2025
“Advancing Healthy Births” SWMPQIC Grant Opportunity

SWMPQIC will be awarding up to 7 mini grants in the amount of $50,000 each to support community-led efforts in improving disparate birth outcomes and ensuring healthy births in Region 8 (Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph, Branch, Calhoun, Kalamazoo, and Van Buren counties).

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Award Overview

Through a request for proposal process, one-time funding received through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, will be available to local organizations and programs in Region 8 to support community-led efforts in improving disparate birthing outcomes and ensuring healthy births. Interested entities must submit an application and budget, inclusive of items detailed below, by December 20, 2024. Applicants will be notified of funding decision via email by February 1, 2025.

 

Examples of activities that may be eligible for funding include, but are not limited to:

• Supporting childbirth education classes/certification through implementation or expansion of evidence-based curriculum. Education does not need to occur through a health system/hospital, but can be provided through community-based organization, Doulas, home visiting programs, etc.​

• Implementation of recommendation or activity in alignment with the priority areas found within the Advancing Healthy Births plan or FIMR/MMMS Aligned Recommendations document.

• Supporting efforts aimed at improving breastfeeding rates (initiation and duration) in the region.

• Providing infant safe sleep education and supplies to vulnerable populations.

• Outreach initiatives that increase access for pregnant/postpartum people who face significant barriers to consistent healthcare (e.g., people experiencing homelessness, people affected by substance use disorder, people who are not U.S. citizens).

• Supporting efforts related to perinatal substance use disorder (e.g., implementing universal screening protocols at perinatal appointments; utilization of non-pharmacological care of infants born substance-exposed, as appropriate; support peer navigator program, etc.).

• Assuring care coordination and access to supportive services in prenatal and postpartum periods for the pregnant/birthing person and the infant (e.g., home visiting programs; substance use treatment; a doula; WIC, and etcetera).

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Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to receive a mini-award, applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Be based within Region 8 (Branch, Berrien, Cass, Calhoun, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and Van Buren Counties) and/or serve residents of Region 8.

• Currently serving underserved populations or populations affected by disparate birth outcomes, as shown in available data.

• Represent a non-profit organization, local tribal organization, community-based organization, LLC, or local/county level agency.

• Commit to spending the full award amount by September 30, 2025.

• Members and associated agencies of the Proposal Review Committee are not eligible for funding.

 

The funds allocated with each mini grant will need to be fully expended by September 30, 2025.

 

Application Process and Documents

Those who wish to be considered for a mini-grant award must submit an application by December 20, 2024. A blank score sheet is also provided here for your viewing.

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Please submit your application to Alaina Dequaine at adequain@mphi.org by December 20, 2024.

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Funded Organization Requirements

• Proposals must target persons living or working in Prosperity Region 8.

• Funds must be expended by September 30, 2025.

• Complete one 30-minute progress check in meeting with SWMPQIC leadership by June 30, 2025, and a final report check in meeting by October 15, 2025.

• Attend SWMPQIC quarterly collaborative meetings on February 18, 2025, May 20, 2025, and August 19, 2025.

• Compensation related to personnel or consulting services must be reasonable and comparable to that paid for similar work in the labor market.

• Travel expenses should follow the state rates for food and travel. https://www.michigan.gov/dtmb/services/travel

 

Unallowable Costs

• Capital expenditures such as building or land purchase or construction

• Advertising unless those that are solely for program outreach and specific purposes necessary to meet goals of the project 

• Alcoholic Beverages

• Entertainment except where they have a programmatic purpose

• Fundraising activities

• Goods or services for personal use

• Lobbying activities

 

Selection Criteria

Applications that meet all the eligibility requirements will be evaluated and rated by a Proposal Review Committee appointed by SWMPQIC Leadership. The Proposal Review Committee will use a scoring matrix method for determining awardees. Proposals with the highest scores will receive the highest consideration for funding.

 

Questions

Click HERE for a recording of the information session (and HERE for the slides) on November 19, 2024, at the SWMPQIC Quarterly Collaborative Meeting. If you have any questions about completing this application, please contact Alaina Dequaine at adequain@mphi.org.

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Frequently Asked Questions:

As the proposal review committee receives questions from your peers we will add them and their answers here publicly for everyone to consider.

 

• Can grant funds be used for renting or buying space?

The Advancing Healthy Births Grant can be used to pay for space for an event or program, but not for rent for a business or for general operations.

 

• Can grant funds be used to support families with young children who are not infants?

Unfortunately, a stipulation set by MDHHS (where the funds originate) is that the funds directly impact pregnant or postpartum individuals and infants which is typically defined as babies until their first birthday. SWMPQIC has to follow these guidelines as they award funds.

 

• If an agency doesn’t feel that they can spend the whole $50,000, can they write the proposal for a lesser amount?

No, SWMPQIC will be awarding 7 grants for the full $50,000. Awarding grants for a lesser amount would increase the number of grants/contracts and administrative burden beyond the capacity of the fiduciary and of those responsible for reporting/grant check ins.

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Advancing Healthy Births Grant Timeline

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