Partner Spotlight: Cecile Edwards, NJBEFA Executive Director

CHAP‘s state-based work began in New Jersey, where seven years ago, First Lady Tammy Murphy made addressing the state’s deeply rooted maternal health disparities a top priority. As co-founders of the New Jersey Birth Equity Funders Alliance (NJBEFA), we are proud to feature Executive Director, Cecile Edwards, in our latest Partner Spotlight.

Launched in 2021, the Alliance focuses on amplifying the voices of birth equity leaders, investing in community-based organizations, and building the infrastructure for cross-sector partnerships. In addition to a small team of dedicated staff, the organization’s work is guided by a ten person Community Advisory Committee, eight Mutual Aid Stewards, and additional funder members, the Burke Foundation, The Henry and Marilyn Taub Foundation, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and Organon. Bristol Myers Squibb and Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation support the Alliance as sponsors. 

What drew you to the field of maternal and child health, and how did you first get involved with NJBEFA?

I have always been involved in women and children’s liberation through education. My first job out of college was with an international organization called Basic Education Ethiopia. From there I pivoted into teaching. I came specifically to the birthing space through my own experience giving birth and needing major guidance and support.

Because of this, I founded my own business, Evolution Solutions – MommyEvolve, to provide support to other mothers. Through developing MommyEvolve, I met amazing people and occupied fantastic space, learning more about advocacy in maternal and child health.

“At a policy conversation, I met some of the founding members of NJBEFA and heard about the opportunity to become a Community Advisory Committee member. I had no clue what that meant, but I jumped in, knowing it would be an opportunity to learn. As NJBEFA’s Executive Director, I’ve learned so much about community-based work, philanthropy, equity in practice, and other nuances around running a non-profit. I feel lucky to learn from the amazing people I am surrounded by.”

Trust-based philanthropy and participatory grantmaking are central to NJBEFA’s model. How do you explain these approaches to those who may be less familiar with them?

Trust-based philanthropy is a way to forge partnership between philanthropy and community-based organizations (CBO’s), rather than the traditional model of philanthropy having power over them. Community voices lead and philanthropy acts as co-conspirators in ensuring they are funded and also centered when crafting the parameters within which funds are given. For example, our Community Advisory Committee is given a pot of funds and they create the RFP theme and standards, including an application that is palatable for small, new, busy, often overextended CBO’s. These committee members are community actors with either lived and/or professional experience.

Trust-based means listening to the community and implementing the solutions as we can, and/or advocating for the solutions they suggest. In the past, it has been, “this is what it is, and there is nothing to do about it.”  Now it is, “let’s see how we make this work!” This is how community leaders have to operate. It only makes sense that in the interest of expanding their capacity, philanthropy supports them in this way too.

When you reflect on NJBEFA’s first three years, what is one thing you are especially proud of?

I am proud of so many things. First, we have a good amount of trust among our Birth Equity Community partners—which we will always find ways to deepen. I am also proud that we have distributed over $500k in funds to organizations with budgets below $500k. I love that we are building a home-grown technical assistance pilot that will assist our grantees in building capacity, because we want to see them thrive. I am proud of the funders that are still with us and those joining that support this way of being in philanthropy, and that we are learning together consistently. I am also proud of my personal and professional growth as a leader!

Finally, what partnership advice would you offer to funders or community members looking to establish similar collaboratives in other states?

To address root causes, we must focus on solutions, leverage strengths, and ensure resources are available. People often find their own answers—our role is to support and empower them in making lasting change.

Stay the course, be flexible, and trust the community solutions that emerge. Think, “How can we support their success?”  Don’t dwell on feeling like you must deeply understand their methods. It’s not a linear process. You will have your logic models and strategic priorities, and your tactics will have to be flexible, especially when receiving input from many. Some things can be prepared for, many things will have to be walked through in order to see success or reconfigure a process.

Our gratitude to Cecile for sharing her experience and insights.
Learn more about NJBEFA and support their work.
Donations help strengthen the impact of community-rooted organizations and leaders who create change daily by providing critical services to birthing people throughout the state.