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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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