Ethan Walker
March of Dimes is a nonprofit organization that works to improve maternal and infant health. The organization was founded by US President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1938 to combat polio, and has since expanded its focus to include the prevention of birth defects, infant mortality, and preterm births. March of Dimes relies on donations from the public to fund its mission. While some people may have concerns about donating to organizations that they suspect may support causes that conflict with their beliefs, March of Dimes has been praised for its work in improving the health of mothers and babies through medical research, education, community programs, and support for pregnant women and mothers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nature of the Organization | Nonprofit organization |
| Focus | Maternal and infant health |
| Goals | End preventable maternal health risks and deaths, end preventable preterm birth and infant death, close the health equity gap |
| Rating | 83% (Three-Star rating) |
| Donor Confidence | High |
| Catholic Support | Mixed opinions |
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What You'll Learn
March of Dimes' support of Planned Parenthood
March of Dimes (MOD) is a United States non-profit organization that works to improve maternal and infant health. It was founded by US President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1938 as the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis to combat polio. The organization's primary focus has since shifted to the prevention of birth defects, preterm birth, and infant mortality.
Despite its stated mission, MOD has faced criticism and boycotts from pro-life advocates due to its perceived support for abortion, including its financial sponsorship of Planned Parenthood. In 2015, it was revealed that five local chapters of MOD had donated to Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion provider. This prompted backlash from supporters, leading MOD to issue a statement denying any relationship with Planned Parenthood and asserting that it does not promote or fund abortion services. However, critics argue that MOD's neutral stance on abortion implicitly accepts it as a viable option and that their support for Planned Parenthood gives explicit approval to the organization's practices, including abortions.
MOD has defended its position by stating that the local grants provided to Planned Parenthood were exclusively for preconception, prenatal, and interconception education in areas where access to prenatal care is limited or non-existent. They emphasize that their focus is on improving the health of both mothers and babies and that their grants do not fund abortion services or directive counseling regarding abortion.
The controversy surrounding MOD's support of Planned Parenthood highlights the tension between the organization's stated goals of reducing birth defects and preterm births and the ethical concerns raised by pro-life advocates. While MOD maintains its neutrality on abortion, critics argue that their actions and policies implicitly support abortion as a means to eliminate birth defects, contradicting pro-life values.
In summary, the debate surrounding March of Dimes' support of Planned Parenthood centers on differing interpretations of the organization's stance on abortion. While MOD asserts its neutrality and focus on improving maternal and infant health, critics contend that their actions amount to implicit support for abortion, which conflicts with Catholic teachings and pro-life philosophies.
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The organisation's financial position
The March of Dimes is a United States-based nonprofit organisation that works to improve the health of mothers and babies. It relies on public donations to fund its mission. The organisation has outlined three primary goals: ending preventable maternal health risks and deaths, ending preventable preterm birth and infant death, and closing the health equity gap.
Despite this, the organisation has received significant support from donors and fundraising teams, with Publix, for example, raising more than $5.2 million in 2024 and over $100 million since 1995. Charity Navigator gives the organisation an overall score of 83%, earning it a Three-Star rating. This score is calculated from multiple beacon scores, with 60% weighting given to Accountability & Finance, 25% to Impact & Measurement, 10% to Leadership & Adaptability, and 5% to Culture & Community.
The Form 990, an annual document filed with the IRS, provides additional financial data and accountability information for nonprofit organisations. This information can be used to assess the financial health and stability of March of Dimes.
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The charity's mission and goals
The March of Dimes is a United States nonprofit organization with a mission to improve the health of mothers and babies. The organization was founded by US President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1938 as the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis to combat polio. The name "March of Dimes" was coined by Eddie Cantor as a pun on the newsreel series, "The March of Time".
The charity's primary goals are to end preventable maternal health risks and deaths, prevent preterm birth and infant death, and close the health equity gap. They aim to achieve these goals through five programming areas: medical research, education of pregnant women, community programs, government advocacy, and support of pregnant women and mothers.
March of Dimes relies on public donations to fund its mission and has faced financial challenges in recent years. They have a leadership development program called "The Greenhouse" to foster strategic thinking and goal setting. The organization's work has positively impacted many families, including those with babies born prematurely or with health issues detected in utero through their research.
Overall, the March of Dimes is dedicated to ensuring the health and well-being of mothers and babies through research, education, advocacy, and community programs, with a particular focus on ending preventable maternal and infant deaths and health disparities.
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The history of the March of Dimes
The March of Dimes is a nonprofit organization that works to improve the health of mothers and babies. The organization was founded by US President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1938 as the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis to combat polio. Roosevelt, who had been diagnosed with polio in 1921, was instrumental in raising funds for the foundation. The name "March of Dimes" was coined by Eddie Cantor as a pun on the newsreel series "The March of Time".
The organization's early history was marked by its efforts to combat polio. In 1943, the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis awarded a grant to the U.S. Army Neurotropic Virus Commission to study polio in North Africa. After funding Jonas Salk's polio vaccine, the organization expanded its focus to the prevention of birth defects and infant mortality. The March of Dimes played a crucial role in pioneering vaccine research, leading to the eradication of polio in the United States.
In 1976, the organization's name was changed to the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation, reflecting its evolving mission. Over the years, the March of Dimes has continued to adapt its goals and strategies to address the most pressing health concerns facing mothers and babies. In 2005, as preterm birth emerged as the leading cause of death for children worldwide, research and prevention of premature birth became the organization's primary focus.
Today, the March of Dimes continues its dedication to improving maternal and infant health through various programming areas, including medical research, education of pregnant women, community programs, government advocacy, and support for pregnant women and mothers. The organization has faced financial challenges in recent years, with total giving to the nonprofit sector decreasing. Despite these difficulties, the March of Dimes remains committed to driving fundraising and mission impact to create a healthier world for mothers and babies.
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The impact of donations
The March of Dimes is a nonprofit organization that works to improve maternal and infant health. The organization was founded by US President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1938 as the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis to combat polio. The name "March of Dimes" was coined by Eddie Cantor, and the organization has since expanded its focus to include the prevention of birth defects, infant mortality, and preterm births.
For example, donations have helped fund research that led to the development of Jonas Salk's polio vaccine. Additionally, donations support education initiatives such as the "Sounds of Pertussis" national education campaign, which raises awareness about the increase in cases of pertussis (whooping cough).
The organization also provides direct support to pregnant women and mothers, such as in the case of Ashley Taylor, whose daughter Julia was born prematurely at 23 weeks. Julia received critical care in the NICU thanks to the research and advocacy of the March of Dimes. Similarly, Roxy Romeo's daughter, Zara, received support from the organization when she was born prematurely at 26 weeks.
The March of Dimes also works to address the maternal and infant health crisis through strategic and collaborative efforts, such as their leadership development program called "The Greenhouse." This program focuses on up-and-coming leaders within the organization, providing a six-month leadership curriculum, mentoring, and support for internal mobility.
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Frequently asked questions
March of Dimes is a United States nonprofit organization that works to improve the health of mothers and babies.
The nonprofit organization has three main goals: 1) To end preventable maternal health risks and deaths, 2) To end preventable preterm birth and infant death, and 3) To close the health equity gap.
While some Catholics have expressed suspicion about the organization due to its support of Planned Parenthood, March of Dimes is a reputable nonprofit organization with an 83% rating from Charity Navigator. Catholics who feel that the organization aligns with their passions and values can donate with confidence.
