Birth Justice Rapid Response Fund 

(Birth Justice RRF)

The Birth Justice Fund – Rapid Response Fund (BJF-RRF) is a three- year opportunity to advance community power efforts led by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) birth justice (BJ) organizations to address implicit bias and structural racism and their impact on maternal and infant morbidity and mortality.

Purpose & Criteria

The Birth Justice Rapid Response Fund is intended to provide quick, nimble, and flexible funding to advance the birth and reproductive rights of BIPOC communities and as a result set agendas and influence policies, practices, and narratives to advance birth equity.  Our goal is to reduce barriers and increase accessibility to funds for the birth justice movement. The Fund is led by an Advisory Committee that consists of five organizations: Reproductive Health Impact, Groundswell Fund, SisterSong, Ms. Foundation and The Praxis Project Inc.

Grants can be up to $50,000 each and will be awarded for 1 year. Eligible organizations are able to request up to $50,000 for one (1) year grant terms. Extensions and/or additional funding may be requested at the end of the grant term. 

Organizations should consider applying if they meet the following requirements:

  • Currently work in the fields of birth equity and reproductive justice, with an explicit or organization-wide focus on issues that address structural racism, social injustice, and their impact on maternal and infant morbidity and mortality
  • An individual and/or social justice organization* led by and serving women of color (Black, Brown, Indigenous, Latine/x, Asian-American/Pacific Islander (AAPI)); transgender, gender-nonconforming, nonbinary, and queer people of color; low-income women of color; and/or low-income transgender, gender-nonconforming, nonbinary, and queer people of color
    • This funding allows for a wide range of potential applicants not usually eligible for funding from foundations.  This includes:
      • Independent 501c3 organizations
      • Projects that have a fiscal sponsor with 501c3 status
      • For profit organizations, individuals, and 501c4s with specific initiatives/programs (already in place or entirely new) that have a charitable purpose.  
        • Please note- if your organization is in the process of receiving your 501c3 status, please decide if you will apply as a non-501c3 or use your fiscal sponsor’s 501c3 status. Please do not submit 2 applications under both entities. 

Additional eligibility criteria includes:

  • BIPOC-led:  The majority of the organization’s leadership identify as people of color. This includes decision makers including the Board of Directors, if applicable.
  • BIPOC-serving:  The majority of recipients of the organization’s services and/or people impacted by the organization’s advocacy efforts identifying as BIPOC
  • Organizational budget disclosure: Willingness to share overall annual budget information. For example, if your organization has a budget under $2 million USD annually.  
    • Please note – Local branches of national organizations are eligible to apply provided that the local budget falls within the prescribed range.

Application Restrictions

As we are focused on meeting the needs of direct care birth justice organizations, we will NOT fund proposals that include the following: 

  • Projects located outside of the United States (U.S.-based proposals only, includes U.S. territories)  
  • Research or research-adjacent work (e.g., studies, non-program level evaluations, student dissertations and thesis projects)  
  • Independent writing projects (books, publishing, etc.) 

SELECTION PROCESS

The Birth Justice Rapid Response Fund is intended to provide low-barrier access to funds that can be used to respond to a variety of existing and emerging organizational and field needs. Applications for the second funding opportunity will be accepted beginning Wednesday, April 5th through 5pm ET, Wednesday April 26th, 2023. 

The selection committee will review the submissions using the following criteria:

  • Organization’s or project’s mission statement
  • Majority of the organization’s financial decision makers racial, ethnic, and gender information. This is self-defined and should include leadership and the Board of Directors.
  • Majority BIPOC clients and stakeholders (e.g., clients and community served)
  • Mission alignment with the goals of the national birth justice movement
  • Identified need(s) and urgency (including timeline, population, and geographic areas served)
  • Reputation in the field
  • Application title, and focus for proposed funding (project-based required for non 501c3s)
  • Website and/or social media handles to verify work and eligibility criteria
  • Funding request amount may not exceed a one time $50,000 request 
  • Likelihood of impact on systemic efforts to advance a birth justice agenda

How to apply

Please check out the application form online or contact us for assistance via email at BJF-RRF@rhimpact.org or by phone at (202) 656 – 0434. 

Video applications, phone/zoom “interview” applications, etc. are all acceptable application formats for consideration. 

Click Here to Apply

If selected, grantees must:

  • Provide a current W-9 (includes social security or employer identification number)
  • Have a business checking account to complete the Praxis direct deposit form
  • Agree to share required grant application materials with Praxis for grant administration
  • Notify RH Impact and Praxis of any administrative changes (e.g., staffing) as soon as practical. 

Payment

  • The grant agreement will be issued, and funds will be received by grantee organizations within 6-8 weeks of full application submission with complete payment information.

Reporting

  • A streamlined reporting process will occur at the end of the grant period, including phone interviews,  video submission, and/or grantee meetings.
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