Only national, competitive grant program dedicated solely to supporting community-based diaper banks in the U.S. marks its third year.

NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, UNITED STATES, March 7, 2017 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Twenty-four organizations operating in 18 U.S. states have been named as 2017 recipients of the National Diaper Bank Network’s (NDBN) $100,000 Funds for Change grants.

The initiative is the only national, competitive grant program dedicated solely to supporting community-based diaper banks in the U.S. The 2017 grants include four at $10,000 each and 20 of up to $2,500 each.

NDBN’s Funds for Change grant program advances the work and expansion of local organizations serving families and children experiencing diaper need. Defined as the lack of a sufficient supply of diapers to keep an infant or toddler clean, dry and healthy, diaper need impacts one in three U.S. families, and is often a hidden consequence of poverty. Nearly 5.5 million babies in the U.S., aged three or younger, live in poor or low-income families.

“NDBN’s Funds for Change grants support diaper banks and pantries, and ultimately families struggling to meet a most basic need of infants and toddlers, access to clean diapers,” said Susan Van Ness, NDBN’s chief of programs. “We are investing in organizations capable of leveraging local assets in order to ensure the long-term sustainability of these vital community-based programs.”

The 2017 Funds for Change grants incorporate two main categories:
• $10,000 Strategic Investment Grants to overcome geographic challenges, and
• Micro-Funding Grants of up to $2,500.

The strategic investment grants of $10,000 were awarded to four organizations to create programs to overcome geographic challenges:

• Diaper Bank of the Ozarks, Springfield, Mo., to hire a rural program manager to improve diaper distribution and capacity.
• Diaper Bank of North Carolina, Durham, N.C., for an expansion project to serve a U.S. military base and its surrounding community in Cumberland County.
• Inland NW Baby, Spokane Valley, Wash., to create diaper cupboards (small distribution programs) based in rural health clinics.
• The HopeLine, Bronx, N.Y., to create neighborhood diaper cupboards through a Bronx-based nutrition program.

The micro-funding grants were awarded to 20 diaper bank organizations to fund proposed programs or projects that support a plan for long-term growth and sustainability.

• Alabama – Bundles of Hope Diaper Bank, Birmingham; storage/warehouse.
• District of Columbia – DC DiaperBank, Washington; capacity expansion.
• Florida – Baby Basics of Collier Co., Naples; staff/operations manager.
• Georgia – Helping Mamas, Inc, Snellville; marketing/public relations/web.
• Illinois – Cradles to Crayons Chicago, Chicago; capacity expansion.
• Illinois – Loving Bottoms Diaper Bank, Galesburg; storage/warehouse.
• Michigan – Great Start Parent Co., Grand Rapids; marketing/public relations/web.
• Michigan – The Diaper Alliance, Midland; marketing/public relations/web.
• Minnesota – Diaper Bank of Minnesota, St. Paul; staff/coordinator.
• North Carolina – Diaper Bank of North Carolina, Greater Triad, Winston-Salem; advocacy.
• New Jersey – Moms Helping Moms, Union; volunteer management.
• Ohio – Baby Basics of Cincinnati, Cincinnati; storage/warehouse.
• Oregon – PDX Diaper Bank, Portland; staff/community engagement director.
• Pennsylvania – Greater Philadelphia Diaper Bank, Philadelphia; marketing/public relations/web.
• Pennsylvania – Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank, Pittsburgh; marketing/public relations/web.
• Tennessee – Nashville Diaper Connection, Nashville; storage/warehouse.
• Texas – Austin Diaper Bank, Austin; storage/warehouse.
• Utah – Utah Diaper Bank, Sandy; capacity expansion.
• Washington – Eastside Baby Corner, Issaquah; staff/satellite site manager.
• Washington – Baby Basics of Bellevue, Bellevue; program management.

The 2017 recipients, including eight first-time awardees, represent both newly formed and established diaper banks serving families in all sizes of communities throughout the country, from rural areas to major cities.

NDBN has bestowed more than 100 grants totaling $300,000 to local diaper bank programs, since launching Funds for Change in 2015. Because grant recipients are required to secure equal funding from local supporters, the dollars doubles in value upon implementation. To date, the net impact of NDBN’s Funds for Change initiative exceeds $600,000.

Funding for the initiative is made possible by a combination of support from individual and corporate donations to NDBN, as well as major gifts. Continued financial support will enable NDBN to expand the program next year.

“Diaper banks make a huge difference in the lives of infants and toddlers by providing small things…clean diapers,” said Van Ness. “The continued success of local diaper banks requires strong community support and donations of dollars, diapers and time. A fundamental goal of NDBN is to spur the growth of the diaper bank community.”

About the National Diaper Bank Network: The National Diaper Bank Network (NDBN) is a nationwide nonprofit dedicated to eliminating diaper need in America, by leading a national movement to help meet the basic needs of all babies and their families…including access to clean, dry diapers and other material goods. Founded in 2011 with the support of Huggies®, the network raises national awareness of diaper need (#DiaperNeed) and supports the development and expansion of diaper banks in communities throughout the country. Its active membership includes more than 320 diaper banks, diaper pantries, and food banks located in 46 states, the District of Columbia and Guam. More information on NDBN and diaper need is available at www.nationaldiaperbanknetwork.org, and on Twitter (@DiaperNetwork) and Facebook (facebook.com/NationalDiaperBankNetwork).

Troy Moore
National Diaper Bank Network
2038217348
email us here

1 in 3 Moms Experiences Diaper Need

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