Perinatal Health Initiative Grant

The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation is dedicated to ensuring equitable access to health care for all residents of the Commonwealth, particularly those who are economically, racially, culturally, or socially marginalized. The Foundation views health as a complete state of physical, mental, and social well-being and recognizes structural racism as a public health issue. The Perinatal Health Initiative utilizes an inclusive definition of perinatal, covering approximately one year before pregnancy through one year postpartum. The Initiative arises from persistent disparities in pregnancy-associated mortality and severe maternal morbidity, particularly affecting Black and Hispanic individuals in Massachusetts. Informed by data from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Boston Public Health Commission, the Initiative addresses systemic barriers and disparities. In 2024, the Foundation engaged with stakeholders to refine its grantmaking approach, resulting in a two-year grant program for 2025-2027 focused on perinatal community education and supports, policy and advocacy, and building, supporting, and sustaining the perinatal care team. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organizations or those with fiscal sponsorship from such entities. Applicants must serve birthing people and families who are socially, economically, culturally, or racially marginalized. For each grant, organizations will select one focus area: providing community-based perinatal health education and supports; advancing birth justice policy and advocacy; or enhancing the perinatal care workforce, including doulas, midwives, lactation consultants, and perinatal health educators. Partnerships are encouraged, but funding cannot be used for lobbying, voter registration, or direct clinical care. Applicants must submit their proposals via the Foundation’s online grantmaking portal, which opens on June 9, 2025. A webinar and office hours will be held in June to support prospective applicants. The deadline for complete proposals is July 8, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. Selected grantees will be notified by the end of October 2025. Required application components include a project budget and narrative, organization budget, and IRS tax exemption documentation. Proposal narratives must address project summary, organizational qualifications, population of focus, goals and strategies, impact indicators, collaboration, community engagement, and project management. Grant awards will range from $30,000 to $60,000 annually, with an expected total of 11 to 15 grants awarded. Funding may support expansion of existing programs or development of new initiatives. Current 2024 Perinatal Health Initiative grantees are eligible to reapply. Interested applicants may direct program-related questions to Reena Singh, Senior Program Officer, and technical questions regarding the online portal to Evelyn Monteiro, Grants Management Administrator. Specific office hours with Reena Singh are scheduled in June to provide additional guidance.

Applicants are encouraged to register early for the new portal as approval can take up to 48 hours. Use the Foundation’s office hours and webinar for support.