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Reproductive Freedom Fund

A first-of-its-kind reproductive justice endowment in Minnesota

The Reproductive Freedom Fund will protect and resource organizations caring for communities across Minnesota, now and in perpetuity. We must make sure women have bodily autonomy under the law and in practice.

New Grants Announced Soon!

In February, WFM will announce new $50,000 grants through the Reproductive Freedom Fund to invest in programs that increase access and expand reproductive justice, which includes the human right to maintain personal bodily autonomy, have children, not have children, and parent the children we have in safe and sustainable communities, in addition to work that advances systems change for reproductive justice as it intersects with race. As part of each grant, $10,000 will be dedicated to supporting staff wellness and development.

About the Fund

With a $400,000 seed-funding gift from Midwest Legacy Fund, the Women’s Foundation is creating a fund to keep reproductive health care safe and legal and be a role model for the nation.

While Minnesota continues to have constitutional protections for safe and legal abortions, providers are experiencing a significant influx of demand from neighboring states. Health care providers need our support. The Reproductive Freedom Fund will support reproductive health efforts and clinics across the state to meet increased demands as Minnesota has become a sanctuary state for abortion care in this region and across the country.

Why We Invest in Reproductive Justice

Research on economic disparities shows that families thrive when women and girls are healthy and well. With access to safe and affordable reproductive health care services, women, girls, and gender-expansive people have better health outcomes and pathways to prosperity.

The Women’s Foundation of Minnesota invests in reproductive justice as the foundation for living a safe and healthy life, which includes the right to bodily autonomy, to have children, not have children, and parent the children we have in safe and sustainable communities. The Reproductive Freedom Fund is dedicated to making sure Minnesotans and care providers have what they need to meet the moment, to anticipate the next, and to dream about what’s possible, safe, and sustainable.

Shayla Walker

Shayla Walker
Executive Director of Our Justice

How It Works

The Reproductive Freedom Fund will direct resources for both immediate needs, as well as establish a $5 million endowment that will allow the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota to grant $300,000 annually to organizations leading reproductive care across Minnesota so this important work can continue in perpetuity. You can act now by making a planned or major gift to the Reproductive Freedom Fund, which can be directed to either immediate needs OR the endowment side of the fund. Contact Polina Montes de Oca at 612-236-1834 or polina@wfmn.org.

What the Data Show

Between 2022 and 2023, health care providers in Minnesota saw an increase of 52% more patients for abortion. This increase is largely due to patients traveling from states with restrictive laws or bans. As our Status of Women & Girls+ in Minnesota research shows, Minnesota’s decline in rural obstetric services now outstrips the national average—with 42% of Minnesota counties lacking birth services. We continue to see unconscionable outcomes for pregnancy-associated deaths for Black and Indigenous Minnesotans. As we fight to increase access, we must also eliminate the disparities in health care for all people who give birth.

Minnesota has become a refuge state for those seeking abortions care

Estimated number of abortions by state and month

CWGPP figure based on data from Society of Family Planning WeCount Report, June 2023

Graph showing how Minnesota has become a refuge state for those seeking abortions care

Percentage of inadequate prenatal care, by race and ethnicity

CWGPP figures based on Minnesota Department of Health, “2020 Minnesota Health Statistics” (2022).

Pie charts showing percentage of inadequate prenatal care, by race and ethnicity

Increased maternal mortality for Black and Indigenous women

Native Americans and Black people are more likely to die of pregnancy or childbirth-related causes.

Bar graph showing increased maternal mortality for black and native women

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