The March of Dimes South Carolina Chapter is accepting applications for 2015 community grants. The Chapter will award more than $300,000 in community grant funds to organizations in South Carolina to address unmet maternal and child health needs.

“The Chapter utilizes community grants to invest in projects that further the March of Dimes mission, support our National Prematurity Campaign objectives and further the strategic goal of reducing disparities in birth outcomes in our state,” said Breana Lipscomb, Director of Program Services for the March of Dimes South Carolina Chapter. “These grants are one way the March of Dimes pursues its mission of preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.”

To be considered for grant funding, projects must be evidence-based, and may focus on consumers and/or health care providers. Funding priorities for 2015 include:

Providing smoking cessation education and/or services to pregnant women or women of reproductive age.
Implementing community programs that aim to reduce disparities in preterm birth.
Improving maternal health during the interconception period by enhancing services for women with conditions that increase risk of premature birth.
“The South Carolina Chapter believes that we can improve the health mothers and babies through partnerships with organizations whose services directly align with the March of Dimes mission,” Charles Rittenberg, MD, volunteer Program Services Committee Chair said.

Organizations interested in applying should request an application by emailing SCGrants@marchofdimes.com. Applications are due by 3:00 pm on September 5, 2014. Late applications will not be accepted. For more information, contact the March of Dimes South Carolina Chapter at 803-403-8522.

Each year, the South Carolina Chapter of the March of Dimes invests in mission initiatives statewide, including research grants and local community services. Through these program services, the March of Dimes continues working to prevent birth defects and infant death, reduce South Carolina’s premature birth rate, increase access to prenatal care and educate healthcare providers and women about having healthy babies.

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.org/southcarolina.  Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.