[FOUNDERS SERIES] Motherhood Beyond Bars

Today on 7-Figure Fundraising, host Trevor Bragdon is joined by Amy Ard, the Executive Director of Motherhood Beyond Bars. Amy advocates for women and families impacted by incarceration. Before Motherhood Beyond Bars, Amy worked as a doula for women in Washington DC. It was during that time that she witnessed the conditions an incarcerated woman had to give birth in and that experience caused her to shift her focus completely.  

The work of Motherhood Beyond Bars was originally started by Bethany Kotar with the purpose of improving the health and wellbeing of incarcerated pregnant women in Georgia. Amy took over the organization in 2018 and has been working to grow the program ever since. She’s worked to both change legislation surrounding these issues and develop programs like postpartum support groups, parenting classes, and much more. Amy stresses the importance of listening to these women and allowing their feedback to direct the training and programs she develops. 

In 2020, Motherhood Beyond Bars had to make a significant pivot almost overnight. They started a program that identifies and reaches out to every caregiver who picks up the newborn of an incarcerated mother. They are focusing their resources on supporting the caregivers and children as well as continuing their work with incarcerated mothers via a prison email system. Every month they are reaching out to caregiver families asking important questions about health, parenting, and communication.

Amy says she’s not a born fundraiser, but having a big heart for the program and telling why it’s important with passion is the key successful fundraising. For other folks who are looking to make a difference in communities, Amy recommends looking at what other nonprofits are doing and seeing if you can combine forces with them. She says it’s easy to become overwhelmed by all the sorrow and need in the world. Instead, she recommends to focus on one area you can have an impact on today.

As the episode ends, Amy shares what’s next for Motherhood Beyond Bars and advice for other nonprofit leaders.

Key Takeaways:

• 0:23 - Trevor introduces today’s guest, Amy Ard.

• 2:05 - Amy shares how she began her journey to assisting incarcerated mothers.

• 22:42 - How the relationship with the Georgia Department of Corrections changed.

• 28:12 - Why diapers are a key part of the nonprofit’s programs

• 40:44 - What’s next for Motherhood Beyond Bars

• 43:59 - Amy’s advice for other nonprofit leaders during tough times.