The new Maternity Equity Fund will open for expressions of interest on 3 September 2026.

The Fund focuses on reducing avoidable harm and unfair maternity inequities during pregnancy and birth, with an emphasis on preventative, community-based support before issues escalate. While postnatal support may be part of an organisation's wider work, any award from this round must be used for preventative project costs only.

Grants totalling £185,000 are available across the round. Each award is structured as £61,600 in year one and £61,700 in years two and three. The Foundation expects to make around 35 awards. Recipients must allocate at least £2,500 to £5,000 of their grant each year to staff wellbeing, depending on the size of the organisation.

Eligible applicants include UK-registered charities and Charitable Incorporated Organisations, Community Interest Companies that are not-for-profit with an asset lock, and other not-for-profit charitable organisations whose work aligns with the Foundation's strategy. Applicants must have an annual income between £20,000 and £1.5 million, based on their most recent published accounts.

Projects must take place in the UK and focus on communities experiencing the greatest maternity inequities, including marginalised communities and communities in areas of highest deprivation, including rural areas. Applicants must also demonstrate experience of supporting communities affected by maternity inequity, with appropriate safeguarding, community trust, lived experience involvement and an understanding of trauma-informed and culturally-safe support. Partnership applications are welcome.

The flexible funding can be used to support delivery costs, staffing, supervision, training, wellbeing support, community engagement and other costs directly related to the work.

A live webinar will be held on 2 September 2026 (13:30 to 14:30). Registration is required and can be done via the Henry Smith Foundation website.

All the relevant documents are available now on the Henry Smith Foundation website.

There is a two-stage application process.

Expressions of Interest open at 9am on 3 September 2026 and close 14 October 2026 (17:00). For more information, please visit Maternity Equity - Henry Smith

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