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Non-profit

National Abortion Federation (NAF)

Website:

prochoice.org
Location:

WASHINGTON, DC
Tax ID:

43-1097957
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(3)

Budget (2019):

Revenue: $7,106,204
Expenses: $8,243,727
Assets: $7,078,600
Type:

Abortion Advocacy
Latest Tax Filing:

2020 Form 990
Founded:

1977

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The National Abortion Federation is the official professional association of abortion practitioners. Its membership is mostly American, though it has membership in Colombia and Mexico. The federation claims that over half of women in the United States who get an abortion go through a federation member. 1

Mission and History

The National Abortion Federation was created in 1977 when the National Association of Abortion Facilities and the National Abortion Council merged. Since that time, it has published ethical standards for abortionists; advocated for laws which restrict the free speech of abortion opponents, most notably the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act; and supported the creation of the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Task Force on Violence Against Reproductive Health Care Providers during the Clinton administration. 2

The federation enforces standards of care and quality guidelines with its members, of which it claims to have 400. Its institutional ethics include the principle that women are not the only people who get pregnant, and thus not the only people who should have access to abortion. 3

The federation was an early promoter of the abortion-inducing drug mifepristone, or RU-486. 4 It includes mifepristone in many of its trainings so that abortionists have as many tools as possible to conduct abortions. 5 6

In addition to representing the interests of abortion providers, the federation has a hotline for pregnant women to call if they are seeking an abortion. 7

Public Policy

The National Abortion Federation supports eliminating all potential barriers to abortion. This includes requiring insurance companies to cover abortions until the end of a pregnancy. 8  The federation supports full public funding of abortion throughout pregnancy and accuses pro-life pregnancy resource centers of lying to women who seek pregnancy assistance at those centers. 9

The federation opposes regulations that are meant to increase abortion centers’ quality of care, such as medical surgical standards enacted in Texas and overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2016. 10 It supported a law enacted by California and overturned by the Supreme Court in 2018 that required pro-life centers to post signage informing women of state-funded abortion resources. 11 12

The federation opposed the Supreme Court’s unanimous 2014 decision that declared a Massachusetts “buffer zone” law unconstitutional. 13 The law stated that peaceful pro-life protesters could not stand on public property within 35 feet of an abortion center. 14

Threats Against Abortion Centers

The National Abortion Federation’s reports on threats and other actions against abortion centers are widely cited by media and politicians. However, it puts bomb threats, alleged “hate crime” calls and e-mails, and legal pro-life picketing in the same broad category of “violence and disruption.” Many of its allegations are based solely upon claims by abortion center employees as opposed to police reports and other credible sources of complaint and reporting. 15

In the 1980s and 1990s, a small number of extremists perpetrated deadly attacks on abortionists and bombings to stop abortion centers. 16 The federation used these actions to successfully lobby for two federal responses, the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act and the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Task Force on Violence Against Reproductive Health Care Providers.

The task force website, which as of May 2022 was last updated in 2015, cites several arson attacks and threats made by activists attempting to close abortion centers. The website also provides security and anonymity tips for abortion center employees. 17

Congress’ passage of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act made it illegal to block or attempt to block people’s legal access to abortion centers and applies similar statutes to places of religious worship. 18

Controversies

Kermit Gosnell Membership Application

In 2009, Philadelphia abortionist Kermit Gosnell, who was later tried and convicted of murder and other offenses related to his operation, 19 applied for National Abortion Federation membership. A federation evaluator reviewed Gosnell’s practices on-site and denied membership because his facility did not meet the Federation’s standards. In its report, the Investigating Grand Jury inquiring into Gosnell’s operation questioned why the Federation evaluator did not report Gosnell to authorities. 20 21

Shortly after NAF rejected his application, Gosnell’s operation was raided by authorities. 22

