photo courtesy of the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles

The Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles announced on Jan. 16 that it has awarded $1.1 million to seven local nonprofits addressing infant and maternal health, primarily focused on racial disparities in maternal health care for Black families in Los Angeles.

The foundation cited an alarming statistic to illustrate the need for the grants. Due to systemic inequities in the health system, Black mothers and infants in the United States and Los Angeles in particular die at more than double the rate of white mothers.

The record-high amount of funds directed through the foundation’s General Community Grants program will provide multi-year awards of up to $200,000 to programs that improve Black maternal and infant health in three areas: direct access to prenatal and birthing services and care; advocacy efforts facilitating systemic change for better access to health resources, services and benefits; and support to grassroots nonprofits and leaders on the frontlines of the work.

The foundation’s General Community Grants sustain programs focused on high-priority issues throughout Los Angeles. Past cycles of grants have focused on addressing older adult poverty, education equity, homelessness, domestic and sexual violence, and human trafficking. Over the past decade, the foundation has awarded nearly $6 million through the initiative.

The new programs receiving General Community Grants are Black Women for Wellness and its Advancing Black Maternal and Infant Health in Los Angeles program; the California Black Women’s Health Project’s Maternal Health Ambassadors Program; CinnaMoms and its Utilizing the CinnaMoms Model to Support Healthy and Joyous Birth Outcomes program; and the Compton Girls Club’s Black Young Mothers Support Program. Also receiving grants are Maternal Mental Health NOW for the Mental Health Support for New and Expectant Parents program; Mighty Little Giants Inc.’s Support for NICU Families project; and Therapeutic Play Foundation, Inc.’s Mommy Matters Program.

“The data underlying racial disparities in maternal and infant death rates are staggering,” said Rabbi Aaron B. Lerner, foundation president and CEO. The foundation’s grants will provide essential care, support and community resources. Healthier and more joyous births benefit everyone and the outcomes of early intervention continue for decades. We are proud that our General Community Grants funding will positively impact the lives of more than 1,000 of our community’s newborns and their families.”

Established in 1954 and celebrating its 70th year, the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles manages approximately $1.3 billion charitable assets entrusted by 1,400 families. The foundation partners with donors to shape meaningful philanthropic strategies, magnify the impact of giving and build enduring charitable legacies. In 2022, the foundation and its donors distributed $160 million to more than 2,500 nonprofits. For information, visit jewishfoundationla.org.