Commitment to Birth Equity.
With Intentional Philanthropy.
The United States has the worst maternal health outcomes among peer nations, and women and infants in New Jersey are among those who experience the greatest challenges.
Forty-seven women die, on average, for every 100,000 live births in New Jersey, compared to 20 nationally.
Black women in the state are seven times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women
A Funders Collaborative
Five funders in New Jersey – the Burke Foundation, the Community Health Acceleration Partnership, The Henry and Marilyn Taub Foundation, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation with the Nicholson Foundation (as a Development Partner) — have come together to set up a funders collaborative to tackle birth inequities in support of Nurture New Jersey, a state-wide maternal and infant health strategic plan.
Cecile D. Edwards
Senior Manager
Cecile Edwards, M.Ed has a passion for maternal & child health/family wellness and believes it is a cornerstone to a well society. Cecile is a Postpartum Doula, Maternal Equity Consultant and Maternal Mental Health & Wellness Advocate, NJ Paid Family Leave Leader, Perinatal/Postpartum Family Coach assisting individuals, families, organizations in facilitating conversations and creating systems that improve maternal wellness via her business MommyEvolve. Cecile is a 16+ year educator and a member of Advocates for Children of New Jersey’s Parent Leadership Council. Cecile was a proud member of the New Jersey Birth Equity Funders Alliance Community Advisory Committee and is happy to continue to work side by side as the new Senior Manager for the New Jersey Birth Equity Funders Alliance. Cecile looks forward to working with philanthropic organizations and community organizations to build capacity for community work. Cecile loves to hike and travel. She lives in Somerset, NJ with her 14-year-old daughter.
Our Vision
Reduce maternal mortality in New Jersey and eliminate racial disparities in birth outcomes.
Our Mission
Advancing community-based solutions to address maternal mortality and birth equity in New Jersey, serving as a model for the wider field.
New Jersey Birth Equity Funders Alliance’s work is in alignment with the Nurture NJ initiative to improve birth outcomes and achieve equity in maternal and infant health.
Nurture NJ focuses on improving collaboration and programming between departments, agencies, and stakeholders to achieve its goal of making New Jersey the safest place in the country to give birth and raise a baby. Nurture NJ’s state-wide strategic plan includes reducing maternal mortality by 50% over five years and eliminating racial disparities in maternal and birth outcomes, such as maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, and infant mortality.
The Alliance members are deeply committed to leveraging our individual strengths and supporting communities and grassroots leaders to achieve birth equity.
Each organization goes about this differently while striving to be an authentic partner to communities and grassroots leaders.
Updates & News
June 1, 2022
The Community Advisory Committee and Alliance gathered in June to plan the launch for a fund for community-based organizations that support maternal health and birth equity
Open Applications
Call for Applications:
There are no open calls for submissions at this time.
Job Postings:
No Current Job Postings
Upcoming Program: Demystifying Maternal Health Data
Join us for a two-part virtual workshop exploring methods for data collection and interpretation. Panelists working in healthcare, higher education, the public sector, and tech will discuss ways in which data can be gathered and leveraged to advance birth equity.
We are always keen to hear from you—whether you have an idea, a question or want to update us with your work on birth equity in New Jersey.
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