Indiana continues to face one of the most pressing public health challenges in the nation, but a new multi-million-dollar investment aims to shift outcomes for mothers and babies across the state.
Indiana University Health announced March 16 it has awarded $3.7 million to four community organizations working to improve infant and maternal health outcomes. The funding comes through the Community Impact Investment Fund, administered by Indiana University Health Foundation, and targets the social and environmental factors that shape health outcomes.
The announcement comes as Indiana continues to rank among the worst states for maternal and infant mortality. According to the Indiana Department of Health, 72 women died during pregnancy or within one year postpartum in 2022, and 83% of those deaths were deemed preventable in the state’s Maternal Mortality Review Committee report. National data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows the U.S. maternal mortality rate was 22.3 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2022, with significantly higher rates among Black women.
Health experts say those numbers reflect systemic gaps in care, particularly in access, affordability and early intervention.
“The U.S. is the most dangerous high-income country to give birth, and the majority of these deaths are preventable,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported, noting that timely access to quality care is a critical factor in improving outcomes.
The new funding from IU Health aims to directly address those gaps at the community level.
“At IU Health, our mission to improve the health of our communities extends far beyond our hospital walls — it reaches into neighborhoods, homes and community spaces where families need support most,” said Dennis Murphy, president and CEO of IU Health. “Every family in Indiana deserves access to the resources and support that give mothers and babies the healthiest possible start.”
Murphy added that the grants are designed to “address maternal and infant health at the community level, empowering local organizations to deliver the care and resources that make a real difference for families they serve — saving lives and strengthening communities across the state.”
Since the fund’s inception in 2018, IU Health has awarded more than $41.6 million in grants to organizations across Indiana, with an additional $3.6 million raised through philanthropic support.
This year’s funding prioritizes programs that expand access to care, address social determinants of health and provide long-term support for families.
Among the recipients is Healing Hands Outreach Center, which received $543,422 over three years to expand services in downtown Bloomington. The program will support low-income, high-risk expectant and postpartum mothers, particularly those experiencing substance use disorder, by offering recovery classes, support groups and access to essential resources such as diapers, formula and medical services.
In north-central Indiana, Transformed Birth Services was awarded $720,826 to expand maternal health services for low-income families in Tippecanoe and Clinton counties. The organization plans to train community doulas, facilitate postpartum support groups and address broader barriers such as housing, transportation and access to care.
Research shows doulas can play a critical role in improving birth outcomes. A report from the National Institutes of Health found that doula support is associated with lower rates of cesarean births and improved maternal experiences, particularly among underserved populations.
Another grant recipient, United Day Care of Delaware County, Inc, will use $405,750 to expand affordable childcare by adding three new infant and toddler classrooms in a high-need neighborhood. Access to reliable childcare is increasingly recognized as a key factor in maternal health, allowing parents to attend medical appointments, maintain employment and reduce stress.
The largest investment — $2 million — will go to Cradle Indy, a collaborative effort focused on reducing preterm births and low birthweight, while increasing breastfeeding and safe sleep practices. The funding will be distributed over five years and will focus on Marion County neighborhoods with the highest rates of infant and maternal mortality.
According to the March of Dimes, Indiana has consistently received low grades for infant health, with high rates of preterm birth and disparities in care contributing to poor outcomes. The organization reports that preterm birth is a leading cause of infant death, particularly among Black infants.
Public health advocates say investments like IU Health’s are critical but must be paired with broader systemic changes.
“Improving maternal health requires more than clinical care — it means addressing the conditions in which people live, work and raise their families,” the March of Dimes states, pointing to factors such as housing stability, nutrition and access to transportation.
IU Health’s latest round of funding reflects that broader approach, focusing not only on medical care but also on the underlying conditions that shape health outcomes.
In addition to announcing the 2025 grant recipients, IU Health officials said applications are now open for the 2026 Community Impact Investment Fund cycle. The next round will prioritize sustained, multi-year funding for programs that advance infant and maternal health across Indiana.
Community organizations interested in applying are encouraged to submit proposals aimed at expanding access to care, improving health education and strengthening support systems for families.
For more information or to apply, visit Indiana University Health’s Community Impact Investment Fund page at iuhealth.org/in-the-community/community-impact-investment-fund.
This reporting is made possible by a grant from the Indianapolis African-American Quality of Life Initiative, empowering our community with essential health insights. https://iaaqli.org/
Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.
