Full Term First Birthday Coalition Announces Inaugural Infant Health Fund Awardees
- Editor Ellis
- Jun 27
- 2 min read

The Full Term First Birthday (FTFB) Coalition is proud to announce the inaugural grant recipients of the Infant Health Fund—a new community investment designed to support neighborhood-rooted organizations working to improve maternal and infant health outcomes. The FTFB Coalition includes the City of Akron, Summit County Public Health, and United Way of Summit & Medina.
FTFB’s Infant Health Fund supports trusted, community-based organizations that serve families most impacted by infant mortality. These inaugural awardees demonstrate the power of culturally responsive, relationship-based care—grounded in healing, empowerment, and trust.
2025 Infant Health Fund awardees:
Arlington Church of God - ($5,000)
Hosting a convening to explore how the faith community can engage more deeply in addressing infant mortality and supporting maternal health in Akron.
Birthing Beautiful Communities - ($5,000)
Expanding the pipeline of community-based doulas by providing professional development, certification support, and culturally responsive training rooted in lived experience.
Empowering Queens - ($4,250)
Providing wellness-focused support groups and resources for mothers with infants, grounded in sisterhood, healing, and community empowerment.
Pregnancy Solutions - ($1,746)
Providing evidence-based parenting education to pregnant and postnatal mothers to reduce infant mortality, with a focus on early connection and care.
The Infant Health Fund is one of several community-centered strategies under the Full Term First Birthday initiative, a citywide effort to reduce racial disparities in infant mortality by improving access to care, supporting community-led solutions, and strengthening the systems that serve Akron families.
A second round of funding is expected to open in Fall 2025.
Full Term First Birthday
Full Term First Birthday (FTFB) is a collective impact collaborative dedicated to ensuring every child in Greater Akron celebrates a first birthday. Through policy advocacy, community education, and awareness of local programs, FTFB addresses key issues like racial disparities, equity, infant mortality, and preterm birth using data-driven, evidence-based, and community-informed strategies. Led by the City of Akron, Summit County Public Health, and United Way of Summit & Medina, FTFB collaborates with hospitals, Legal Aid, grassroots organizations, and major nonprofits to drive lasting change.
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