.com

Anne Eder
Director of Program Services
Maryland-National Capital Area Chapter
Central Maryland Division
175 W. Ostend Street, Suite C
Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 752-8073
AEder@marchofdimes.com

The deadline for submitting the Letter of Intent and Cover Sheet is 4 p.m. Thursday, July 31, 2008.