The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade opened up a new era in funding for both sides of the abortion debate.
The legality of abortion is now up to the states. This issue, which was long debated by legislators and philanthropists but could not be changed by the Supreme Court, suddenly has real-world implications for citizens across the country. Both sides will be expected to back their words with money.
“I believe we will see funding which’s going to have a lot less performative, and a lot more realistic,” stated Leslie Lenkowsky (a professor emeritus of public affairs and Philanthropic Studies at Indiana University).
These gifts are already beginning to arrive.
Experts call this “rage giving” and donations are flooding in to non-profit groups. However, few people believe that the extra funding will be sufficient to meet the growing demand for assistance for women seeking abortions and for foster or adopted children.
According to Sarah Moeller (director of resource development), The Brigid Alliance is a New York non-profit that funds and provides logistical support for women seeking abortions. The number of donors increased more than twice to over 6,000 after the May leak of a draft Supreme Court ruling. After Roe was overturned last week, the number of donors to the NGO doubled within three days. People contributed anywhere from $5 to $50,000. Moeller stated that the donations cannot match the need.
She stated that since September, Texas had implemented a six-week ban on our services. “We have seen a 900% rise in our requests.” “We anticipate that we will continue to see surging rate after this ruling,” she said.
About 125 people receive assistance from the Brigid Alliance each month for abortion logistics and expenses. It costs about $1,200 per individual. Moeller stated that most requests are from South women, and that inflation has led to an increase in many of the cost.
Moeller stated that it was going to be difficult for everyone who requires abortion care to make it to their appointments. We’re trying to do everything we can to increase our capacity to meet growing demand. Every single person who can help makes a difference. The volume of help is staggering at this point.
Americans United for Life provides anti-abortion policy advice to legislators across the country. According to Tom Shakely (the group’s chief engagement officer), donations are flooding in from Americans of all ages. He said that the group is still “a multimillion-dollar Goliath to abortion’s multibillion dollar Goliath.”
Shakely stated that “the end of Roe V. Wade unfortunately doesn’t mean the end to Planned Parenthood nor the end of abortion.” “Abortion will continue to be a multibillion dollar business in America until we make clear that abortion is not compatible with constitutional justice.”
Brandi Collins-Calhoun is a manager at The National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy. She hopes that donors will see the next stage of the abortion debate as an opportunity to double their contributions to what she considers to be reproductive justice.
She said that there are many gaps and voids that both the state and philanthropy have created because of their practices — how they frame abortion as a right issue and not a health problem. “I believe that anyone with the capital and access should pay for abortions. It doesn’t matter if it’s the state or philanthropy, I believe everyone has a responsibility.
Aaron Dorfman, chairman and CEO of the committee, stated that philanthropy has a part to fulfill the government’s obligation to fund programs it can’t or won’t.
He said, “It’s an appropriate role for donors that step up in such a way — to both satisfy an urgent need but also to lay the foundation for a better government that meets the needs of its citizens.” Philanthropy can help in this area by supporting community organizing and advocacy work that helps to change the way government works and responds to its citizens.
Dorfman pointed out that conservative funders have supported their work for many years in this way, while liberal funders tend to be less supportive.
Collins-Calhoun stated that the result is that many pro-abortion rights groups are overwhelmed.
She said, “We are a few days away from the decision, state and local leaders have exhausted.” They have not been sustained. Many of them are struggling to find the next step because they were not funded at this time.
Both sides acknowledge that they will have to quickly adjust to this new reality.
Lenkowsky stated that “we’re at one of these crucial moments in our country” “Are you going to rise up to the challenge? Or will we continue to do business as usual?
____
The Associated Press’ coverage of philanthropy, nonprofits is supported by The Conversation US and funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. This content is the sole responsibility of The Associated Press.
