FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
General FAQs
Who are you and what do you do?
M.A.M.A. Community Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to advancing maternal health equity. Our mission is to ensure every family receives the support they deserve by providing and funding free childbirth education nationwide, free doula care in the DMV area, and community connections through meetups, events, and curated resources for families seeking guidance, connection, and holistic perinatal support.
Is this the same as M.A.M.A. Birth Services?
No, M.A.M.A. Community Foundation, Inc. is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity you are supporting. M.A.M.A. Mom’s Advocate & Maternal Advisor, LLC (also known as M.A.M.A. Birth Services) is our for-profit arm. The two entities share a commitment to maternal health equity, but your donations and grants are exclusively directed to the Foundation to fund free doula care and education for underserved families.
Who can benefit from your programs?
Our virtual education workshops are designed for and available to any family across the nation.
Our Community Doula Network is specifically for families in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) area who are facing systemic or financial barriers to accessing continuous, expert maternal support. We prioritize supporting those who need it most to improve maternal health outcomes.
How are you funded?
We are funded through grants, community partnerships, corporate sponsorships, and the generous tax-deductible donations of individuals who sponsor our clients and support our general mission.
How can I donate or sponsor a family?
You can make a direct, tax-deductible donation or set up a recurring contribution on our Donate page. Our Sponsor a Client option ensures your gift directly covers the full cost of doula care for a family in need, keeping the service completely free for them.
How can providers/partners get involved?
We offer three main Pathways for engagement, categorized by your type of contribution: the Leadership Pathway (Board of Directors and Advisory Group), the Volunteer Pathway (Doula and General Support), and the Partner Pathway (Space, Services, and Goods). Please visit the Get Involved page to find the pathway that best fits your passion and expertise.
Program FAQs
Who qualifies for doula support?
Any family in our DMV service area (DC, MD, VA) is encouraged to apply for free doula services. We prioritize serving pregnant people who are facing barriers to care, including those receiving Medicaid, those from historically marginalized communities (LGBTQ+, communities of color, etc.), or survivors of violence/abuse. Our services are currently provided at zero cost to eligible families.
How do you match doulas with clients?
We utilize a thoughtful, equity-based matching system. Our Program Coordinator reviews your confidential application and preferences. The final match is made based on doula availability, fair caseload distribution, and the principle of equal opportunity for all families to receive timely, high-quality care.
Do you provide postpartum services, or only birth?
While we do not directly offer continuous, long-term postpartum doula support, our commitment to your full journey is strong. Our support includes comprehensive childbirth education through workshops that cover postpartum preparation and newborn care. Furthermore, our birth doula services always include one dedicated postpartum debrief session to help process your birth experience. Finally, we host regular M.A.M.A. Meetups to foster community and connection among new parents.
How are you funded?
We are funded through grants, community partnerships, corporate sponsorships, and the generous tax-deductible donations of individuals who sponsor our clients and support our general mission.
Do you offer services outside of DC, Maryland, and Virginia?
Our Community Doula Network (in-person support) is currently focused on serving the families of the DMV area. However, our childbirth education workshops are fully virtual and are available to any family across the nation.
What if I don’t speak English?
We are committed to inclusive care. We prioritize matching you with a doula who speaks your language whenever possible, and we ensure access to resources in multiple languages.
Make a Tax-Deductible Donation Today
M.A.M.A. Community Foundation, Inc is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.