Baby Steps Establishes Endowment in Partnership with Community Foundation and United Way

Pictured left to right: Helena Girouard/Baby Steps Daytona Administrator, Kim Brown-Crawford/Baby Steps Daytona Board Member and Intracoastal Bank team member, Pamela Carbiener, MD/Baby Steps Daytona Medical Director, Jennie Joseph/Midwife and Founder of Common Sense Childbirth

Baby Steps, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting mothers and babies with life-saving, health-focused care, announced the launch of the Baby Steps Endowment in partnership with the Community Foundation and United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties (CF/UWVFC).

The endowment begins with a $50,000 seed fund and represents a bold investment in the future of Baby Steps and the families it serves. With a long-term goal of building the endowment to $6 million by 2030, the fund is projected to generate $250,000 annually in sustainable support for the organization’s mission. “An endowment is a powerful tool for nonprofits,” said Jan Miller, Board Chair of the Community Foundation and United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties. “It sends a message of stability and vision, reassuring donors that Baby Steps is planning for the future. We’re proud to partner in building this resource and supporting an organization making such a critical difference in the lives of families.”

Since its launch in April 2025, thanks to partnerships with the Volusia County Health Department and AdventHealth, Baby Steps has already served 240 new patients for prenatal care in all trimesters. Access to care remains particularly difficult for women with Medicaid coverage, leaving many without early prenatal care—or any care at all—until complications arise. These gaps increase the risk of preterm birth, maternal complications, extended NICU stays, and long-term healthcare costs. In contrast, early and consistent prenatal care reduces risks, lowers costs, and gives babies the strongest possible start in life.

Managed by CF/UWVFC, the Baby Steps Endowment balances stability and growth while allowing Baby Steps to stay focused on serving families. CF/UWVFC also supports the organization by handling complex gifts—such as stock, property, or other non-cash assets—and by assisting staff with fundraising efforts.

At a kickoff event on September 23, 2025, supporters heard of the needs facing prenatal and postpartum care in our community and Baby Steps’ role in addressing these needs. The Board of Directors also formally announced the launch of the Baby Steps Endowment.

The Baby Steps Endowment will serve as a cornerstone of financial sustainability, extending the legacy of AdventHealth’s early investment and ensuring that the organization can continue to provide vital care, resources, and hope to mothers and babies in Volusia County well into the future. David Sinclair, MD, President and CEO of AdventHealth Daytona Beach, “Every pregnant patient should have access to support, and every baby deserves the resources for a healthy start.”

Give to the Baby Steps Endowment Fund: https://bit.ly/babystepsendowment

For more information about the fund or partnership, contact:

Emmanuel Kamel

Development Support Specialist

Community Foundation and United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties

[email protected] | 386-405-5745