Welcome to the first 2019 installment of the Foundation Communication, where we report all things Foundation! In our feature, you’ll find all of the latest news regarding AABC Foundation scholarships, grants, awardees, fundraising campaigns, and more.
Spring Fundraising Campaign
This April, you’ll have the opportunity to support our mission by being physically active during the Spring It On! 2019 AABCF Challenge! Join us on a virtual marathon through the DC area as we fund raise to advance the birth center model and improve maternity care in the U.S.
The virtual race starts on April 1st and participants will have until the end of the month to complete the 26.2 mile route. This is an all-exercise race, so you can participate in other physical activities, like cycling, yoga, HIIT training, or whatever gets you active to get your ‘miles’ in. Sign up as a racer, and as you move along the route, you’ll pass different points of interest; many with significance for the birth center model of care.
This virtual marathon will begin at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. and visit points of interest in the Smithsonian area, before heading into northern Virginia to visit a few parks and BirthCare & Women’s Health in Alexandria. The route then dives into downtown D.C. going east to Family Health and Birth Center, then back to the National Mall. If you finish the route with time to spare, keep logging miles and run the route again! Challenge yourself!
Click here to learn more! Can’t wait for more details? Like the AABC Foundation Facebook page or join our mailing list. We’ll make sure you hear the latest news about the race and when registration will open.
Check out our opportunities to Sponsor the race!
We Need You!
Are you ready to take a more active role with the AABC Foundation? We seek individuals committed to the birth center model of care to join our committees and board of trustees. Fill out our quick Volunteer Application Survey or contact lindabaysore@aabcfoundation.org to learn how you can get involved.
Scholarships
The AABC Foundation accepted applications for the Amy Ellen Polk Memorial Scholarship from January 14th to February 24th, 2019. The Foundation received 11 applications and will be reviewing them and awarding the scholarships in April. The Amy Polk Scholarship is a tuition grant to attend the AABC How to Start a Birth Center Workshop, whether online or in-person. Look for our next installment to learn about the scholarship winners.
Birth Center Grants Awarded
Congratulations to Andaluz Waterbirth Center (Portland, OR) and River City Midwifery (Henrico, VA) for receiving Membership Support Grants from the AABC Foundation this winter. Linsey Kornya, CPM, LM of River City Midwifery says that they are “really excited about the professionalism, support, and education opportunities conferred by membership.” We can’t wait for you to start taking advantage of all of your member benefits! The AABC Foundation offers Membership Support Grants to assist birth centers experiencing financial hardship in paying 50% of AABC membership fees. Current AABC members and first-time members are encouraged to apply, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year. In 2018, the AABC Foundation awarded 11 Membership Support Grants.
Birth announcements on display in the River City Midwifery waiting room.
Congratulations also to My Family Birth Center (Ogden, UT) and Empowered Pregnancy, PLLC (Kirkland, WA) who were each awarded an Accreditation Support Grant from the Foundation. Empowered Pregnancy opened their birth center January 2019 and are eager to “show the public that they are serious about safety and being a quality alternative to hospital birth” by becoming CABC accredited. The AABC Foundation offers Accreditation Support Grants to help birth centers with first-time accreditation or their annual fee if they’re experiencing financial hardship. Applicants must be current AABC members. In 2018, the AABC Foundation awarded 5 Accreditation Support Grants.
Research Grants
The AABC Foundation received eight exciting applications for a Research Grant this cycle. The applications are currently under review, and the awardees will be announced in late February. We’ll have more info in the summer issue of the Foundation Communication. The Foundation announces a call every November for Letters of Intent for research projects that relate to the birth center model of care. The Foundation then invites qualified projects to submit a more detailed application to be reviewed and approved. These grants can award up to $5,000 to a research project. Learn more on our Research Grants page and join our mailing list to learn about the next call for letters.
That’s all for this installment of the Foundation Communication! Check back this summer for the next edition to learn who received an Amy Polk Memorial Scholarship, which projects were given a 2019 Research Grant, and how our Spring It On! virtual race went!