For Immediate Release

January 30, 2026

Voices for Virginia’s Children Awarded Funding from the Developing Families Maternal Health Fund to Advance Maternal and Infant Health in the Greater Washington Region

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Richmond, VA — Voices for Virginia’s Children has been awarded a grant from the Developing Families Maternal Health Fund, managed by the Greater Washington Community Foundation and supported in part by a $1.4 million investment from CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst).

For this round, the Fund distributed $2.2 million to 11 organizations improving maternal and infant health across the Greater Washington region.

The Developing Families Maternal Health Fund supports organizations advancing prenatal and postpartum care, maternal mental health, economic stability and policy advocacy. Grants prioritize approaches that are community-based and culturally responsive—strategies proven to improve outcomes for birthing people and infants.

With this funding, Voices for Virginia’s Children advances policy reforms that improve social determinants of health and reduce racial disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes in Northern Virginia.

“Structural crises need structural solutions,” said Rachael Deane, Voices’ Chief Executive Officer. Improving infant and maternal health disparities in the Greater Washington region requires improving access to quality health care and economic supports through both direct services and policy reform. We are pleased that this grant will allow us to champion evidence-based policy solutions to ensure that all families can thrive.”

The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate among developed nations, and the crisis is especially severe for Black women, who are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. These inequities are mirrored

across the Greater Washington region, where social, economic and structural barriers

continue to affect families’ ability to access timely, high-quality care.

“These investments represent our commitment to building a maternal health ecosystem that centers the communities most affected by this crisis,” said Tonia Wellons, President and CEO of the Greater Washington Community Foundation. “Every one of these organizations is already embedded in the neighborhoods they serve, providing the kind of community-led, culturally responsive solutions that save lives and allow families to thrive.”

“Every birthing parent deserves access to safe, high-quality care. DC’s maternal mortality rate is higher than the national average—and that is unacceptable,” said Dr. Bryan O. Buckley, Head of Public Health at CareFirst. “Behind every statistic is a person, a family, and a community forever changed. Our investment in the Developing Families Maternal Health Fund reflects our commitment to advancing community-led solutions and strengthening a system of care that supports people at every stage of life.”

“Where you live, your income, and your race should never determine whether you survive pregnancy or childbirth,” said Dr. Marla Dean, Senior Director for Health Equity at the Greater Washington Community Foundation. “Yet that’s the reality too many women in our region face. These grants support organizations that are dismantling those barriers every single day.”

“These investments will support organizations at the scale needed to create real, lasting change,” said Andrea Miano, Fund Advisor for the Developing Families Maternal Health Fund. “These grants recognize that improving maternal health requires addressing everything from housing stability to mental health support to access to culturally responsive care—not just clinical interventions.”

To learn more about Voices for Virginia’s Children, visit vakids.org.

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About Voices for Virginia’s Children

Voices for Virginia’s Children envisions a Virginia in which our systems center young people, ensuring their ability to realize their brightest potential is no longer predictable by race, socioeconomic status, or geography. Voices champions public policies and legislation that achieve positive and equitable outcomes for young people. Visit www.vakids.org for more information.

About the Greater Washington Community Foundation

For over 50 years, the Greater Washington Community Foundation has ignited the power of philanthropy to respond to critical community needs and build a thriving region where every person prospers. A galvanizing force for economic justice, The Community Foundation partners with generous individuals, families, and businesses, making it easy and effective for our donors to identify impactful nonprofits and support the greater good in the communities we call home. As the region’s largest local funder, the Greater Washington Community Foundation has invested $1.7 billion in building equitable, just, and thriving communities across DC, Montgomery County, Northern Virginia, and Prince George’s County.

The Developing Families Maternal Health Fund, managed by The Community Foundation, is dedicated to improving health outcomes for vulnerable and marginalized populations in the Greater Washington region by fostering partnerships, supporting innovative solutions, and advocating for policy change.

About CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield

Nearing its 90th year of service, CareFirst, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is a not-for-profit healthcare company which, through its affiliates and subsidiaries, offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative services to 3.5 million individuals in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia. In 2024, CareFirst infused over $403 million to support regional community impact to improve overall health and advance accessible, affordable, equitable, high-quality healthcare.

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