Gala to Grow Birth Centers
Save the date of Friday, October 8th to enjoy a swingin’ evening at the AABCF 2021 Gala to Grow Birth Centers: Sidecars at the Speakeasy.
The gala is usually held in conjunction with the AABC Birth Institute. With the pivot of the conference to all online, so will the gala. The event promises lively entertainement, live and silent auctions, and games - all to support the AABC Foundation.
We also seek sponsors for the gala each year! Become a Charleston, Lindy Hop, Fox Trot, Breakaway, or Jitterbug sponsor and join us as we strive to improve maternity and women’s health care. Your sponsorship benefits women and families across the country and speaks volumes about your commitment to the leading edge of women's maternity care. Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities at aabcfoundation.org/gala-sponsorship.
Thank you to our sponsors so far!
Charleston Sponsors: MedPro Group, a Berkshire Hathaway Company; Ryan Turner Specialty; The Midwife Plan by Southern Cross Insurance Solutions
Fox Trot Sponsors: XInsurance
Breakaway Sponsors: Judy Ruszkowski & Ken Regal; Elaine Wakeland
Scholarships
Congratulations to the 2021 Amy Polk Scholarship Recipients! The Amy Polk Scholarship is awarded in the form of a tuition grant to attend a How to Start a Birth Center Workshop. An additional $500 is awarded for travel expenses if the recipient is attending an in-person workshop. The 2021 Recipients are Mariah Alyce Brown (Tuscaloosa, AL); Katie Chubb (Grovetown, GA); Haddie Katz (Bloomington, IN); Brittany Watson (Norfolk, VA); and Adilah Yelton (Katy, TX).
We’d also like to congratulate the 2021 Lisa Ross Scholarship Recipients! This scholarship covers the registration fee for the AABC Birth Institute, as well as a $500 stipend for travel and lodging if attending in person. The 2021 Recipients are Triana Boggs (Plant City, FL); Katie Butler (Lafayette, CO); Alison Hart Bennett (Wausau, WI); Rodin Molina (Tucson, AZ); Michele Nizza (Monterey, CA); Kayla Smith (Jeffersonville, IN); Brandie Stoneking (Carmel, IN); Bridget Strub (Rochester, NY); Denise Washington (Austin, TX); and Alexandria Westlake (Eugene, OR).
The AABC Foundation will be accepting applications for 2022 Amy Polk Scholarships in January and will be accepting applications for 2022 Lisa Ross Scholarships in early spring of 2022. Learn more at aabcfoundation.org/scholarships
Research Funding
The AABC Foundation is accepting letters of intent now until November 5th 2021 to be considered for our 2022 Research Grant cycle. These grants provide up to $5,000 to support research projects on issues related to the birth center model of care.
Who can apply?
Open to individuals or organizations
Non-profit status not required
Research project related to the birth center model of care
A demonstrated capacity and a plan to complete the research in accordance with the project's timeline
Learn more at aabcfoundation.org/research-grants.
The AABC Foundation will now be considering requests for funding to make a research article “open access” in a journal that has selected their article for publishing.
The first recipient of Open Access Funding is “Being Known: A Grounded Theory Study of the Meaning of Quality Maternity Care to People of Color in Boston” written by Sanam Order-DeWan, MD, DrPH; Nashira Baril, MPH; et al and published in the Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health.
Proposals for open access funding will be accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year. Review and approval can take 2-3 months. Learn more and apply at aabcfoundation.org/open-access.
Grants to Support Birth Centers
Congratulations to the following birth centers that were awarded Membership Support Grants: Kodiak Birth & Wellness (Kodiak, AK); Heart of Gaia Midwifery Services (Brownsville, TX); Federal Way Birth Center (Federal Way, WA); Oregon Birth and Wellness (Springfield, OR); and Saige Birth Center (New Orleans, LA). Birth Center Membership Support Grants assist awardees with up to 50% of membership fees due to the AABC, whether you’re a birth center applying for membership for the first time, or if you’re renewing your membership while experiencing financial difficulties. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year. Learn more at aabcfoundation.org/membership-support-grants.
The AABC Foundation also offers grant opportunities for birth centers that are becoming accredited for the first time or renewing their regular fees. Applications for Birth Center Accreditation Support Grants are also accepted throughout the year on a rolling basis. Learn more and apply at aabcfoundation.org/accreditation-support.
Spring It On! Results
Lastly, thank you to our supporters for making the Spring It On! 2021 AABCF Challenge a success! With the help of 61 athletes, 9 sponsors, and numerous donations, the AABC Foundation raised $26,311 while virtually racing through the Joshua Tree National Park. That makes the 2021 Challenge our most successful challenge to date. Let’s make the Spring It On! 2022 AABCF Challenge even bigger!
Thank you again to our Spring It On Sponsors:
Coach Sponsors: AABC, Arizona Chapter of AABC, The Midwife Plan by Southern Cross Insurance Solutions
Assistant Coach Sponsors: Jill Alliman, CABC, Midwife Center for Birth & Women’s Health
Trainer Sponsors: Jackie Griggs, Judy Ruszkowski, Bauer Family