National Network Of Abortion Funds

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $18,324,680 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Varies by programme (rapid grants available on demand)
• Geographic Focus: National

Contact Details

Website: https://abortionfunds.org

Mailing Address: 9450 SW Gemini Dr. PMB 16009 Beaverton, OR 97008-7105

General Contact: Contact form available at https://abortionfunds.org/contact-us/ Membership Enquiries: [email protected] Grantmaking Enquiries: [email protected]

Overview

Founded in 1993 by a group of 22 independent abortion funds, the National Network of Abortion Funds (NNAF) has grown to support nearly 100 member abortion funds across the United States. The organisation distributed over $18 million in grants in 2023, with total assets of approximately $65.4 million as of June 2024. NNAF's mission centres on removing financial and logistical barriers to abortion access by providing grants, leadership development, infrastructure support, and technical assistance to member abortion funds. The organisation has experienced significant growth following the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision, expanding from approximately 40 staff members pre-Dobbs to 89 staff members, and establishing several permanent grant programmes. NNAF operates with core values of intersectionality, autonomy, compassion, and collective power, emphasising rapid grant distribution with minimal bureaucratic barriers.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

1. Count On It Grant (COI)

• Multi-year unrestricted funding for general operating costs
• Enables member funds greater security and the ability to plan in advance
• Application: Scheduled application window
• Reporting: Required

2. Power Up Grant (PUG)

• Unrestricted general operating support
• Allows funds to strengthen operations, support their team, and provide community care
• Application: Scheduled application window
• Reporting: Not required

3. Collective Power Fund (CPF)

• Restricted direct support grant
• Eligible uses: Abortions and logistical care (transportation, lodging, childcare, and other practical needs)
• Application: Scheduled application window
• Reporting: Required

4. Technical Assistance (TA) Mini Grants

• Small restricted grants for special projects
• Available on demand with a fast payment process
• Application: Rolling window
• Reporting: Not required

5. Emergent Gathering Grants (EGGs)

• Restricted grants supporting collaborative meetings and retreats between two or more member funds
• Eligible uses: Travel, gathering, and accessibility costs
• Application: Rolling window
• Reporting: Not required

Priority Areas

• Collaborative Approach: Funds aligned with NNAF's four core values (intersectionality, autonomy, compassion, and collective power)
• Network Building: Support for member funds to strengthen movement-building capacity

What They Don't Fund

• NNAF does not provide direct support to individual abortion seekers (member funds provide this support)
• Only NNAF member abortion funds are eligible for grants
• Currently not accepting new member funds (membership temporarily paused)

Governance and Leadership

Leadership:

• Poonam Dreyfus-Pai - Interim Executive Director (as of early 2025, formerly Chief of Staff)
• Oriaku Njoku - Former Executive Director (served through 2024, compensation: $278,804 + $14,480 other compensation in fiscal 2024)

Board of Directors: The organisation currently has three board members (as of early 2025), a significant reduction from 14 board members listed on previous financial filings. The board brings transformative leadership, wide-ranging expertise, and strong community ties with local funds and partners.

Staff: 89 staff members as of 2025, representing substantial growth from pre-Dobbs staffing levels.

Leadership Perspectives: Colleagues described Oriaku's tenure: "Oriaku's leadership contributed to major strategic policy work, focused on self-managed abortion and the future of abortion access" and "Oriaku has been instrumental in supporting abortion funds to be centered in national movement-building spaces."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

NNAF grants are only available to member abortion funds. The organisation is currently taking a break from adding new funds to their network.

For Established Funds Seeking Membership: Contact [email protected] for information about joining the network.

Special Consideration: Groups of organisers led by Black, Indigenous, or people of colour who see a gap in support in their community can email [email protected] to discuss potential fund creation.

Application Methods by Programme:

• Technical Assistance Mini Grants: Available on demand via rolling application window
• Emergent Gathering Grants: Available via rolling application window
• Count On It Grant, Power Up Grant, and Collective Power Fund: Scheduled application windows (specific dates not publicly disclosed)

Decision Timeline

Timeline varies by programme:

• Technical Assistance Mini Grants: Rapid turnaround (available on demand)
• Emergent Gathering Grants: Rolling window
• Count On It Grant, Power Up Grant, Collective Power Fund: Scheduled application windows (specific timelines not publicly disclosed)

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed. The organisation made 93 awards in 2023, distributing over $18 million to member funds.

Reapplication Policy

• Scheduled Programmes (COI, PUG, CPF): Scheduled application windows; specific reapplication policies not publicly disclosed
• Technical Assistance Mini Grants: Multiple grants available throughout the year as needed
• Emergent Gathering Grants: Available on a rolling basis
• No waiting periods mentioned for unsuccessful applicants

Application Success Factors

NNAF's grant programmes are designed with a focus on reducing unnecessary barriers to funding and quickly moving money to where it is needed most. The organisation states: "We keep applications simple."

Key Success Factors:

1. Member Standing: Must be an active NNAF member abortion fund in good standing
2. Alignment with Core Values: Funds should demonstrate alignment with NNAF's four core values — intersectionality, autonomy, compassion, and collective power
3. Collaborative Stance: NNAF values network building and collaborative approaches
4. Streamlined Approach: Stakeholder feedback emphasised the need for a "streamlined system for accessing extra funds"

NNAF's Grant Philosophy:

Technical Assistance Mini Grants are intentionally free of difficult application and reporting requirements, reflecting the organisation's commitment to accessibility.

Recent Funded Projects:

Member funds have used Technical Assistance Mini Grants for:

• Board development
• Strategic planning
• Website accessibility updates
• Staff training programmes

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Membership Required: Only NNAF member abortion funds can access grants; membership currently paused for new applicants
• Minimal Barriers: NNAF intentionally designs programmes with reduced application and reporting requirements, particularly for Technical Assistance Mini Grants
• Multiple Opportunities: Member funds can access multiple grant programmes simultaneously
• Values Alignment Critical: Demonstrating alignment with intersectionality, autonomy, compassion, and collective power strengthens applications
• Rapid Response Available: Technical Assistance Mini Grants and Emergent Gathering Grants offer rolling windows with quick turnaround for time-sensitive needs
• Relationship-Based Approach: The organisation emphasises network building and collaborative relationships rather than traditional competitive grantmaking

References

• National Network of Abortion Funds Official Website. "NNAF Grants." https://abortionfunds.org/nnaf-grants/ (Accessed May 2026)
• National Network of Abortion Funds. "Become a Member Fund." https://abortionfunds.org/become-a-member-fund/ (Accessed May 2026)
• National Network of Abortion Funds. "Collective Power Fund: Redistributing Wealth for Abortion Justice." https://abortionfunds.org/collective-power-fund/ (Accessed May 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. "National Network Of Abortion Funds." https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/43236982 (Accessed January 2026)
• National Network of Abortion Funds. "Contact Us." https://abortionfunds.org/contact-us/ (Accessed May 2026)
• National Network of Abortion Funds. "What We Do." https://abortionfunds.org/what-we-do/ (Accessed May 2026)
• National Network of Abortion Funds. "On Oriaku's Two Years of Centering Hope and Sustainability at NNAF." https://abortionfunds.org/oriaku-at-nnaf/ (Accessed January 2026)