FLOURISH is in its second year of investing in projects that help close the gap between Black and white infant mortality in St. Louis – and applications are currently open for two grant opportunities.
In the past year, FLOURISH allocated approximately $950,000 to projects that address FLOURISH’s priority areas, as determined by the Community Leaders Cabinet: coordinated quality care, transportation, housing and safe sleep. The funding also included emergency COVID-19 response, such as providing groceries and diapers, and helping families pay rent and utilities. This year, FLOURISH plans to increase that investment to $1.4 million, which will fund two major grant buckets, as well as support further work in racial equity capacity building.
“The pandemic has created additional hardships that are disproportionately impacting the same zip codes that are at the highest risk for infant mortality,” said Leah Moser, director of planning and partnerships at Generate Health, FLOURISH’s backbone organization. “More than ever, Black families need better access quality health care and behavioral health services, safe housing and reliable transportation. Our hope is that increasing the dollars we are investing will help other organizations address more unmet needs for Black families – ultimately improving the health of Black moms and babies.”
Applications are currently being accepted for the following grants:
Community Mobilization and Innovation (CMI) Grant: This bucket was created for smaller organizations – such as churches and neighborhood groups – and nonprofits with an annual budget less than $500,000. The goal is to support community engagement efforts in the zip codes at greatest risk for infant mortality. Examples of CMI projects include:
- Providing baby-related supplies to families
- Leading peer groups/education for parents
- Connecting families to resources
- Assisting with housing challenges or transportation needs.
Learn more about applying for the CMI opportunity here. The deadline to apply is November 13.
Aligned Activities Grant: This grant is suited for larger and well-established nonprofits that can provide direct services related to FLOURISH’s priority areas. These projects might include:
- Enhancing community health worker and doula programs
- Strengthening racial bias training and patient feedback mechanisms with providers
- Expanding access to behavioral health services for perinatal women
- Developing neighborhood transportation solutions
- Raising awareness of non-emergency medical transportation benefits to Medicaid recipients
- Advocating for healthy housing policies
- Ensuring that transitional housing addresses the needs of Black pregnant and parenting families
- Implement safe sleep campaigns and support the supply of portable cribs in St. Louis
For a full list of project areas, as well as information about applying for an Aligned Activities grant, visit our website here. The deadline to apply is November 20.
