Dr Shalon Maternal Action Project Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The mission of Dr. Shalon Maternal Action Project is to increase awareness of the Black maternal health crisis, and to develop and promote community-based action-driven strategies that improve reproductive health outcomes and recognize the human-centered value of Black birthing people and families.
- Income
- $353,556
- Spending
- $232,358
- Spent on programs
- 77%
- Reserves
- 9.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 96%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 25
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (health care, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 9.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 34% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 12% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1577% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (health care, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
0 of 5Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (4)
- $159,642 spent. DSMAP continues to expand its impact through communty-driven advocacy, education, and direct support for families affected by Black maternal mortality. DSMAP continues to enhance the Believe Her App in an effort to provide a space of education and peer support. With a public presence - as panelists, lived experience experts, keynoters at national conferences and maternal health summits, DSMAP's co-founder, Wanda Irving, has remained steadfast in her commitment to educating and advocating for maternal health equity. She has shared her expertise and lived experience with over 100 influential platforms around the country, from the Indiana Maternal Health ECHO to Representative Lauren Underwood's Maternal Health Conference. Her tireless work continues to shape national conversations and push for meaningful systemic change. Reach & Recognition: An engaged network of over 3,000 individuals receive our regular updates, resources and calls to action through a curated communications list A growing digital footprint includes 950+ LinkedIn followers and an active Facebook audience DSMAP has been featured in national media outlets such as NPR, Essence and Delaware Public Media, with storytelling and advocacy that elevate the issue of maternal mortality and the resilience of Black families DSMAP created The Last Lullaby, an award-winning public awareness campaign honored by Clio Health for its impact on humanizing Black maternal mortality through visual storytelling.
- $13,810 spent. At the 2025 American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Annual Clinical & Scientific Meeting, DSMAP expanded its national outreach by exhibiting as a conference vendor and engaging with more than 300 physicians, nurses, researchers and other maternal health professionals. The organization distributed over 1,000 educational brochures highlighting maternal mortality prevention, health equity, and DSMAP's programs and resources. DSMAP also established 25 new professional contacts for future collaboration, partnership development, and dissemination of evidence-informed maternal health initiatives, increasing awareness of the organization's mission among healthcare leaders nationwide.
- $3,475 spent. GRAMMS- Grandmothers Rallying Against Maternal Mortality Sisterhood provides grief support, advocacy training and practical resources for women who have lost loved ones due to maternal complications. Impact Highlights: 70 of GRAMMS participants previously had no structured support system for navigating loss 85 reported increased confidence in advocating for Black maternal health reforms Educational workshops cover legal navigation after maternal loss, financial planning for caregivers, and emotional well-being 98 of participants reported gaining actionable knowledge they could apply in their lives and communities
- $2,484 spent. CommuniTEA 4 Change and CommuniTEA 4 Kids engaged approximately 100-300 adults through community education, stakeholder convenings and maternal health awareness activities during 2025, strengthening partnerships and increasing community engagement around maternal health equity. Based on program growth and expanded collaborations, participation is projected to double in 2026. CommuniTEA 4 Kids served more than 50 children through educational and wellness activities designed to promote resilience and healthy development. Program outcomes also led to a new collaborative initiative to establish a summer camp for children who have experienced the loss of their mothers, expanding supportive services for families affected by maternal mortality.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 2020.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.