The Vital Role of Abortion Funds in Sustaining Reproductive Healthcare Access
The DC Abortion Fund (DCAF) is one of the largest abortion funds in the U.S., supporting abortion seekers from DC and across the country. With the best abortion access in the country, connections to multiple area clinics, and a relentlessly supportive community behind us, we make abortion access happen for thousands every year. Solidarity funding is defined as the act of rallying community support toward a shared cause; it is the practice of investing in fellow people, particularly when systems fail us.
The Fragile Infrastructure of Abortion Access
Abortion access in the United States is an incredibly fragile infrastructure—one we often scramble to hold together. We team up with national and sibling funds to rally support for every caller through like-minded connections, exhaustive communication channels, and a solid dose of grit. Bridging the gap between hyperlocal and (inter)national abortion access remains a priority as the overwhelming majority of donations comes from individuals—not Big Philanthropy—with an average contribution of just $237.
However, many abortion funds across the country are facing significant challenges. For instance, abortion funds run short of money as demand soars and donations fall. There are 100 abortion funds working in collaboration across the country as part of the National Network of Abortion Funds. They received a spike in donations right after the court’s Dobbs decision, allowing them to collectively dispense close to $37 million to 102,855 people in the year following, but the pace isn’t sustainable.
Supporting Residents in the DC Region
We proudly serve a community that, while not afforded statehood or congressional representation, bands together through mutual aid to strongly support abortion access. The DC region is made up predominantly of Black and Brown people, with high poverty rates and an even higher cost of living. And [no] thanks to the Hyde Amendment, federal funds—including Medicaid, TRICARE, RPCV, IHS, and CHIP—cannot be put toward abortion care. Since inception, DCAF has worked tirelessly to ensure one’s socioeconomic status does not block them from accessing care.
Why DC is a Safe Current Haven for Abortion Access
Washington, DC has been a destination for abortion seekers since 1971—two years before Roe v. Wade. Today, it remains a critical resource for several reasons:
- Abortion is legal: Abortion is legal in Washington, DC at every stage of pregnancy. We welcome abortion seekers from across state or international lines.
- No parental consent laws: In DC, you can get an abortion at any age, without permission from a parent or guardian.
- All-trimester clinics: Currently, there are only a few places in the country where you can receive a third-trimester abortion—DC is one of them.
- Exceptional care: DC clinics staff some of the most talented healthcare professionals in the country.
DCAF pays it forward by funding abortion seekers all over the country—including locations with fewer financial resources or where access is threatened. Unfortunately, many people exhaust their funds through travel and hotel expenses, leaving nothing left to dedicate toward their procedure. We’re here to close the financial gap for all callers traveling to the region.
Impact and Financial Data of Abortion Funds
| Organization / Fund | Key Statistics and Financial Impact |
|---|---|
| DC Abortion Fund (DCAF) | Since 2016, grassroots pledges expanded abortion access to 41,009 callers. |
| National Network of Abortion Funds | Dispensed $37 million to 102,855 people in the year following the Dobbs decision. |
| Abortion Fund of Ohio | Paid out $1.5 million in 2023 to help close to 4,400 patients get abortions. |
| Individual Contributions | Average donation of just $237 from grassroots supporters. |
National Trends in Abortion Funding
STAT spoke with officials of five abortion funds who said they’ve seen a fall in donations over the past year, even as the costs of accessing abortion soar in the wake of the Supreme Court’s June 2022 decision. “Every single abortion fund” has seen a drop in funding, said Bree Wallace, director of intake at the Tampa Bay Abortion Fund in Florida. After Roe fell, funds received a lot of “rage donations,” but many organizations are now reevaluating their funding policies and tightening purses as demand outstrips donations.