The Greater Washington Community Foundation is proud to announce a new $1.4 million investment from CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) to the Developing Families Maternal Health Fund and the opening of a new round of grantmaking focused on improving maternal health outcomes in the Greater Washington region.
“CareFirst’s generous investment allows us to continue uplifting the vital work of community-based organizations tackling the root causes of maternal health disparities,” said Tonia Wellons, President and CEO at the Greater Washington Community Foundation. “Together, we are building a stronger, more just maternal health ecosystem that centers women of color and their families—because where you live, your income, and your race should never determine whether you survive pregnancy or childbirth.”
This investment will support nonprofit organizations working to dismantle the structural barriers to optimal health outcomes for mothers, infants, and families to ensure all women and children in our community can thrive.
“The fact that the United States trails every other developed country in maternal death rates is unacceptable — and avoidable,” said Brian D. Pieninck, President and CEO of CareFirst. “This is not just a healthcare challenge or a public health challenge — it is a health equity challenge. CareFirst’s investment in the Greater Washington Community Foundation’s Maternal Health Fund will help expand community-led solutions and build a healthcare system that works for every mother, every family and every community.”
Administered by the Greater Washington Community Foundation, the Developing Families Maternal Health Fund is a strategic initiative focused on improving health outcomes for vulnerable and marginalized populations by advancing innovative, community-based solutions and advocacy. This new round of funding, made possible through CareFirst’s partnership, will provide grants ranging from $150,000 to $200,000 for eligible nonprofit organizations over a two-year period.
Grant funding will prioritize organizations addressing the social and structural drivers of health, including access to care, economic stability, housing, mental health, food insecurity, and community support. The goal is to create long-term change by supporting culturally responsive, community-led solutions that improve maternal health and reduce rates of maternal and infant mortality.
This new $1.4 million investment from CareFirst brings the total funding available in the grant round to $2 million, significantly expanding the Fund’s ability to support the efforts of trusted community organizations serving those most affected by maternal and infant health disparities.
“I’m proud to be working with the Greater Washington Community Foundation and CareFirst on an issue that is extremely urgent and important,” said Andrea Miano, Fund Advisor for the Developing Families Maternal Health Fund. “This investment from CareFirst is a powerful endorsement of the community organizations that are leading the charge to transform maternal health outcomes in our region.”
The new grant opportunity officially opened on April 25. Nonprofit organizations based in and serving the Greater Washington region are encouraged to apply. For more information about eligibility, funding priorities, and how to apply, visit https://www.thecommunityfoundation.org/developing-maternal-health-loi.
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About the Greater Washington Community Foundation
For over 50 years, the Greater Washington Community Foundation has ignited the power of philanthropy to respond to critical community needs and build a thriving region where every person prospers. A galvanizing force for economic justice, The Community Foundation partners with generous individuals, families, and businesses, making it easy and effective for our donors to identify impactful nonprofits and support the greater good in the communities we call home. As the region’s largest local funder, the Greater Washington Community Foundation has invested $1.7 billion in building equitable, just, and thriving communities across DC, Montgomery County, Northern Virginia, and Prince George’s County. For more information, visit thecommunityfoundation.org.
About CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
In its 87th year of service, CareFirst, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is a not-for-profit healthcare company which, through its affiliates and subsidiaries, offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative services to 3.5 million individuals and employers in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia. In 2024, CareFirst infused over $403 million to support regional community impact to improve overall health and advance accessible, affordable, equitable, high-quality healthcare. To learn more about CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, visit www.carefirst.com.