New Jersey Chapter 2012 Community Grant Program
Letter of Intent Application
The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission 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.
Premature birth is the leading cause of newborn death worldwide. Even babies born just a few weeks too soon can face serious health challenges and are at risk of lifelong disabilities. In 2003, the Prematurity Campaign was launched to address the crisis and help families have healthy, full-term babies. The campaign funds research to find the causes of premature birth, and to identify and test promising interventions; educates health care providers and women about risk-reduction strategies; advocates to expand access to health care coverage to improve maternity care and infant health outcomes; provides information and emotional support to families affected by prematurity; and generates concern and action around the problem.
As part of this effort, the New Jersey Chapter community grants program is designed to invest in priority projects that further the March of Dimes mission, support campaign objectives, and further our strategic goal of promoting equity in birth outcomes.
FUNDING PRIORITY AREAS
Proposals will be accepted from organizations with the capacity, competence and experience to accomplish project goals and objectives. Priority will be given to projects that meet one or more of the following criteria: a) are evidence-based; b) include measurable outcomes; c) promote equity in birth outcomes. Projects may focus on consumers and/or health care providers. The March of Dimes does not fund billable health care provider services.
Providing or enhancing preconception health education and/or services. For more information, see the National Preconception Curriculum and Resources Guide for Clinicians at www.beforeandbeyond.org.
Providing or enhancing premature birth risk reduction education and/or services. Risk reduction projects include, but are not limited to:
Providing smoking cessation education and/or services to pregnant women. Preference should be given to prenatal health education and information/referral services that utilize the "5 A's" counseling approach. For more information, go to: www.acog.org/from_home/departments/smoking/smokingslides.ppt
Increasing health education and information/referral services available to pregnant women who use alcohol or other drugs.
Focusing on premature birth recurrence prevention such as education about “17P” (17a hydroxyprogesterone caproate) treatment for women who have had a previous singleton premature birth.
Implementing community programs that aim to promote equity in birth outcomes. This may include March of Dimes programs like Stork’s Nest®, Project Alpha and Becoming a Mom/Comenzando bien®.
Enhancing services for pregnant women with chronic diseases that increase the risk of premature birth such as diabetes and hypothyroidism.
Enhancing services for women who have experienced previous loss relevant to subsequent pregnancy.
Enhancing care through the CenteringPregnancy® model of group prenatal care. For more information, go to www.centeringhealthcare.org
Initiating a quality improvement program related to premature birth prevention with the goal of catalyzing systems change.
Enhancing participation in breastfeeding rates in mothers of preterm infants.
FUNDING AVAILABLE
The applicant must provide services in New Jersey’s geographic boundaries. The chapter community grants fund for 2012 is approximately $250,000. It is anticipated that 8 projects will be funded, with awards ranging from $10,000 to $75,000 each. Chapter community grants are approved for one year.
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.
LETTER OF INTENT FORMAT
The first step in the application process is to submit a Letter of Intent. The letter is limited to two pages and must address the following eight questions:
1. Which of the funding priorities is the project addressing?
2. Who is the target audience?
3. How many people will the project reach?
4. What are the measurable objectives?
5. How will project success be evaluated?
6. What impact will the project have?
7. What is the amount of funding requested?
8. What are the major budget categories?
Proposals must address at least one of the funding priorities listed in this brochure.
An original and electronic copy of the Letter of Intent must be received in the chapter office by June 3, 2011.
REVIEW AND NOTIFICATION
A multi-disciplinary Program Services Committee will review the Letters of Intent. Applicants selected to submit a full proposal will be notified by June 24, 2011. Full proposals will be due to the chapter by August 19, 2011. Please be advised that Letters of Intent and proposals are non-binding.
GRANT SCHEDULE
Letters of Intent Due June 3, 2011
Full Proposal Invitations June 24, 2011
Full Proposals Due August 19, 2011
Notification of Awards January, 2012
Project Year Jan. - Dec. 2012
For more information contact:
Laurie Navin, DPS
March of Dimes
New Jersey Chapter
2400 Main Street Ext., Suite 1
Sayreville, NJ 08872
(732) 952-9010
Please Note:
March of Dimes chapter community grants do not fund scientific research projects. For information about research grants funded by the March of Dimes national office, please go to marchofdimes.com/research.
2012 Community Grant documents:
Click here to open the SMART Outcome Objectives
Click here to open the Chapter Grant Budget Form
Click here to open the Chapter Grant Agreement Form
