The words, "Abortion Funds 101: Abortion funds are experts at navigating the difficult terrain of trying to get an abortion, after doing this work for decades," on a pale purple background criss-crossed by networked lines.

Abortion Funds 101

Curious to learn more about abortion funds? Here’s 10 need-to-know details:

  • The words, "Abortion Funds 101: Abortion funds are uniquely powerful because we're pushing progress at local, regional, and national levels," on a pale purple background criss-crossed by networked lines.
  • The words, "Abortion Funds 101: Abortion funds are united as a network of autonomous organizations that are funding abortion and building power to fight for cultural and political change," on a pale yellow background criss-crossed by networked lines.
  • The words, “Abortion Funds 101: Abortion funds are experts at navigating the difficult terrain of trying to get an abortion, after doing this work for decades,” on a pale purple background criss-crossed by networked lines.
  • The words, “Abortion Funds 101: Abortion funds are autonomous in their structures and policies because they know the needs of their communities best,” on a pale purple background criss-crossed by networked lines.
  • The words, “Abortion Funds 101: Abortion funds often help people navigate barriers in addition to paying for procedures. This includes transportation, child care payment, lodging, translation services, abortion doulas, and more,” on a pale yellow background criss-crossed by networked lines.
  • The words, “Abortion Funds 101: Abortion funds form a network of over 70 grassroots organizations,” on a pale purple background criss-crossed by networked lines.
  1. Abortion funds are united as a network of local, autonomous organizations that are funding abortion and building power to fight for cultural and political change. We’re uniquely powerful because we’re pushing progress at local, regional, and national levels. Make a donation to support the National Network of Abortion Funds!
  2. Together abortion funds form a network of over 70 grassroots organizations that directly supported 56,155 people in fiscal year 2019. But that’s only 26% of the 215,573 calls our network received that year. There is great unmet need. As fierce as abortion funds are, they need more support from people like you who care about making abortion accessible.  
  3. Abortion funds are autonomous in their structures and policies. Our collective power as a network is rooted in our community connections and localized expertise. Abortion funds are the experts in direct service across widely varying cultural and political geographies.
  4. A lot of funds are run and led by volunteers who answer phone calls, drive people to appointments, and coordinate events like Fund-a-Thon. However, right now, the racial, economic, and gender diversity that is so important to the abortion access movement is not reflected in our volunteers. We are actively working to better match the identities of people who answer and lead helplines with the people who call helplines.
  5. A majority of abortion funds do “intake” with people who contact them for funding using hotlines and coldlines. We never ask a caller to prove they need support and only gather essential information before pledging support.
  6. Abortion funds often help people navigate barriers in addition to paying for procedures. We make sure people feel respected and valued when they call. We believe in a holistic approach because people facing abortion barriers often face more than one. That’s why many funds also provide “practical support,” including transportation, child care payment, lodging, translation services, abortion doulas, and more.
  7. Abortion funds often work with each other if they can’t fully assist a caller, or if a caller is traveling across regions. This collaborative funding is leading to more collaborative fundraising too!
  8. Fund-a-Thon and Taco or Beer Challenge are two examples of network-wide collaborative grassroots fundraising events that anyone can participate in! Member organizations are funded by communities and rely on you to spread the word about the critical work they’re doing. These two annual events are fun and important ways to show up for abortion access and your local fund.
  9. Abortion funds have been navigating the difficult terrain of trying to get an abortion for a long time. We have decades of wisdom and experience assisting people over abortion barriers with compassion and care. While we don’t always know what political changes will bring, we will always work to provide a safety net of care. That’s why we’re also fighting for everyone to have access to resources and support for ALL reproductive options in the future.
  10. YOU can become a member of our network of abortion funds and anchor your membership with a local abortion fund of your choice. You’ll stay in the loop with your local fund, and with the National Network of Abortion Funds. Upon joining our network as an individual member, you will receive the iconic “Everyone Loves Someone Who Had An Abortion” T-shirt. Each year, you will have the opportunity to again declare your commitment to abortion funds! Through annual membership renewal, you’ll receive an exciting new member gift designed to challenge abortion stigma and change the culture around abortion. Sliding scale and gift memberships are available!

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