hi guys!! i am a doula in bellingham washington. i just came up with a great idea and i was wondering if any one knew how to help me? i would like to set my business up as a non profit organization, at least for the first year of my business. i want to be able to work with familys and women who can not afford to hire a doula. i am looking for a private foundation to apply for a grant from. this grant would be applied to my salary and supplies. what do you all think? let me know sister doulas!! *steph*

-- stephanie fleishman (Huggyourdoula@aol.com), July 07, 2002

Answers

Hi Stephanie,

I've started researching this very same topic. Maybe we can share notes! I've started by introducing myself to my state's public health officials...sent out a letter, offered an inservice to some of their staff (WIC), etc. I am following up with phonecalls at the moment...anything to get my name and concept out there! I know that many women are not being served by doulas because they can not afford one. And yet, although we offer scholarships, we can't work for free...no matter how much we feel compelled to! Keep me posted on your progress...and I'll share whatever I come across with you!

Cindy Sauerwein Chesapeake Birth Companions "Your Maryland Source for Birth & Postpartum Doulas"

-- CIndy Sauerwein, CD (DONA) (DoulaCindy@ChesapeakeBirthCompanions.com), July 09, 2002.

I work for Healthy Start here in Tampa, and the Grant program is funded by our University of South Florida.

-- Joyce Dorrion (joycedorrion@bayareabirthdoula.com), September 30, 2002.

Good morning I'm looking for some help myself in finding a few one or two computers for the nonphofth organiztion that i work for if anyone has any imformation that could be of help

-- Naim Harrison (naimharrison@yahoo.com), March 28, 2003.

I had the honor of working for a non profit doula program in San antonio, Texas. We had a small grant and 5 doulas. Suzanne could help all of you. I was also told to contact one of the hospitals in San francisco. They have a hopital based volunteer program. I don't know what That program is called. But Suzanne can be reached at birthdoulas@aol.com. They are called San antonio Birth doulas. Truelly angels in our field! I now live in West virginia. I am trying to find the same resources here that you are looking for. Help who ever you can it will come back to in miraculous ways!

-- Mechelle Wood-Romero (littlebluesphere@hotmail.com), April 23, 2003.

Hi! I have been a doula for over a year in Santa Rosa, CA, north of San Fran... I was up all night pondering my idea about starting a non profit doula service for needy moms and families. Can anyone help with where to apply for grants and who is giving them? Thanks!

Cristy Nielsen

-- Cristy Nielsen (jcnielsen@sbcglobal.net), October 21, 2003.

Hi all, I am a doula in Murfreesboro, TN. I have been researching this very idea for a few months. I have noticed several states that have a program set up through their DHS. TN currently does not have one set up, but I would love the challange of getting something going here. So far I have found the March of Dimes and DHS community divisions are the only ones that would even concider the idea for a grant. If ANYONE has any suggestions or ideas please send me an email! THANKS in advanced!!!!!

-- dawn harold (botana21@comcast.net), November 12, 2003.

The Alpha Omega Seniars Intl Foundation can help as soon as it is mobilized. This is supposed to be funded from the proceeds of THE WILL (A Plain Translation of The New Testament from Greek to English), Philippine Copyright 2002, and other books that I am writing. Unfortunately we are still looking for funds for printing purposes (commercial quantity). The beneficiaries of the Foundation are widows, orphans, senior citizens, disabled, poor but talented, etc. Pls keep me posted of what is going on so that I can reach you as soon as we are capable.

-- Arsenia R. Joaquin (greekbible2002@yahoo.com), January 03, 2004.

From Tanzania Africa. Actually, I love to tell you that I have been praying for a miracle to occur to me 2004. I have a small day care centre in the village. I have been running it for 7yrs now. But now I want to expand it and also mordernise it.I to get connected to a person with funds and interest to invest in Africa on such a project.Finally I would like to say that I am a widow, a born again Christian. I have worked with women groups in our church and also organized small funds for orphan kids. Hope that you will respond.

-- Adelita Nyiti (adelta_n@yahoo.com), April 21, 2004.

From Tanzania Africa. I love to tell you that I have been praying for a miracle to occur to me 2004. I have a small day care centre in the village. I have been running it for 7yrs now. But now I want to expand it and also mordernise it.I to get connected to a person with funds and interest to invest in Africa on such a project.Finally I would like to say that I am a widow, a born again Christian. I have worked with women groups in our church and also organized small funds for orphan kids. Hope that you will respond.

-- Adelita Nyiti (adelta_n@yahoo.com), April 21, 2004.