Request for Applications: Black Maternal Health Week 2026

bi3 believes every mother and young child should have access to the supports they need to grow and thrive—from pregnancy through early childhood. Much of our work focuses on reducing health gaps that impact Black women and families and serve as barriers to good health outcomes.

BMHW gives us the chance to:

• Raise awareness about Black maternal health and the organizations working to support Black mothers and babies
• Lift up stories of joy, strength, and resilience
• Advocate for systems and policies that support better outcomes
• Pilot new approaches that can serve moms and babies in the future

2026 will be the third year bi3 has recognized Black Maternal Health Week. Our goals this year:

1. Support a policy advocacy opportunity that brings together community members and legislators
2. Highlight the work of bi3 partners (including TriHealth) through our communications
3. Offer a limited number of Spark Grants—small grants (up to $7,500)—to support community events and activities connected to BMHW

Watch our newsletters and social media channels for updates and opportunities as the week approaches.

A Spark Grant is a small grant (up to $7,500) that helps organizations learn, explore ideas, and test new approaches. These grants support connection, learning, and early-stage development that align with an organization’s mission.

For Black Maternal Health Week, bi3 will offer a limited number of Spark Grants to projects that meet all of the following requirements:

1. Event Requirements:
   • The project must include a free, public-facing event or activity that takes place during BMHW (April 11–17) in Hamilton, Butler, Warren, or Clermont Counties in Ohio. The event must include at least one of the following:
     • A celebration or recognition of perinatal health workers (such as OBs, doulas, community health workers, social workers, or therapists) who support Black maternal health
     • Education and awareness activities for a specific audience (such as healthcare providers or pregnant people and their partners), with clear actions people can take
     • Activities that celebrate joy and community for Black birthing people

2. Learning and Exploration Requirements:
   • The event must support learning, connection, or exploration, and help the organization test or grow ideas related to its mission.

3. Lasting Impact Requirements:
   • The project must have clear goals and purposes that extend beyond Black Maternal Health Week.

Spark Grants are meant to support strategic, future-focused work, with potential outcomes that extend beyond Black Maternal Health Week.

To be eligible to receive a bi3 grant under this opportunity, organizations must:

• Be a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization
• Have an existing and explicit focus on addressing Black maternal health
• Provide services in Hamilton, Butler, Clermont or Warren counties in Ohio
• Request funding between $2,000 and $7,500, aligned with the size and scope of the engagement

Funds cannot be used to support healthcare levies, individual political campaigns, annual operating support, emergency requests, scholarships, endowments, or grants to individuals.

bi3 will prioritize projects that bring together multiple partners. We aim to fund a variety of event types for different audiences throughout the week.

In addition to the applying organization’s commitment to promotion, bi3 will share a list of all funded engagements to increase community awareness and spur participation (where applicable). By mid-March, organizations will be required to submit:

• A photo or simple flyer for the event
• Official event name and short description
• Finalized location, time and date information
• Any social media accounts we should tag as we share out

After Black Maternal Health Week, organizations that receive funding will submit a short report that includes:

• The number of people who participated
• Key takeaways and impact
• Photos from the event (with permission)