The Chicago Abortion Fund (CAF) was founded in October, 1985 by health care providers and members of Chicago’s pro-choice community to help low-income women gain access to safe, affordable abortion services.
CAF provides low-income women with reduced-fee referrals, direct financial assistance, and general information about safe, legal abortion services.
Through its education/advocacy component, CAF also works to increase public awareness about the urgent need for government funding of abortions as a part of the full spectrum of reproductive health services. In October, 1996, CAF formed African American Women Evolving (AAWE), a grassroots women of color initiative comprised of Black women from across the Chicago land area to look at other issues that impact Black women’s ability to have full reproductive autonomy.
In June, 2002, CAF released its second bi-annual policy report, "With Liberty & Justice for Some". This report, compiled from CAF’s client statistical data examines the availability of family planning and abortions services in Chicago and Illinois and makes a comparative analysis of the accessibility of services offered nationally and internationally.
CAF's primary focus is to help women in their second trimester. Information and referrals to safe clinics are made for women in their first trimester.
The cost of a second trimester abortion ranges from $250 - $2,000. The average CAF grant for FY07 was $309. In an effort to further reduce the cost, CAF negotiates lower fees with clinics. CAF then works with the woman to help her identify additional sources of funding. There are some instances in which larger grants are provided. Recipients of larger grants include incest and rape survivors, teenage girls or women needing abortions due to a medical illness.
In fiscal year 2007, CAF helped 159 women, up 19% from last year. CAF made grants totaling approximately $50,162.
Approximately twenty-three percent of CAF’s clients were teenagers. Eighty percent of our clients were African-American.
The majority of the women who call CAF live in the greater Chicago area. As the only independent funding source in this Midwest region, calls are received from downstate Illinois, St. Louis, Missouri, Indiana and Iowa.
CAF is comprised of a Board of Directors, an Executive Director, a Client Services Coordinator and Advocacy Services Coordinator.
