Postpartum Progress’ Climb Out of the Darkness® is the world’s largest event raising awareness of maternal mental illnesses like postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety & OCD, postpartum PTSD, postpartum psychosis, postpartum bipolar disorder, and pregnancy depression and anxiety. In 2015, more than $240,000 was raised during this event, an almost 40 percent increase over 2014. In addition, 2,500 Climbers participated in teams worldwide, an increase of 60 percent over 2014. We’re very excited to start getting ready for next year’s Climb, which will be held on Saturday, June 18th, 2016. Mark your calendars!!!!
As part of our preparations, we’re opening up the application process for our 2016 Climb Out of the Darkness Local Grant program. Each year, Postpartum Progress’ Board of Directors elects to donate a percentage of funds raised by Climbs held in selected states to local, independent, 501c3 registered nonprofit organizations that provide direct services, such as support groups, or that lead community network development (building up systems of referral between OBs/pediatricians/PCPs or hospitals and reproductive psychiatry specialists). We believe it is important to support local organizations that are truly making a difference directly for moms in their communities.
In 2015, grants ranging in size from $400 to $3600 were made to the following organizations:
- New York Climbs – Postpartum Resource Center of New York
- Michigan Climbs – Moms Bloom
- Ontario Climbs – Life With A Baby
- British Columbia Climbs – Pacific Post Partum Support Society
- California Climbs – California Maternal Mental Health Collaborative
- Massachusetts Climbs – MotherWoman
- Virginia Climbs – Postpartum Support Virginia
- North Carolina Climbs – Postpartum Education & Support
New for 2016!
For our 2016 cycle, we are excited to launch a new grant application process. All grant applications must be submitted via our online application. Postpartum Progress will also require all grant applicants to answer a series of questions to help us better ensure that the Climb grants we make each year meet the mission and priorities of our organization. Measures have also been put in place to ensure that, with the help of our awardees, we are better able to track the outcomes and impact of the grants we make.
To review the 2016 Request for Funding (RFP) guidelines and apply for a grant, please click here: 2016 Grant Program Applications must be submitted by October 31, 2015. Please be sure your organization meets the eligibility requirements prior to submitting an application.
If you have any questions about the COTD Local Grants Program or would like to discuss your program’s eligibility, please email Amanda Hope, Event Manager at
