State of the Network: The 2024 enrollment survey was NNAF’s largest yet. This year’s annual survey included results from 94 abortion funds, reporting on the fiscal year from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024. The results highlighted a drastic surge in support requests and costs for abortion access.
What is the Membership Enrollment Survey?
The Membership Enrollment Survey (MES) is a detailed, annual survey that NNAF’s Membership team shares with the abortion funds in our network. Each year, we ask them about the requests they received, the folks they supported, and the money they distributed. With the MES, we collect data from across the country on out-of-state travel, increases in funding requests, and other crucial details.
This vital survey helps us understand the health of our network. The MES responses guide our strategy for supporting funds and strengthening connections.
Highlights & Trends: MES 2024
The 2024 MES showed a rapidly widening gap between the demand for abortion support and the capacity for abortion funds to meet that need. The survey revealed stark increases in both requests from abortion seekers and the cost of care. These changes were driven largely by the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling, which overturned the protections of Roe v. Wade.
Bottom line: Abortion funds are scaling up at unheard-of rates but can’t meet the overwhelming call for support.
Surge in Abortion Funding Requests Since Dobbs
From 2020 to 2022, requests from abortion seekers and the support they received increased steadily each year.
But since Dobbs, abortion funds have seen an even bigger uptick in need. From 2023 to 2024, requests for abortion funding rose by 56%, and the number of people supported increased by 33%.
Despite their constant push to support more abortion seekers, the increase in requests meant that abortion funds were forced to turn people away. The percentage of abortion seekers supported dropped from about 70% in 2022 to 53.8% in 2024. This decrease highlights the growing gap between the need for abortion support and the limited resources available post-Roe.
Abortion Access Costs Even More
Abortion funding costs rose by 37%, and practical support expenses (such as travel, lodging, and childcare) increased by 30% over the past year.
These bumps were mainly due to growing logistical challenges. Restrictive abortion laws and outright bans forced people to travel farther and across state lines to get an abortion. 62% of the funds in our network experienced a striking increase in out-of-state abortion seekers.
These bans and harsher restrictions have caused the cost of abortions to rise and the volume of folks needing practical support to skyrocket, making abortion support more expensive and difficult for funds to sustain.
Capacity Grew, But Not Enough
While funds have expanded their operations and supported a record number of people, demand for support has outpaced their efforts.
Despite tireless work, abortion funds struggled to keep up with the changing abortion access landscape.
What Else Did MES 2024 Tell Us?
MES 2024 also offered insight into abortion fund operations. Check out the following snapshot to learn more about the funds in our network and the things they’ve achieved during the past fiscal year.
Budgets, staffing, and volunteer networks
- Median abortion funding budget: $181,714.58
- 23 funds were volunteer-led. That’s 24% of the funds in the NNAF network.
- 74 funds had at least one part-time staff member, which is 76% of member funds.
- 63 funds had full-time staff, or 65% of the funds with NNAF.
- 59 member funds provided some form of practical support. This represents 61% of the funds in our network.
- Total Volunteers: 350
Service delivery (support requested & given to abortion seekers)
- Member funds received 254,651 requests.
- Funds supported 136,880 abortion seekers.
- Abortion seekers supported with practical support: 28,216
- Total amount given by abortion funds: $50,674,759
- Total amount given for practical support: $13,072,358
- Average pledge: $475.30
- Median number of requests from abortion seekers: 986
- Median number of abortion seekers supported: 755
What Does the MES Data Mean?
This year’s Membership Enrollment Survey makes it clear. The need for abortion support from abortion funds will keep growing.
As the government continues to restrict people’s bodily autonomy and basic healthcare—which includes abortion access—abortion funds remain steadfast in their tireless commitment to their communities.”
Poonam Dreyfus-Pai, Interim Executive Director at NNAF
“Despite expanding restrictions, bans, and a drying up of funding, abortion funds have still expanded their capacity to greater than ever before. But this data shows us that without increased funding and organizing to expand reproductive healthcare access, the gap in abortion access will continue to grow. Abortion funds deserve deep investment so they can sustainably and holistically support abortion seekers,” Dreyfus-Pai continued.
- Download our Member Enrollment Survey infographic.
- Questions about the 2024 MES? Contact [email protected].
Get Involved
Help NNAF and our network of local abortion funds build power for our common goal: Abortion access for ALL. Donate to abortion funds and join a local fund event today.