David Daleiden Video Lawsuit

The National Abortion Federation sued pro-life undercover journalist David Daleiden and others involved with the Center for Medical Progress’ 2015 investigation that alleged illegal fetal body part sales by abortion industry entities. The videos were released after Daleiden and others in his organization were invited to two federation conferences under false pretenses. 23

In 2018, the federation dropped seven of its 11 claims against Daleiden. 24

Unionization

The National Abortion Federation initially opposed employees’ efforts to unionize. After employees went to the National Labor Relations Board, the federation increased salaries and raises for the relevant employees. 25

Leadership

The National Abortion Federation’s past and present senior staff includes several medical professionals as well as longtime abortion advocates. 26

Vicky Saporta was president and CEO of the National Abortion Federation for 23 years. She was responsible for a number of its public policy advances and for its international expansion. 27

Katherine Hancock Ragsdale, a lesbian Episcopalian priest, formerly worked as president and CEO of the National Abortion Federation. A longtime abortion supporter, she told Congress in 2012 that she helped a 15-year-old girl get an abortion and that she would break state laws to ensure that girls and women could get abortions. 28 She was also on the national board of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, including nine years as chair, and has been on the NARAL Pro-Choice America board. 29

Talcott Camp joined the Federation as chief legal and strategy officer in 2020. She previously served for 25 years as deputy director of the ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project, where she represented the National Abortion Federation and similar organizations in litigation supporting abortion access. 30 31

Melissa Fowler has been with the federation since 2006 and was promoted to the position of chief program officer in 2021. Fowler previously worked for Planned Parenthood and was a board member of Nursing Students for Sexual and Reproductive Health from 2013 to 2017. 32 33

Financials

The National Abortion Federation’s revenue was more than $7.1 million in 2019, compared to nearly $8.3 million in spending. 34 Its revenue has fluctuated wildly year to year, from a low of under $2.3 million in 2012 to over $11.6 million in 2016. 35

