Invest in Dignity

Birth Center Collective
Equity & Excellence Fund

The Birth Center Collective Equity & Excellence Fund provides targeted operational support to birth centers that are under-resourced, under-funded or serving communities facing systemic barriers. Your donation helps ensure that high-quality, safe, compassionate birth options remain accessible nationwide.

The Cost of Compassion Fatigue

The recent viral video of a Black woman in a wheelchair—clearly in active labor—being dismissed and left without timely care is not an isolated incident. It reflects a painful, well-documented truth: Black women are too often unheard, underestimated or ignored in traditional hospital settings.

This is not simply an interpersonal issue; it is a systemic one.

Alongside this reality is another stark statistic:
There are nearly 6,000 hospitals in the United States, yet only about 400 community birth centers.

This mismatch in available birth settings disproportionately affects Black families, who face the highest maternal mortality rates in the nation. Fewer birth centers means fewer access points to models of care that are shown to reduce unnecessary interventions, increase patient satisfaction and actively address inequities.

Birth centers are a proven part of the solution—yet they remain deeply under-resourced, underfunded and unevenly distributed across the country. Without targeted operational support, many struggle to open their doors or keep them open.

Your support directly strengthens the infrastructure that allows safe, compassionate, patient-centered birth options to exist—especially in communities that need them most.

"...the communities most harmed are Black, brown, rural and low-income families."

What the Fund Supports

The Birth Center Collective Equity & Excellence Fund provides service credits for vital operational and financial improvement services that many birth centers simply cannot afford. These services help centers strengthen their internal systems, improve financial stability and remain open for the families who depend on them. 100% of your donation goes to these service credits.

Service credits may be used for:

Operational assessments and system audits
Financial analysis + sustainability planning
Workflow optimization
Managerial development
Preparation for CABC accreditation
Support navigating state-specific regulations

Note: At this stage, the fund supports service credits (not unrestricted grants).

"We get them the expert help they need, but can't afford."

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How the Fund Works

The Birth Center Collective Equity & Excellence Fund is operated by Birth Center Consulting, a mission-driven social enterprise. While donations are not tax-deductible, all funds are used exclusively for direct support to birth centers through service credits.

Steps:

1. Donations are deposited into a dedicated fund account.

Managed separately for transparency and tracking.

2. Birth centers apply for service credits.

Applications include:
- A short needs assessment
- Confirmation of licensure/accreditation (if applicable)
- A brief financial snapshot (revenue, debt, major challenges)
- Statement of intended impact

3. Eligibility prioritization:

We prioritize birth centers that:
- Serve marginalized or rural communities
- Demonstrate financial need
- Are actively working toward sustainability
- Have leadership committed to operational excellence

4. Credits are awarded based on available funds.

Recipients may receive partial or full support depending on need and available resources.

5. Outcomes are measured + reported.

Annual public report includes:
- Total funds raised
- Number of birth centers supported
- Services provided
- Documented improvements in operations + sustainability

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"From startup planning to state licensure, your donation removes the barriers that prevent equitable birth options from existing in the communities that need them."

Your Donation Makes Measurable Change

One-Time Donation Tiers

Amount Impact

$50 Helps maintain the National Birth Center Directory, keeping this critical resource free and accessible.
$150 Funds a preliminary sustainability consult for a struggling birth center.
$500 Provides a full financial training session.
$1,000 Supports a full systems audit, giving a center a roadmap for long-term sustainability.
$5,000 Covers a complete Startup Roadmap Package + Business Plan for a new birth center.
$10,000 Funds a significant portion of New York State licensure consulting, helping centers navigate CON and Article 28 process.

Monthly Donation Options

Become a Sustaining Supporter — Give $5–$100/month

Your monthly contribution provides predictable, ongoing support so birth centers can plan and implement meaningful operational improvements.

Monthly Tier Impact

$5/month Contributes to keeping the National Birth Center Directory up-to-date.
$25/month Supports partial operational or financial consulting for a center.
$50/month Funds mid-level systems improvement work, like workflow optimization or managerial training.
$100/month Covers significant portions of a startup roadmap or regulatory support over time.

Note: Birth Center Consulting is a for-profit social enterprise. This donation is not tax-deductible, as we are not a 501(c)(3) organization. All monthly donations are recurring and can be canceled at any time. Your support ensures ongoing impact, not just one-time improvements.

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"The National Birth Center Directory is a free and up-to-date resource, connecting families who seek equitable care with the centers that provide it."

Supporting the National Birth Center Directory

The National Birth Center Directory is a free, public resource that helps families locate birth centers near them. Donations help maintain the platform and keep it accessible without fees.

Explore the Directory
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