ABOUT US
The bi3 Fund (“bi3”) is a 501(c)(3) organization on a mission to advance health equity and fuel innovation for all people in Greater Cincinnati by investing in trust-based partnerships. The vision of bi3 is that all people in Greater Cincinnati have a fair and just opportunity to achieve their best health.
BACKGROUND
Core to bi3’s focus on maternal and young child health is the belief that our community can be a place where every mother and young child has access to the care and resources they need to thrive, from pregnancy to early childhood. With the recognition that insufficient access to maternal mental health services is one of the barriers to thriving, we are looking to partner with local organizations to improve maternal mental health with an intentional focus on improvements for Black and Hispanic women. We have learned that focusing on reducing the largest disparities allows us to improve care for all and achieve the greatest change in health outcomes. Furthermore, improving maternal mental health not only helps moms but also has a positive impact on children, households, and communities.
The Improving Maternal Mental Health Request for Proposals (RFP) was released on March 25, 2025. Through this RFP, bi3 will invest in 3-5 projects and initiatives, up to $2 million.
As a trust-based funder, we are committed to centering community voice, particularly in our decision-making processes.
THE OPPORTUNITY
bi3 invites community members to work alongside us in the selection of projects and initiatives to be funded through the Improving Maternal Mental Health application process.
Up to five community members will be selected and asked to contribute roughly 10 hours (between June and August 2025) to the decision-making process, inclusive of training, independent proposal review, and group discussion. All selected reviewers who fully participate in the process will receive a $400 honorarium, paid via check. The deadline to apply is June 6.
WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
bi3 is seeking to engage community members who are passionate about and/or directly impacted by maternal mental health. We aim to bring together a community review team with a variety of personal and professional experiences and identities in areas including but not limited to:
- Pregnancy and early childhood
- Mental health and navigating mental health care (especially during pregnancy and the postpartum period)
- Policy and advocacy, particularly in maternal and/or mental health
- Black and/or Hispanic identities
We welcome pregnant people, parents, clinical and non-clinical professionals, advocates, and other people with expertise in maternal mental health to apply.
Beyond these identities, strong candidates for community review will likely possess the following traits/characteristics:
- A working understanding of and commitment to racial and health equity work.
- Connection to one or more counties within bi3’s geographic area (Butler, Clermont, Hamilton, and Warren Counties in Ohio).
- Ability to commit to fully participating in the process, from training to decision-making.
No previous grant review experience required.
Note: Staff and board members of applying organizations are ineligible to serve as community reviewers. Selected reviewers will not evaluate applications that represent a conflict of interest.
WHAT WILL COMMUNITY REVIEWERS DO?
Along with representatives from the bi3 Fund board, community reviewers will serve as the final decision-makers, determining the projects and initiatives funded through this Request for Proposals.
Decision-making steps:
bi3 will follow a two-step, competitive application process that includes an initial Letter of Intent phase and a full proposal phase.
- bi3 staff will review all Letters of Intent and determine approximately 10 projects and initiatives to move forward to the full proposal phase.
- For submitted full proposals, bi3 staff will conduct a quick review and in-depth financial review. Organizations where bi3 would have significant concerns about funding might be removed from further consideration.
- All remaining proposals will move to the community review phase, where community reviewers will maintain final decision-making authority.
| Stage | Date(s) | Description |
| Community Reviewer Selection | June 16 | Community reviewers will be notified of their selection, confirm training and review meeting dates.
Completion of conflict of interest and disclosure forms. Estimated time commitment: 15 min |
| Training | Week of July 7
(Specific dates dependent on reviewer availability) |
Community reviewers participate in live, virtual proposal review training including the evaluation rubric and how to access bi3’s online grants management system
Estimated time commitment: 1.5 hours |
| Independent Proposal Review | August 4 – 18 | Community reviewers independently review assigned grant proposals, using provided evaluation rubric and completed through online grants management system
Estimated time commitment: 7.5 hours |
| Discussion & Final Decision | August 25 – 28
(Specific date and time dependent on reviewer availability) |
All community reviewers come together to discuss reviewed applications and make final funding decisions.
Estimated time commitment: 2 hours |
Investment decisions will be communicated to applicants in mid-September 2025.
TO APPLY
Complete the application form by June 6, 11:59 p.m. Selection decisions will be communicated June 16.
Non-discrimination statement:
The bi3 Fund does not unlawfully discriminate internally (in its administrative and program operations) or externally (in provision of services and grants) on the basis of race, political orientation, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, or mental or physical disability or any other status prohibited by applicable law.