Merck for Mothers

What Merck for Mothers does

Merck for Mothers is Merck & Co., Inc.'s $500 million global health initiative, launched in 2011 to help create a world where no woman has to die while giving life. The initiative is a corporate social responsibility program—not a separate revenue-generating entity—funded entirely by Merck & Co. and known as MSD for Mothers outside the United States and Canada. It serves pregnant and postpartum women, particularly in low- and middle-income countries and underserved U.S. populations, through a portfolio of signature programs including the Focus Countries Program (India, Kenya, Nigeria, and the United States), the Global Grants Program, the Safer Childbirth Cities Initiative, Postpartum Hemorrhage Prevention Programs, the MomCare digital platform, the Safe Delivery mobile application, and the Hear Her public health campaign developed with the CDC Foundation. As of 2025, programs and partnerships have reached over 13 million women across 50 countries, supported 295+ programs in 75+ global sites, and engaged 210+ collaborators including UNICEF, Pathfinder International, White Ribbon Alliance, CDC Foundation, and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement.

The initiative's underlying technology centers on digital health platforms and mobile applications designed to support quality maternal care delivery in low-resource settings. Core digital assets include MomCare (a digital maternal healthcare platform adapted during COVID-19 for continuity of care in Kenya), the Safe Delivery Application (a mobile learning tool for skilled birth attendants), the HERA Digital Health mobile app (which reached nearly 250,000 Syrian refugee users in Türkiye), the Hear Her campaign platform (developed with CDC, reportedly reaching nearly 400 million people), and digital investments in postpartum hemorrhage prevention including heat-stable carbetocin and vacuum-induced hemorrhage control devices (Jada System). The technology stack is described as "digital health platforms, mobile health applications, data analytics for health systems strengthening." No AI/ML or proprietary model components are documented in the input data.

Merck for Mothers does not generate revenue and does not sell products or services; it operates as a grant-making philanthropy. Its go-to-market model is community-led and grant-based, distributing strategic investments through NGOs, governments, healthcare providers, and UN agencies. The Global Grants Program has contributed nearly $50 million since 2012 across 90+ projects in more than 45 countries, while signature initiatives are implemented through direct partnerships with healthcare organizations. The initiative is led by Dr. Mary-Ann Etiebet (AVP for Health Equity and Lead of Merck for Mothers) and Jacquelyn Caglia (Head of Merck for Mothers), operating within Merck's Social Impact and Sustainability division. In 2021, Merck launched the annual Kenneth C. Frazier Award for Maternal Health Equity to recognize outstanding organizations in the field, with past recipients including Sinergias (2021), Mali Health (2022), ARMMAN (2023), Moving Health (2024), and HERA Digital Health (2025).

Name

Merck for Mothers

Legal name

Merck & Co., Inc.

Website

https://merckformothers.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Merck for Mothers is Merck & Co.'s $500 million global health initiative launched in 2011 to reduce preventable maternal mortality, funding programs across 50+ countries that have reached 13 million women through partnerships with 210+ collaborators including NGOs, governments, and UN agencies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maternal Health Programs

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Maternal, Newborn, Child & Adolescent Health (MNCAH) NGOs (HLAJAKAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Monitoring, Evaluation, Research & Learning (MERL) (BPAGABAO), Maternal, Child & Family Health Program Funding (HLAJALAG), Maternal, Child & Family Health Organizations (BPAGACAF)

Keywords

• Maternal health programs
• Global health initiatives
• Maternal mortality prevention
• Health systems strengthening
• Corporate philanthropy programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Kenilworth

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Others, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Corporate Philanthropy and Global Health Initiative: Merck for Mothers is a $500 million global health initiative funded by Merck & Co., Inc. It is a corporate responsibility/CSR initiative focused on reducing maternal mortality rather than a revenue-generating business. The initiative makes strategic investments and grants to improve maternal health outcomes globally.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Merck for Mothers is Merck & Co., Inc.'s $500 million global health initiative, launched in 2011, that funds and partners with NGOs, governments, healthcare providers, and communities in more than 50 countries to end preventable maternal mortality. It delivers its offering through Global Grants, Focus Country programs, city-based initiatives such as Safer Childbirth Cities, and coalition-based efforts that combine grant funding, technical assistance, advocacy, and digital tools (including the MomCare platform) to improve maternal healthcare access, quality, and outcomes.

