Groundswell Fund targets support to grassroots activists running effective campaigns across the country
Press Release – OAKLAND, Calif. — In the days and weeks following the election, many women’s rights supporters are making donations to big national organizations, like Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America. Since large national organizations and their affiliates will play an important role in service provision and advocacy in the days and months ahead, that is a good thing — but it will not be enough to secure reproductive freedom.
“What most people don’t know is that national reproductive rights organizations cannot protect reproductive freedom on their own,” said Groundswell Executive Director Vanessa Daniel. “It is also critically important to give to the grass-rooted organizations that make up the reproductive justice movement – the leading force engaging women of color, young women, low income women and LGBTQ people as activists on reproductive issues.”
For decades, reproductive justice organizations have been instrumental in advancing reproductive freedom at the state and local level – now the number one battleground for protecting and advancing reproductive freedom in the current political context. Yet, these organizations often fall under the radar of donors. Moreover, 85 percent of reproductive justice organizations are led by women of color, who are working in the communities most vulnerable to attack under the Trump administration and without adequate resources to challenge those attacks.
Groundswell Fund’s core mission is supporting the reproductive justice movement. The organization provides grants as well as in depth capacity building support for reproductive justice groups seeking to deepen their grassroots organizing and voter engagement skills.
Amid a seemingly endless array of organizations deserving of year-end donations, Groundswell stands out as a one-stop shop for donors to give to this movement. At seven percent, Groundswell’s overhead is one of the lowest in the field, which means more of what people give to Groundswell reaches organizations working on the ground. Groundswell also offers an interactive map and listing of organizations for donors who want to give directly to grassroots groups.
This year, Groundswell is providing $7 million to more than 50 grassroots groups working in 30 states. Current grantees include National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, New Voices for Reproductive Justice, Sylvia Rivera Law Project, Black Women for Wellness, and Young Women United, who mobilize constituencies in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida, Texas, New Mexico, California, New York, Georgia and beyond.
Among Groundswell’s capabilities is a Rapid Response Fund, able to deploy resources quickly to the field. In the past month, Groundswell was able to mobilize dollars through its Rapid Response Fund to support activists at Standing Rock, North Dakota.
“What we saw when we visited Standing Rock is that women are fueling that movement, but getting little public attention,” said Program Officer Naa Hammond. “We learned that there is a critical need for health care — especially for women.”
At the urging of leaders on the ground, Groundswell Fund was able to provide rapid response grants to both the Mni Wiconi Midwifery Clinic and the Mni Wiconi Health Clinic.
It’s investments like these, supporting WOC leadership in the communities most impacted by injustice, where donors can make a big difference.
To make a tax-deductible, end-of-year donation to the Groundswell Fund, please visit groundswellfund.org/donate.
