The March of Dimes, the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health, has earned the Platinum Seal of Transparency – the highest level of recognition -- from the charity watchdog agency GuideStar. The March of Dimes page can be viewed at https://www.guidestar.org/profile/13-1846366.
The Platinum Seal of Transparency demonstrates the March of Dimes focus on measuring progress and results, according to GuideStar’s criteria.
“The March of Dimes code of ethics commits us to accountability and transparency to the public,” says Stacey D. Stewart, president of the March of Dimes. “We are very pleased to be able to demonstrate to our supporters and donors that the March of Dimes is achieving real results for moms and babies throughout the United States.”
In 2013, the March of Dimes was identified by experts on Philanthropedia, a division of GuideStar, as a top nonprofit working in the field of people with disabilities.
The March of Dimes also is a Better Business Bureau Accredited Charity and meets all 20 standards listed on the BBB Wise Giving Alliance Web site Give.org.
The March of Dimes says it is taking action on multiple fronts nationally and in communities with the greatest needs, in order to spread known innovations to give every baby a fighting chance, such as:
1. Expanding scientific research:
- A network of five March of Dimes Prematurity Research Centers is pioneering an innovative team approach to identify the unknown causes of premature birth and find new ways to prevent it.
- The conditions in which people live and work have a profound impact on birth outcomes. Scientists have learned that these factors can actually modify how genes are expressed. Studying and understanding the effect of factors such as health care, housing, jobs, neighborhood safety, food security, and income is key to achieving better health or birth equity for all.
2. Increasing education:
- Traditional and new social media campaigns are educating women of childbearing age and healthcare professionals. We’re a trusted source on best practices, from reducing early elective (non-medically indicated) deliveries, to low-dose aspirin to group prenatal care that can dramatically improve the health of moms and babies.
3. Strengthening advocacy for policies that prioritize the health of moms and babies:
- March of Dimes and our supporters work to ensure government policies and programs create a better community context for healthy pregnancies and infants. By advocating for the needs of moms and babies, we work to ensure no mom or baby falls through the cracks.
- We launched a Prematurity Campaign Collaborative, convening 300 leading maternal and child health organizations and experts to build a movement around equity and preterm birth.
4. Improving clinical care programs and practice:
- The March of Dimes creates and runs its signature programs on the ground that help improve health outcomes for mothers and babies, such as Supportive Pregnancy Care; and support and educate families with preterm babies, such as NICU Family Support.