References

  1.  “History.” National Abortion Federation. Accessed May 2, 2022. https://prochoice.org/about-naf/history/
  2. “History.” National Abortion Federation. Accessed May 2, 2022. https://prochoice.org/about-naf/history/
  3. 2018 Clinical Policy Guidelines for Abortion Care. National Abortion Federation. Accessed May 2, 2022. https://prochoice.org/resources/clinical-policy-guidelines/
  4. National Abortion Federation. “Must-Read Pro-Choice News.” April 17, 2006. Accessed May 23, 2022. https://prochoice.org/must-read-pro-choice-news/
  5. National Abortion Federation. “Early medical abortion with mifepristone and other agents: Overview and protocol recommendations.” 2002. Accessed May 23, 2022. https://www.prochoice.org/pubs_research/publications/downloads/professional_education/medical_abortion/early_med_abortion_overview_2002.pdf
  6. National Abortion Federation Canada. “Medication Abortion Training for Primary Care Providers.” Accessed May 23, 2022. https://nafcanada.org/medication-abortion-virtual-course/
  7.  National Abortion Federation. “NAF Hotline.” Accessed May 23, 2022. https://prochoice.org/patients/naf-hotline/
  8. “NAF revised ethics statement.” National Abortion Federation. December 2018. Accessed May 2, 2022. https://members.prochoice.org/iweb/upload/naf%20ethics%20statement%202019.pdf
  9. “Abortion: What To Expect.” National Abortion Federation. Accessed May 2, 2022. https://prochoice.org/education-and-advocacy/about-abortion/abortion-facts/
  10. “Reactions to the Supreme Court Ruling on Texas’ Abortion Law.” New York Times. June 27, 2016. Accessed May 2, 2022. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/28/us/reactions-to-the-supreme-court-ruling-on-texas-abortion-law.html
  11. Glessner, Thomas. “Pro-Life Pregnancy Centers Should Not Have to Advertise Abortion.” National Review. National Review, March 20, 2018. https://www.nationalreview.com/2018/03/supreme-court-case-first-amendment-pro-life-pregnancy-clinics/.
  12. Fowler, Melissa. “SCOTUS allows fake women’s health centers to continue deceptive practices.” National Abortion Federation. June 26, 2018. Accessed May 2, 2022. https://prochoice.org/scotus-allows-fake-womens-health-centers-continue/
  13. Saporta, Vicki. “Supreme Court strikes down Massachusetts buffer zone law.” National Abortion Federation. June 26, 2014. Accessed May 2, 2022. https://prochoice.org/supreme-court-strikes-down-massachusetts-buffer-zone-law/
  14. Chappell, Bill. “Supreme Court strikes down abortion clinic ‘buffer zone’ law.” NPR. June 26, 2014. Accessed May 2, 2022. https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2014/06/26/325806464/states-cant-mandate-buffer-zones-around-abortion-clinics-high-court-says
  15. “2018 Violence and Disruption Statistics.” National Abortion Federation. Accessed May 2, 2022. https://5aa1b2xfmfh2e2mk03kk8rsx-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018-Anti-Abortion-Violence-and-Disruption.pdf
  16. “2018 Violence and Disruption Statistics.” National Abortion Federation. Accessed May 2, 2022. https://5aa1b2xfmfh2e2mk03kk8rsx-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018-Anti-Abortion-Violence-and-Disruption.pdf
  17. [1] “National Task Force on Violence Against Health Care Providers.” United States Department of Justice. August 6, 2015. Accessed May 2, 2022. https://www.justice.gov/crt/national-task-force-violence-against-health-care-providers-0
  18. “Freedom of Access to Clinics Act.” United States Department of Justice. August 6, 2015. Accessed May 2, 2022. https://www.justice.gov/crt/freedom-access-clinics-act
  19. “Philadelphia abortion doctor sentenced to three life terms in jail.” The Guardian. May 15, 2013. Accessed May 2, 2022. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/may/15/philadelphia-abortion-doctor-kermit-gosnell-sentenced-life
  20. Williams, R. Seth. Report of the Grand Jury: In the Court of Common Pleas First Judicial District of Pennsylvania Criminal Trial Division; In Re County Investigating Grand Jury XXIII. Misc. No. 0009901-2008. Accessed May 2, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20130513175245/http://www.phila.gov/districtattorney/pdfs/grandjurywomensmedical.pdf
  21. Saletan, William. “Kermit Gosnell and Abortion Clinic Regulation: Did pro-Choice Politics Protect Him?” Slate Magazine. Slate, February 16, 2011. https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2011/02/kermit-gosnell-and-abortion-clinic-regulation-did-pro-choice-politics-protect-him.html.
  22. Franke-Ruta, Garance. “Kermit Gosnell and the Anti-Abortion Movement’s Intelligence Failure.” The Atlantic. Atlantic Media Company, July 17, 2013. https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/04/kermit-gosnell-and-the-anti-abortion-movements-intelligence-failure/275011/.
  23. “CMP statement on Planned Parenthood-allied National Abortion Federation’s attack on free speech.” Center for Medical Progress. Accessed May 3, 2022. http://www.centerformedicalprogress.org/2015/12/cmp-statement-on-planned-parenthood-allied-national-abortion-federations-attack-on-free-speech/
  24. Gryboski, Michael. “Pro-choice group dismisses most charges against Dave Daleiden over Pro-life undercover activism.” The Christian Post. July 25, 2018. Accessed May 3, 2022. https://www.christianpost.com/news/pro-choice-group-dismisses-most-charges-against-dave-daleiden-over-pro-life-undercover-activism.html
  25.  Redden, Molly. “National Abortion Federation fought a union drive for months. Then its board got a letter.” HuffPost. July 12, 2018. Updated July 15, 2018. Accessed May 3, 2022. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/national-abortion-federation-fought-union-drive_n_5b478219e4b0e7c958f910d6
  26.  “About NAF.” National Abortion Federation. Accessed May 3, 2022.https://prochoice.org/about-naf/
  27. “Longtime NAF President & CEO announces plans to retire in June 2019.” National Abortion Federation. May 15, 2018. Accessed May 3, 2022.https://prochoice.org/vicki-saporta-to-retire/
  28. Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act. Hearing Before the Subcommittee on the Constitution of the Committee on the Judiciary House of Representatives One Hundred Twelfth Congress Second Session on H.R. 2299. March 8, 2012. Serial No. 112-87. Accessed May 3, 2022. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CHRG-112hhrg73214/html/CHRG-112hhrg73214.htm
  29. [1] “NAF Board of Directors Announces Departure of The Very Reverend Katherine Ragsdale.” National Abortion Federation. October 14, 2021. Accessed May 4, 2022. https://prochoice.org/naf-board-of-directors-announces-departure-of-the-very-reverend-katherine-ragsdale/
  30. “Talcott Camp, JD.” National Abortion Federation. Accessed May 4, 2022. https://prochoice.org/staff/talcott-camp/
  31. “Leading Litigator Talcott Camp Joins NAF as Chief Legal and Strategy Officer.” National Abortion Federation. February 25, 2020. Accessed May 4, 2022. https://prochoice.org/leading-litigator-talcott-camp-joins-naf-as-chief-legal-and-strategy-officer/
  32. “Melissa Fowler.” National Abortion Federation. Accessed May 4, 2022. https://prochoice.org/staff/melissa-fowler/
  33. “Melissa Fowler.” LinkedIn. Accessed May 4, 2022. https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissalfowler
  34. National Abortion Federation. Return of an Organization Exempt From Income. Tax (Form 990). 2019. Accessed May 4, 2022. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/display_990/431097957/02_2021_prefixes_41-45%2F431097957_201912_990_2021022617764697
  35. National Abortion Federation. Return of an Organization Exempt From Income. Tax (Form 990). 2016-2019.  https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/431097957
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: December - November
  • Tax Exemption Received: May 1, 1977

