The New Jersey Birth Equity Funders Alliance was launched to support the implementation and impact of Nurture NJ — an initiative with goals to eliminate disparities and reduce maternal mortality. By 2026, the state had signed over 70 maternal and infant health bills into law, 80% of Nurture NJ policies had been operationalized, and the state had risen from 47th in the nation in maternal mortality to 25th.

This summary distills findings from a Princeton School of Public and International Affairs’ Policy Task Force. Raquel Mazon Jeffers and Wendy McWeeny were part of a team from CHAP that led the task force, which examined Nurture NJ’s multi-pronged effort to make the state the safest place in the nation to give birth and raise a child, specifically by centering the goals of the New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority (MIHIA).

Sample mission and values from partners in Rhode Island.

Sample Executive Director job description.

Sample Senior Manager job description.

Sample values statements.

Sample values from partners in Maryland.

Sample values from partners in Colorado.

Sample vision statement from partners in Colorado.

Sample charter from partners in New Jersey.

Sample charter from partners in Washington.

Sample charter from partners in Colorado.

Sample of a study from our work in Nebraska, exploring the questions: Is a funder (or group) ready to take action? What do they want to do? What preliminary resources could be needed to do it?

From our work in Maryland.

For collective members to determine or re-establish alignment, from our work with the Colorado Reproductive Equity Funders Network.

Gathering information on assets, trends, and needs for us with birth/care workers.

For gathering information on priorities, noteworthy initiatives, existing collaborations, and the role philanthropy can play.

Designed for gathering information to share with collaborative members/funders on state-level priorities, challenges, collaborations, and philanthropy.

Narrative two-page overview and sample invitation to join for the SOBE project.

This report reflects on progress towards birth equity made by funders and partners in nine states and insights process-gleaned insights on the value of collaboration.