Perinatal Safe Zone: Supporting Healthier Pregnancies Together
Click here to learn more about the ongoing initiative.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
St. David’s Foundation is pleased to announce the availability of funds to address timely and effective support for women in Central Texas most likely to be disproportionately impacted by poor perinatal outcomes. The term “perinatal” refers to the period pre-pregnancy, prenatal and postpartum. Healthy pregnancy outcomes require a supportive environment prior to, during and after the pregnancy itself. Early and continued investments during this perinatal period will reap health benefits that can pay dividends for years to come and span generations.
This Request for Proposals (RFP) seeks to support the establishment of a Perinatal Safe Zone in Central Texas by creating the community conditions to support healthy pregnancies, and health outcomes for women that have a two-generation benefit. Proposals that focus solely on infants are outside the scope. Responses to this RFP should describe activities that would occur in the perinatal period.
The population of focus for this RFP is women of reproductive age who are low-income and/or women of color due to their increased risk for lack of access to perinatal services and resulting birth inequities. The Foundation acknowledges self-determination as an important way to achieve health equity. To that end, the RFP will prioritize efforts designed by and led by the population most impacted by birth inequities.
Projects eligible for funding under this RFP fall into the following categories:
- Planning grants, for organizations exploring the launch of new initiatives, projects, or programs. Planning grants will be one-time funding, for a 6-month period. Receipt of a planning grant does not guarantee additional implementation funding. Maximum award per applicant is $25,000.
- Implementation grants, for the launch of new or expansion of existing initiatives, projects, or programs. Funding will be for 12 months. Maximum annual award per applicant is $150,000.
This request for proposals is open to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and public entities serving Central Texas. Total funding for planning and implementation grants awarded in 2021 is approximately $1 million. Additional funding will be made available in 2022 for implementation of competitive workplans originating from planning grants, and for implementation grant renewals. Funding is not intended exclusively for ongoing administrative operations.
Click here to download the full RFP (in English).
- Click here to review application questions in English.
Click here to download the full RFP (in Spanish).
- Click here to review application questions in Spanish.
Additional Information
The Foundation hosted a virtual information session on May 11 to assist applicants in understanding the goals of this funding opportunity, the connection to national work to establish perinatal safe spots and zones, and how to prepare their responses. The session also included a presentation on financial requirements and a question and answer portion. You can watch a recording of the session or download a PDF of the questions and answers at the links below:
Organizations applying for either planning or implementation grants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Be a tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization or a public entity (e.g. a municipality, health department, or university/school).
- Unincorporated organizations submitting a proposal must identify a 501(c)(3) organization that has agreed to function as its fiscal sponsor.
- Provide services to people living in at least one of the following Central Texas counties: Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, or Williamson. Note: applicants may have business or headquarter offices located outside of Central Texas.
- Statewide and national organizations able to demonstrate meaningful partnerships with local organizations and communities. The work must clearly benefit Central Texas residents.
- Demonstrate strong fiscal management, which at a minimum requires: program operations for at least 3 years; 2 consecutive years of a clean audit; and the ability to access working capital or line of credit that could cover at least 2 months of organizational expenses.
- Organizations with existing St. David’s Foundation funding may apply.
- Collaborations among multiple organizations are eligible to apply for either planning or implementation grants. Each organization must serve as the lead entity for their own, independent but complementary application that references the collaborative aspects of the work.
- Organizations that exclude participants or job applicants on the basis of race/ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation are not eligible for funding.
RFP Issue Date: May 3, 2021
Perinatal Safe Zone RFP Information Session: May 11, 2021, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Central Time.
Attendance optional. Session will be recorded and available to anyone registered.
RFP response date (by electronic submission): June 21, 2021 by 5 p.m. Central Time.
The Senior Program Officer reserves the right to accept late applications.
Review and Negotiations: July 2021
Notice of decision: Late August 2021
Grant period: September 2021
- Spans up to 6 months for planning grants
- Spans up to 12 months for implementation grants
For general questions about this opportunity or to schedule time to speak further, please email: RFP@stdavidsfoundation.org
Applications must be submitted to the Foundation by 5 p.m. Central Time Monday, June 21, 2021. The Senior Program Officer reserves the right to accept late applications. Applications that do not conform to the requirements described will not be accepted.
Contact RFP@stdavidsfoundation.org with technical issues with the online application.
Questions regarding the intent of this RFP, applicant eligibility, or technical issues with the online application may be directed to RFP@stdavidsfoundation.org.