Aims/priorities: The new Maternity Equity Fund is part of the Henry Smith Foundation Getting Started programme, which supports early intervention from conception up to and including birth, helping give babies and families the best start in life.
This Fund focuses on reducing avoidable harm and inequity during pregnancy and birth, from conception up to birth. Although the Foundation acknowledges that postnatal support is important, it is focusing this funding round on earlier, preventative support where community-based intervention may help improve access, experience and outcomes before harm escalates.
The Fund aims to reduce unfair and avoidable maternity inequities by:
- Improving access, experience and outcomes during pregnancy and birth.
- Strengthening trusted community-led organisations delivering preventative, trauma-informed and culturally-safe maternity support.
- Building and sharing learning about what works to improve maternity equity, influencing wider practice and systems over time.
Who can apply: Applications will be considered from charitable organisations registered in and working in the UK, including:
- Registered charities and Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs).
- Community Interest Companies (CICs) that are not-for-profit with an asset lock.
- Other not for profit charitable organisations delivering work aligned with the Foundation's strategy
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Have an annual income (as shown in their most recent published accounts) between £20,000 and £1.5 million.
- Have an activity taking place within the UK and focusing on communities experiencing the greatest maternity inequities, including marginalised communities and communities in areas of highest deprivation, including rural areas.
- Already have experience supporting communities affected by maternity inequity and can demonstrate safe, trusted and informed delivery. This includes:
- Existing delivery experience
- Appropriate safeguarding processes
- Community trust and relationships
- Lived experience involvement
- Understanding of trauma-informed and culturally-safe support.
Organisations whose work includes postnatal services can apply; however, funding will be restricted to preventative project costs only.
Partnership applications are welcome where organisations are working together to support communities and improve maternity equity.
Grant amount: Grants totalling £185,000 are available and will be awarded as follows:
- £61,600 in year one and
- £61,700 in years two and three.
Groups must use at least £2,500 – £5,000 of the grant on staff wellbeing each year (depending on size of organisation).
It is expected that around 35 grants will be awarded.
Application process: 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).
- Applicants who are successful will be invited during the week beginning 9 November 2026 to submit a full application.
Contact the Henry Smith Foundation for further information.
Deadline: 14 October 2026 (17:00)
Contact: gettingstarted@henrysmith.foundation
Website: https://henrysmith.foundation/grants/maternity-equity/