Infant Mortality Prevention Network Program

The Infant Mortality Prevention Network funding opportunity, issued by Best Starts for Kids, aimed to reduce infant mortality and eliminate the effects of systemic racism in King County, Washington. This initiative supported community-based organizations providing services to pregnant and parenting individuals, babies, and families. The funding focused on reducing disparities experienced by African American, Native American, and Pacific Islander communities, who face significantly higher infant mortality rates in the region. The RFA sought to expand and strengthen existing programs that deliver health education, outreach, and support services directly within impacted communities. The funding pool of approximately $473,000 was a collaboration between Best Starts for Kids Levy, Public Health – Seattle & King County, and the City of Seattle. A minimum of four organizations were expected to receive awards to supplement and grow their current Infant Mortality Prevention efforts during the performance period of January 1 to December 31, 2025. Best Starts and Public Health funds supported countywide initiatives, while City of Seattle funds were designated for awardees serving Seattle residents specifically. Funding was intended to reinforce existing services rather than launching entirely new projects. Eligible applicants were community-based, community-led, or community-informed organizations situated in King County. The solicitation prioritized those embedded in and reflective of the communities most impacted by infant mortality, particularly African American, Native American, and Pacific Islander populations. Applicants needed to demonstrate existing work aligned with the goals of the Infant Mortality Prevention Network and provide services located within King County boundaries. The opportunity was open from October 4, 2024, through November 8, 2024, closing at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time. A brief information session was hosted on October 21, and the final day to submit questions was October 24. Applications were reviewed from November 8 to 22, 2024, and applicants were notified of funding decisions on December 9, 2024. Selected projects began implementation on January 1, 2025, for a one-year term. This grant is part of a recurring funding stream. Organizations interested in future cycles should monitor Best Starts for Kids’ announcements for the next anticipated round, likely to open in October 2026. Technical assistance was available during the last round, offering applicants tailored support for submission strategy, narrative development, and eligibility alignment. For any archived questions or future inquiries, applicants were previously directed to contact Saba Al Harazi at cpres-CHS@kingcounty.gov. The official RFA document provided full details on eligibility, funding, and required application components.

Emphasize community embeddedness and alignment with equity-focused outcomes; prioritize storytelling around existing impact; highlight service reach within targeted communities