$210,000 Grant Will Connect More Families with Doula and Lactation Support
Philadelphia, PA – Maternity Care Coalition (MCC) has received a three-year Fellowship Grant totaling
$210,000 from the Foxwynd Foundation to strengthen MCC’s Community Doula and Lactation Program
and advance culturally responsive care for pregnant people and parenting families with children aged 0-
3 across Southeastern Pennsylvania. The Community Doula and Lactation Program is a unique,
community-based initiative focused on improving access to healthcare for pregnant people before,
during, and after birth. Through community-based doula support, lactation services, education, and
advocacy, the program respects different cultures, empowers families, and helps improve maternal and
child health outcomes.
The three-year Fellowship will strengthen the Community Doula and Lactation Program through
strategic investments in staffing, language access, and workforce development including hiring a
Bilingual Program Associate, supporting operational and personnel costs for Medicaid Billing, and
translation of program materials to Spanish. These investments will strengthen the community health
workforce and increase access to culturally responsive care.
Moreover, the grant signifies more than a financial investment. It reflects a shared commitment and
partnership between the Foxwynd Foundation and MCC to improve maternal and child health outcomes
and advance equitable, community-based, culturally responsive care. Together, MCC and the Foxwynd
Foundation are investing in sustainable solutions that meet families where they are and empower them
to advocate for themselves and their babies. The Foxwynd Foundation DAF funded the Foxwynd
Foundation’s generous donation to MCC.
Samantha Harclerode, Vice President of External Affairs, Maternity Care Coalition (MCC)
“Having support from someone who either shares your lived experience or understands your culture and
identity, builds trust and fosters understanding. That connection can help individuals feel more
comfortable speaking up. This encourages honest communication and can lead to better birth outcomes
for mothers and their babies. Our Community Doula and Lactation Program empowers pregnant people
to advocate for themselves and their babies throughout their pregnancy journey. This is at the heart of
MCC’s mission. With the Foxwynd Foundation’s support, more families—especially those in historically
marginalized communities—will have access to the culturally responsive care they deserve.”
Erin Bentley, Grant Committee Member, Foxwynd Foundation
“Every family deserves to feel supported, informed, and cared for during pregnancy and the early years
of a child’s life. The Community Doula and Lactation Program helps make that possible by providing
families with trusted guidance and compassionate support when they need it most. Foxwynd Foundation
is honored to support this important work.”
By responding directly to the needs of the community, MCC continues its commitment to advancing
health equity and ensuring that every individual, parent, caregiver, and child has the support they need
to thrive. For more information about MCC’s programs and services, visit maternitycarecoalition.org or
call 215-972-0700.
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Maternity Care Coalition (MCC) is a community-based nonprofit organization serving Pennsylvania and
Delaware with over four decades of commitment to improving maternal and child health and early care
and education. MCC’s mission is to improve the health and well-being of pregnant women and parenting
families and enhance school readiness for children 0—3. We achieve this through direct service,
advocacy, and research, in collaboration with individuals, families, providers, and communities. We
envision a future where parents impacted by racial and social inequities can birth with dignity, parent
with autonomy, and raise babies who are healthy, growing, and thriving.
Foxwynd Foundation is a private foundation dedicated to improving lives through strategic
philanthropy. The Foundation partners with 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations to support innovative and
high-impact initiatives in housing, healthcare, and environmental sustainability. Through collaborative
partnerships, the Foundation strengthens communities and improves access to essential services. For more information, please visit www.foxwyndfoundation.org.