Product overview

Merck for Mothers is Merck's global health initiative (known as MSD for Mothers outside the U.S. and Canada) to help create a world where no woman has to die while giving life. The initiative is structured as a portfolio of signature programs rather than a unified software product. Core programs include: the Focus Countries Program (India, Kenya, Nigeria, U.S.) addressing maternal health at country level; the Global Grants Program enabling Merck offices worldwide to support NGOs with nearly $50M contributed since 2012; the Safer Childbirth Cities Initiative supporting 20 U.S. city-based coalitions; and the Kenneth C. Frazier Award for Maternal Health Equity recognizing excellence in maternal health equity. The initiative also encompasses the Postpartum Hemorrhage Prevention Programs, Strengthening Systems for Safer Childbirth Initiative, MomCare digital platform, and the Hear Her public health campaign. Programs focus on health systems strengthening, quality improvement, digital innovation, and community-based solutions rather than commercial product development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Global Grants Program Multi-year grant funding and technical assistance for NGOs, government agencies, and healthcare organizations working to end preventable maternal mortality; intended for maternal health implementers operating in low- and middle-income countries and select U.S. settings.
• Focus Countries Program Deep, multi-year country-level engagement combining grant funding, partnership building, and technical support in priority high-maternal-mortality countries such as India, Nigeria, and Kenya; intended for in-country NGOs, governments, and healthcare providers.
• Safer Childbirth Cities Initiative U.S. city-based program that convenes community coalitions, funds local organizations, and supports maternal health systems strengthening in U.S. cities; intended for U.S. municipalities, community-based organizations, and healthcare providers.
• MomCare Digital Platform Digital maternal health platform that supports expectant mothers through pregnancy with educational content, appointment reminders, and connections to care; intended for pregnant women in supported geographies and the healthcare providers serving them.
• Postpartum Hemorrhage Prevention Program Program targeting the leading cause of maternal mortality through prevention, treatment, and provider training on postpartum hemorrhage; intended for healthcare providers, professional associations, and government health systems.
• Strengthening Systems for Safer Childbirth Initiative Coalition-based initiative that convenes partners around health systems strengthening for safer childbirth, focusing on quality of care, supply chains, and provider capacity; intended for governments, NGOs, professional associations, and academic institutions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 13 million women reached with programs promoting safe, high-quality, respectful care
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• UNICEFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNICEF is a key grantee and implementing partner in multiple countries including Kazakhstan, Türkiye, and Romania. UNICEF works to improve access to high-quality, integrated health services for pregnant women and mothers by strengthening health systems, scaling innovative standards, training, tools, and digital platforms.
• Pathfinder InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPathfinder International (Tanzania) is improving access to high-quality maternal health care across 60 facilities in the Morogoro region through strengthened service delivery, referral systems, supervision, data use, and provider-client experience supported by a hub-and-spoke model, digital tools, and government-led engagement.
• White Ribbon AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWhite Ribbon Alliance (UK) is expanding the UK's Free From Harm training program, aiming to equip 2,000 maternity care providers to better prevent obstetric violence, strengthen workforce resilience, and improve outcomes for women through trauma-informed, equity-centered care.
• TASCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTASC (Ireland) is improving knowledge of and access to maternal health services for ethnic minorities and migrant groups, through the development of training and advocacy for specific populations.
• CDC FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with CDC Foundation on the Hear Her campaign, a national communication campaign that brings attention to maternal mortality and provides support to pregnant and postpartum women to speak up when something does not feel right.
• Institute for Healthcare ImprovementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIHI led the Better Maternal Outcomes Rapid Improvement Network, connecting hospitals and providers in the U.S. to improve maternal health outcomes by delivering safe, equitable, respectful care and reducing inequities. The initiative worked in four cities: Atlanta, Detroit, New Orleans, and Washington, DC.
• Every Mother CountscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOVID-19 Maternal Health Response Fund grant recipient engaging community-based organizations led by midwives and doulas to address challenges in accessing safe, respectful, high-quality maternity care for underserved communities during the pandemic.
• March of DimescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on Healthy Moms, Strong Babies initiative during COVID-19 to ensure women remain connected to healthcare providers and have access to critical health information through webinars and a resource hub.
• National Birth Equity CollaborativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborator in the Better Maternal Outcomes project, working to improve Black maternal health through community collaboration and locally-driven, co-designed rapid improvements.
• Preeclampsia FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in MoMMA's (Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Advocates) Voices Coalition, the first-ever maternal health patient advocacy coalition bringing together voices of people who have experienced childbirth complications and family members who have lost loved ones.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund): The lead UN agency on reproductive health and maternal mortality, working directly with governments worldwide to improve maternal health outcomes. Closely comparable mission and operating geography to Merck for Mothers' maternal health grant-making.
• Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI): Global health organization focused on market-shaping and health systems strengthening in low- and middle-income countries, with programs that overlap Merck for Mothers' focus country model (e.g., India, Kenya, Nigeria). Similar grant-funded operating model and emphasis on supply-side innovation.
• Every Mother Counts: Nonprofit founded by Christy Turlington Burns dedicated to making pregnancy and childbirth safe for every mother. Direct peer in maternal health mission; also an existing Merck for Mothers grant recipient (COVID-19 Maternal Health Response Fund), reinforcing peer-level overlap.
• AMREF Health Africa: Africa's largest nonprofit health organization, focused on health systems strengthening and community health in sub-Saharan Africa. Highly comparable to Merck for Mothers' Africa focus country programs (Kenya, Nigeria) and grant-based implementation model.
• March of Dimes: Established U.S. nonprofit focused on maternal and infant health, with Healthy Moms, Strong Babies initiative. Comparable mission and U.S.-centric maternal health programming to Merck for Mothers' Safer Childbirth Cities initiative; also a current Merck for Mothers partner.
• Pathfinder International: Global nonprofit focused on sexual and reproductive health, including maternal health, with country programs in Merck for Mothers' focus geographies (e.g., Tanzania Morogoro region). Comparable mission, operating model, and target geographies.

Broad incumbents

• Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance: Public-private global health partnership focused on immunization in low-income countries, with similar cross-sector funder model (corporations, governments, foundations) and program scale to Merck for Mothers. Useful comparator for structure of large multi-stakeholder global health initiatives.
• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: The world's largest philanthropic foundation, with a substantial global health portfolio including Maternal, Newborn & Child Health (MNCH) that overlaps heavily with Merck for Mothers' focus. While broader in scope, Gates Foundation is the most relevant comparison for a CSR-backed global health initiative of Merck for Mothers' scale.
• Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation: Major private foundation with a large global reproductive and maternal health grantmaking portfolio. Comparable as a large, mission-aligned philanthropic funder operating in maternal and reproductive health globally.
• Wellcome Trust: Major global charitable foundation funding health research and programs including maternal and reproductive health. Comparable as a large philanthropic funder operating in global health with grant-making, evidence generation, and ecosystem curation activities similar to Merck for Mothers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MSDForMothers
• Facebookfacebook.com/MSDforMothers

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments6 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Merck for Mothers