Two matching $10,000 donors will multiply impact to benefit local abortion-seekers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TAMPA, FL — November 1, 2023 — To continue supporting callers in the face of unprecedented restrictions and barriers to abortion, Tampa Bay Abortion Fund (TBAFund) today launched an end-of-year fundraising campaign, titled “The Future is in Our Hands.”
TBAFund aims to raise $55,000 by December 31, which would provide a month’s worth of funding for clinic costs and practical support. Two anonymous donors will match donations up to $10,000 each, tripling the impact of individual contributions.
“Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the implementation of Florida’s 15-week ban last July, we’ve seen a massive increase in demand for TBAFund’s help as people struggle to access and afford abortion,” says Kris Lawler, Tampa Bay Abortion Fund board president. “At the same time, abortion funds across the country, including here in Florida, have seen giving decrease dramatically since the initial wave of ‘rage donations’ right after the Dobbs decision. Many funds, including us at TBAFund, have had to temporarily close our intake lines at some point this year to raise emergency funding and ensure we could serve callers next month.”
Tampa Bay Abortion Fund has assisted Tampa Bay area residents with funding and logistical support for their abortion, including transportation, hotel stays, and other needs. So far in 2023, our call volume is nearly double that of 2022. Additionally, we’ve seen an increase in demand for funding due to abortion-seekers needing to leave Florida for care; on the flip side, we’ve also helped Southerners from states like Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Georgia access abortion in the Tampa Bay area.
From just January 1 to September 18, 2023 (when intake temporarily closed until October 16), Tampa Bay Abortion Fund:
- Funded 2,258 callers, more than double the number of callers funded in all of 2022
- Paid $537,000 to abortion clinics for our callers’ care
- Spent $56,000 on practical support, including hotels, flights, rideshares, and childcare
- Assisted 161 Floridians forced to leave Florida to access abortion because of the 15-week ban
- Helped 110 Southerners from neighboring states who came to the Tampa Bay area to access care
“I’ve been in awe of the support from our community, and the TBAFund team is regularly humbled at being entrusted with ensuring Floridians can access abortion,” Lawler says. “We’re working harder than ever to make abortion accessible to every single person who wants one, but we all need to be in this fight. Whether you can donate once, become a monthly supporter, or host a fundraising event, it all truly helps make abortion a reality for people right here in Tampa Bay.”
To give to TBAFund’s end-of-year campaign or set up a monthly contribution, visit the Donorbox campaign page. For more information about TBAFund, become a volunteer, or to get assistance with abortion funding or practical support, visit tbafund.com. Learn more about TBAFund’s upcoming events on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
ABOUT TAMPA BAY ABORTION FUND:
Tampa Bay Abortion Fund removes financial and logistical barriers to abortion access. It specifically assists pregnant people needing support seeking abortion at abortion providers in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. TBAFund also supports Tampa Bay residents receiving care at our partner clinics outside of Florida.
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CONTACT:
McKenna Kelley
mckenna@tbafund.com
If you’d like to help us continue making abortion accessible in the Tampa Bay area, visit https://donorbox.org/tbaf2023 or tbafund.com/donate. Please consider making your contribution monthly to help us cover the increased practical support costs Florida’s likely six-week ban will bring. Thank you.
Tampa Bay Abortion Fund 