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.

In 2003, the March of Dimes launched the Prematurity  Campaign, 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.

As part of this effort, the SC 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.

Funding Available:

Each year, March of Dimes distributes more than $630,000 in grant funding to community projects improving the health of SC moms and babies. In 2009, grant projects addressing South Carolina 2009 Funding Priorities will be funded for $10,000 or more.  

Chapter Community Grant Schedule:

Letter of Intent Due	June 2, 2008
Full Proposal Invitations	June 23, 2008
Full Proposal Due	August 18, 2008
Notification of Awards	January 5, 2009
Project Year	March 1, 2009 - February 28, 2010

For additional information or technical assistance, contact Tojuana Fulton at (803) 252-5200 or via email at tfulton@marchofdimes.com