The Village Support Fund

The Village Support Fund is an agile, community-led intervention designed to eliminate the Economic-Health Collision for New York City mothers. We advance maternal health and economic justice by providing a financial safety net for women in the gig economy and low-wage sectors who lack access to traditional paid leave.

The Challenge

In New York City, the transition into motherhood is often marked by an "economic cliff." For thousands of women—particularly those in the gig economy or low-wage sectors—the absence of accessible, paid leave forces an impossible choice between physical recovery and financial survival. The Village Support Fund addresses this systemic gap which destabilizes the NYC workforce and deepens maternal health inequities.

The Solution

The Village Support Fund is an agile, community-led intervention providing immediate economic security to NYC mothers during the critical postpartum window. By utilizing a Trusted Nominator Network (including local doulas and community advocates), the Fund bypasses traditional bureaucratic hurdles to deliver "Bridge Grants" directly to families. This model ensures that financial support reaches those most vulnerable to the gaps in current NYC leave policies.

The Impact

Our shared goal for 2026 is to pilot a model that proves community trust is the most efficient engine for equity. Through this initiative, we aim to:

• Extend Recovery: Allow mothers to complete the critical "fourth trimester" without the trauma of immediate financial instability.
• Support Retention: Provide the financial floor necessary for a stable, healthy return to the New York workforce.