    • Available Filings

    Period Form Type Total revenue Total functional expenses Total assets (EOY) Total liabilities (EOY) Unrelated business income? Total contributions Program service revenue Investment income Comp. of current officers, directors, etc. Form 990
    2019 Dec Form 990 $7,106,204 $8,243,727 $7,078,600 $1,383,435 N $6,165,310 $854,901 $58,590 $535,050 PDF
    2018 Dec Form 990 $3,994,667 $7,952,689 $8,633,075 $1,375,982 Y $3,075,739 $868,807 $27,900 $518,176 PDF
    2017 Dec Form 990 $5,205,679 $7,494,407 $12,647,716 $1,432,601 N $4,037,405 $1,117,714 $13,447 $365,663 PDF
    2016 Dec Form 990 $11,662,529 $5,236,777 $15,281,201 $1,292,287 N $10,900,349 $732,689 $8,394 $349,597 PDF
    2015 Dec Form 990 $6,753,264 $3,471,252 $8,308,074 $744,912 N $5,966,904 $769,171 $8,482 $343,172 PDF
    2014 Dec Form 990 $2,350,313 $3,304,607 $4,934,694 $653,544 N $1,382,421 $958,995 $6,127 $296,164 PDF
    2013 Dec Form 990 $5,527,959 $2,879,877 $7,080,992 $645,595 N $4,733,464 $765,683 $6,066 $267,712 PDF
    2012 Dec Form 990 $2,272,164 $2,903,971 $4,486,741 $699,426 N $1,516,427 $723,067 $11,814 $257,836 PDF
    2011 Dec Form 990 $3,321,082 $2,722,202 $5,079,880 $660,758 N $2,528,650 $725,186 $11,757 $382,949 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    National Abortion Federation (NAF)

    1090 VERMONT AVE NW, Suite 1000
    WASHINGTON, DC 20005-4905