Chicago Abortion Fund records, 1973-2005

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 and 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 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.

CAF's mission statement: "The Chicago Abortion Fund (CAF) fights to overturn economic barriers to reproductive choice. Through direct service and education/advocacy, CAF assists low-income women in obtaining safe abortion services by providing clinic referrals, negotiated discounts and financial assistance. While we are unable to directly assist all the women in need, we work to extend choice to all low-income women by making the issue of economic access a priority on the agenda of policy makers."

(from Chicago Abortion Fund's website)

The records of the Chicago Abortion Fund document the administrative history of the non-profit organization. Series I includes basic organization information, like founding documents, reports, and correspondence. Series II includes information related to the Board of Trustees, including minutes, policies, and committees. Series III consists of official published materials. Series IV is fundraising, and includes events, foundations, and donors. Series V is projects, and has information related to various projects that the CAF has undertaken, including Cook County Hospital programs, referral clinics, surveys, clinic evaluations, policy reform, amicus brief, and other projects. Series VI is operations, and includes administrative information on building, insurance, and personnel.

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Chicago Abortion Fund records, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Illinois at Chicago

• NamesChicago Abortion Fund. -- Archives
• Subject
  • Abortion.
  • Chicago Community Organizations.
  • Midwest Women's History.
  • Pro-choice movement.
• Geographic CoverageIllinois.