Author: Allison Mitchell

DCAF: Taking abortion activism to the Internet.

Posted on by Allison Mitchell

If there’s a time to tackle the virtual frontier, it’s now.

DC Abortion Fund is a grassroots nonprofit that is 100 percent volunteer-run that provides financial assistance to low-income women who are seeking abortions but cannot afford the full cost of the procedure.  The dedicated people that keep the confidential hotline running do it on their lunch breaks and at dinnertime. 

I sit at my desk each day and have one Twitter profile up for my job and another one up for DCAF.

With a budget of under $60,000 each year, I look for every free or low-cost option out there to raise DCAF’s profile in the community.  This keeps about 95 percent of our funds free to increase women’s access to reproductive healthcare.

Social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter are growing bigger every day and are now a major vehicle for 20 and 30-something people to get news and information.  But I don’t want to stop there. These social networking sites are easy-to-use and create a space for every person to be an advocate for DCAF – through a tweet, reposting a link, joining a Cause or RSVPing to an event.

Others see what you’re doing and join in – it’s the essence of grassroots organizing.

DCAF is plugged in and communicates with everyone through our Website, our E-news, and our Facebook page – everyone except our clients.  The women we serve have cut off their cable, pawned Christmas presents and skipped their electricity bills for months to keep a roof over their heads.  Our clients are not looking for DCAF in the online world; they hear about us from friends and family, or get referred to us by our partner clinics.

In years past, DCAF advised clients to sell things – a TV, a bike – anything that could give them an extra $20.  But in these tough economic times, they sold everything they could months ago.  They are in debt.  They are often out of work.  Many have kids and are struggling to keep food on the table.  They turn to us because the idea of increasing the size of their family during this recession is simply not a reality.

To those who have access to the Internet superhighway, join our networks and follow DCAF on Twitter and Facebook.  It’s the best way for nonprofits like us to have a conversation with you. 

And become an activist – an Internet activist – and harness the power you have through your computer or Blackberry.

It has never been clearer; we are only as strong as the community that supports us.  The opportunity to plug in is there for all of us reading this blog and we must open the door. 

It’s knocking!

Visit our Website and sign-up for the newsletter.
Join our Facebook Cause (DC Abortion Fund) or Fan Page (DCAF).
Follow us on Twitter.

Allison Mitchell is a member of DC Abortion Fund’s board of directors.  DC Abortion Fund is a Grantee Partner of The Women’s Foundation.

Leadership Luncheon '07: The Power of Giving Together is catching!

Posted on by Allison Mitchell

People everywhere are joining the powerful wave of philanthropy that is The Women’s Foundation.

Our community was challenged at the 2007 Leadership Luncheon to raise $50,000 by October 24th.  And when we do, every dollar will be matched three times.

For every one dollar invested, The Women’s Foundation will receive $3 more.

You’re doing the math, I can tell.

In the end, if we meet this match, we’ll end up with at least $1 million for the women and girls of our community.

As a result of these matches, which are bringing out The Power of Giving Together, we’ve been amazed by the support we’re receiving–from near and far, small and big.

We’ve received donations from $10 to $1000. 

New supporters of The Women’s Foundation, Erin Currier and Drew Smith, gave a donation because they knew that the small amount they could give would transform into so much more.

And they’re right!

Their $50 contribution will turn into $200 if we meet our match.

Help us get there by tomorrow–October 24th!  Donate now.

Allison Mitchell on joining in the power of giving together!

Posted on by Allison Mitchell

How would you like to feel excited to go to work in the morning?

I’m so fortunate because I can answer affirmatively – knowing that every second of my day is spent to help women and girls thrive and succeed.

I am the latest addition to the staff at The Women’s Foundation and am here to serve our community of supporters.  If you need any info about us or want to pledge your financial support, call me: Allison Mitchell, the new Development & Philanthropic Services Associate.

I am excited. I am eager. And I am energized!

The Women’s Foundation brings my passion and dedication for social justice to a higher level.

The Women’s Foundation caught my eye before I came on as staff when I joined the Leadership Awards committee earlier this year.  I said ‘yes’ to the Leadership Awards and just kept saying ‘yes’ – my involvement has and will continue to grow from that seed.

In my first few days at The Women’s Foundation, I’ve had a transformation, ideas about community, philanthropy, vision – all of these have a new, invigorated meaning to me.

The power of giving together!  It’s a perfect sentiment when you stop and think about it.

The challenge I have set out for myself is to engage in all facets of The Women’s Foundation, learn about the lives we are changing every day and understand why each person involved in The Women’s Foundation is part of our community.

That’s a tall order to fill, I know, and I can’t do it alone.

My challenge to you is to say hello to me and tell me what inspires you. If you can stop by the office, my door is always open. My email is amitchell@wawf.org and my phone number is (202) 347-7737 ext. 207.