Direct Relief And Birth Center Equity Award $250,000 To Five Birth Centers

Direct Relief has awarded $250,000 across five nonprofit community birth centers in Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, and Washington to expand maternal and newborn healthcare in medically underserved communities, directrelief.org reported. The grants comprise the inaugural Community Health Awards launched in partnership with Birth Center Equity to support prenatal, birth, postpartum, and preventive services.

Grants target underserved maternity care deserts

The United States maintains the highest maternal mortality rate among high-income countries, with pronounced disparities affecting Black and Indigenous mothers. Nearly seven million women live in maternity care deserts where obstetric services are limited or entirely absent. Community birth centers address these gaps through care led primarily by certified nurse-midwives, certified professional midwives, and certified midwives.

Research links midwifery-led care models to lower rates of cesarean births, fewer low-birth-weight infants, higher rates of breastfeeding, and increased patient satisfaction. Birth Center Equity operates a network of more than 70 birth centers led by Black, Indigenous, and people of color across 26 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.

Every mother and every baby deserves the opportunity for a healthy start, and that begins with access to quality care from people they trust.

Amy Weaver, Direct Relief

Five birth centers receive initial funding

The inaugural funding distributes resources directly to five distinct regional organizations. Mujeres Ayudando Madres in San Juan, Puerto Rico, will expand partnerships to increase maternity care access across the island, including rural areas. Birth Detroit in Detroit, Michigan, plans to scale up midwifery services and add well-person care to address rising demand.

Breath of My Heart Birthplace in Española, New Mexico, will extend rural maternity care via culturally responsive programs supporting Indigenous families. Aya Birth and Community Wellness in North Carolina aims to increase freestanding facility capacity while expanding community volunteer outreach. South Seattle Women’s Health Foundation in Washington will prolong continuity of care past the traditional postpartum window to support families through a child’s fifth year.

Community birth centers are built in response to the hopes, dreams, and needs of the communities they call home.

Leseliey Welch, Birth Center Equity

Medical supplies and future awards planned

Beyond the financial awards, all five recipient organizations become eligible to receive donated medicines and medical supplies through the U.S. safety-net healthcare program operated by Direct Relief. Organizers have scheduled a second round of Community Health Awards for 2027.