National Network of Abortion Funds

The National Network of Abortion Funds (NNAF) is a national social justice organization that aims to increase access to abortion for low-income people across the U.S.[1]

Founding and history

The NNAF was founded by 22 grassroots abortion funds at a conference held May 1–2, 1993, at the National 4H Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland. The NNAF incorporated in 1994. A six-person national board was elected at the 1993 conference, and each board member was assigned several funds for which they had networking and communicating responsibilities.[1]

Since 1994, the NNAF has charged its board with increasing the organization's diversity of age, race, and ethnicity. From 1993 to 2003, the NNAF functioned with minimal paid infrastructure: office space was donated by Hampshire College, Marlene G. Fried served as unpaid executive director and fundraiser, Shawn Towhey acted as unpaid communications director, and other national board members coordinated and implemented the programmatic work of the organization through task forces.[1] Beginning in 1998, grants from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation enabled the NNAF to hire three consultants (development, organizational, and technology), which enabled it to reach new levels of sustainability and growth. In 2005, the board created the position of National Case Manager to oversee distribution of monies specifically designated for abortion funding.[1]

Mission

The NNAF works to facilitate networking and to provide support and technical assistance to local member funds, which in turn provide direct assistance to women seeking abortions.[2] The organization also conducts national and state-based advocacy to ensure that those most in need (low-income women, women of color, and young women) have access to abortion and full reproductive health care. In 2000, the Fund spearheaded the Campaign for Access to Reproductive Equity, which aimed to reverse the Hyde Amendment and make it possible for people to secure Medicaid funding for abortions.[3]

Studies have found that financial assistance provided by abortion funds is essential for women who are not able to afford out of pocket abortion costs, and it is particularly beneficial for patients of color, and those who are younger and single.[4][5][6][7]

NNAF is a member of several national coalitions, including the Training and Access Working Group (TAWG), the Communications Group (communications directors from pro-choice organizations), and SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Health Collective.[1]

References
  1. "Collection: National Network of Abortion Funds records | Smith College Finding Aids". Retrieved 2020-07-08.  This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 3.0 license.
  2. Fried, Marlene Gerber (2012-11-15). "Reproductive Rights Activism in the Post-Roe Era". American Journal of Public Health. 103 (1): 10–14. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2012.301125. ISSN 0090-0036. PMC 3518354. PMID 23153156.
  3. Boonstra, Heather; Sonfield, Adam (2000). "Rights without access: revisiting public funding of abortion for poor women". The Guttmacher Report on Public Policy. 3 (2): 8–11.
  4. Ely, Gretchen E.; Jackson, D. Lynn; Hales, Travis W.; Maguin, Eugene; Hamiltona, Greer. "THE UNDUE BURDEN OF PAYING FOR ABORTION: AN EXAMINATION OF ABORTION FUNDING ASSISTANCE CASES IN THE UNITED STATES". Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  5. Henshaw, Stanley K.; Finer, Lawrence B. (2003). "The accessibility of abortion services in the United States, 2001". Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health. 35 (1): 16–24. doi:10.1363/3501603. PMID 12602753.
  6. Monroe, Katie (2019). "" Radical Acts of Community Care": Lessons from Bail and Abortion Funds". Kennedy School Review. 19: 51–55.
  7. Gerber Fried, Marlene (1997). "Abortion in the US: Barriers to access". Reproductive Health Matters. 5 (9): 37–45. doi:10.1016/S0968-8080(97)90004-5.
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