chapter bg


       Each year, local March of Dimes chapters award grants to external organizations across Virginia in order to address unmet maternal and infant health needs. These community grants are one way that the March of Dimes pursues its mission of saving babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.

       The Virginia Chapter of the March of Dimes invests nearly $200,000 yearly in grants to local communities funding programs to decrease premature birth, increase access to prenatal care, and educate women and men about having healthy babies. Click here for a complete list.

       National Research grants explore ways to prevent birth defects and prematurity. The national March of Dimes currently funds research grants to Virginia universities and hospitals totaling over $2,000,000. 

       Since the victory over polio, the March of Dimes has worked to protect our nation’s young from birth defects, premature birth, and other threats to their health. Millions of babies have been saved from death or disability. The babies in every state benefit from national research grants funded by the March of Dimes. In addition, we still work toward the day when every baby has the best possible chance to be born healthy.

Click here for our Mission Investment in Virginia Report.

  
About the VA Chapter Community Grants Program
 

CLICK HERE to access our VA Chapter 2010 Community Grant Application. 

All Grant Applications will be completed via a new ONLINE process. 

Electronic Letters of Intent are due by 4 p.m. on Nov. 20. 

The Virginia Chapter Community Grants Program is designed to invest in priority projects that further the March of Dimes mission, support national and state 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:

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

Projects interventions may be provider and/or consumer focused. Interventions must be provided within the local chapter's specified geographic area.

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.

Below is a complete list of our currently funded projects in Virginia as of Jan.4, 2009:

1. Chesterfield Health District – 2nd year $24,999 MADRES - CLICK HERE for a story about this award-winning program!
2. EVMS - 2nd year $34,650 for Centering Pregnancy® services and 3 day professional training conference in Portsmouth.
3. Family Maternity Center of the Northern Neck – 1st year $29,700 Centering Pregnancy® in Lancaster, Northumberland, and Middlesex counties.
4. Richmond WIC Outreach – 3rd year. $30,098 Latino Outreach
5. Southern Dominion Health Systems – 1st year. $14,427 Centering Pregnancy® in Emporia/Greensville Birthing Center.
6. Southwest Perinatal Council – 3rd year $15,169 Baby Basics, low literacy prenatal education in Washington, Smyth and Tazewell counties.
7. Three Rivers Health District– 1st year $8,278 Centering Pregnancy® Salary for two district staff members who are certified program facilitators will support the project at Family Maternity Center of the Northern Neck.

Community Awards:
1. Albemarle Regional Health Systems, NC – Folic acid education & vitamins, $2,479
2. Central Health, Lynchburg – Breastfeeding Support Program, $3,000
3. Healthy Families of Blue Ridge – In-Home Pregnancy Workshop, $3,000
4. Healthy Families Partnership, Hampton – Welcome Baby program, $3,000  
5. Tidewater Lactation, Norfolk – Breastfeeding Support Group, $3,000

For more information about the chapter community grant program and how to apply, contact the Virginia Chapter of the March of Dimes at (804)968-4120.