Our Mission

The Iowa Abortion Access Fund is dedicated to the belief that the freedom to choose legal abortion should be available to all individuals. IAAF is committed to providing financial assistance and access to abortion services for people in Iowa, including the Quad Cities area, who lack the resources to pay for an abortion.

History

The Iowa Abortion Access Fund was founded in 1978 and raises money for residents throughout the state of Iowa and the Quad Cities. Like many abortion funds, the Iowa Abortion Access Fund began as a clergy consultation service in the days before Roe v. Wade, when abortion was illegal, referring patients to clinics in other states and helping them make connections. Although no longer affiliated with specific liberal churches, when abortion became a legal option, IAAF continued to help anyone who needed financial assistance.  In January of 2010, we changed our name from IMAF (Iowa Medical Aid Fund) to IAAF to better reflect our commitment to work to normalize the term abortion and more clearly identify our service to people in need of abortion services.  We are dedicated to the belief that the freedom to choose legal abortion should be available to all. IAAF is affiliated with the National Network of Abortion Funds (NNAF).

IAAF has created a partnership between clinics and doctors and other health care providers. Patients are referred to IAAF by abortion clinics when the person is approved for a procedure, but may lack the financial resources for service. IAAF helps pay for abortions for residents of Iowa as well as residents of Rock Island, Henry, and Mercer counties in Illinois.  The IAAF telephone counselor discretely talks to each person about their financial resources and need for funds. Because of the obvious need, IAAF makes grants only to those with the greatest need and only for a portion of the cost. If the patient is qualified for a grant, IAAF sends payment in their name to the chosen clinic. Every client is reminded that IAAF works best when assistance is paid forward. We encourage (but do NOT require) to pay the money back, even in small amounts over a long period of time.  

Importance

Iowa’s near-total abortion ban went into effect in July 2024. In Iowa, abortion is legal up until “cardiac activity” is detected, which could be anywhere from 4-8 weeks. Use of the term heartbeat is medically inaccurate: There is no heartbeat at this stage of an embryo’s development, but at around six weeks’ gestation, ultrasounds may detect electric impulses from cardiac cells.

As a result of the ban, IAAF has partnered with the Chicago Access Fund to continue to provide help for Iowans who seek abortions out of state. The Iowa Abortion Access Fund remains committed to helping Iowans access abortion care. And we refuse to back down on our advocacy for reproductive justice and care. We believe in a vision of Iowa where all people, women, marginalized people, poor people, and LGBTQ+ people, will all be able to access the life-saving care they need without shame. 

We are still fundraising and advocating for reproductive justice and working to ensure Iowans have access to safe abortions for those who need them. It is more important now than ever to support the Iowa Abortion Access Fund as we continue to provide abortion care to Iowans in need. Every year, IAAF helps hundreds of Iowans who have made the difficult decision to have an abortion. They represent all racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds. Some are married, some are single. Their ages range from 11 to 45. Their situations are desperate.

• IAAF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
• We operate as a volunteer-run, mutual aid. We have one employee and nearly 100% of our donations go directly to providing grants for Iowans who need abortions.