Exploring crowdfunding campaigns for abortion services

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the use of crowdfunding to pay for abortion services for individuals in the United States.

Study design: Cross-sectional analysis of data abstracted from publicly available campaigns for abortion services on four major crowdfunding sites.

Results: Among 92 crowdfunding campaigns, the median amount requested was $610 (IQR $500-$1000), the median raised was $0 (IQR $0-$444), and 19 (21%) campaigns successfully reached their fundraising goal. Campaign success did not differ by state abortion policy, but campaigns written in third person or describing maternal/fetal diagnoses raised significantly more money.

Conclusions: Although individuals use crowdfunding to finance abortion services, the success rate is low.

Keywords: Abortion; Abortion financing; Crowdfunding; Ethics; Health policy.