REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Summary:
NYAAF is seeking a consultant/firm to facilitate a one-day long racial justice training
which will be supplemented with technical guidance to incorporate racial justice
principles into our work. It is anticipated that the consultant/firm will provide NYAAF with
political education training, an organizational assessment, and a road map for
operationalizing racial justice within the Funds work.
Organizational Background:
The New York Abortion Access Fund supports anyone who is unable to pay fully for an
abortion and is living in or traveling to New York State by providing financial assistance
and connections to other resources.
NYAAF Statement of Values:
NYAAF believes that every person should be able to determine their own reproductive
destiny and have access to the resources, rights, and respect to be able to do so. We
believe that access to affordable abortion care is a critical component of full-spectrum
healthcare services. We are working towards a world where abortion funds are not
necessary because affordable, safe abortion care is part of mainstream medical
practice and covered fully by all types of insurance.
NYAAF believes that the people who call our hotline are experts on their own lives. We
believe that they do not owe us anything, including their stories or repayment, in order
to qualify for abortion funding. At our core, we believe that anyone seeking an abortion
has the right to access one.
We recognize that systems of oppression, including racism, sexism, classism,
homophobia, transphobia, and others contribute to systemic injustices in the healthcare
system. NYAAF is committed to recognizing and addressing these barriers to the best
of our ability.
NYAAFs belief in physical autonomy is a core link between our belief in the right to an
abortion, and our belief in the rights of transgender and gender nonconforming people
to access holistic health care and services. We recognize that people who identify as
men can become pregnant and seek abortions; we strive to meet the needs of all
people who seek our funding. We work to provide additional resources to callers
beyond the scope of abortion funding, such as referrals for Medicaid enrollment, to
demonstrate that we value the wellbeing of our callers beyond their need for an
abortion.
NYAAF also recognizes that many of our callers would choose to continue their
pregnancies if they were in different financial circumstances. As such, NYAAF does not
try to speak for the motivations of our clients by framing abortion as an issue of choice.

Reproductive freedom is a matter of social justice, not just an individual choice. We trust
and support the decision of the caller and take their lead in adopting the language they
use in talking about their pregnancy and circumstances.
NYAAF does not scrutinize how many abortions someone has had, whether
contraception was used, whether a sexual assault was reported, or any other
information that is volunteered by our client, nor do we attempt to encourage anyone to
behave in a certain way. If someone identifies a desire to learn about how to report an
assault, how to avoid pregnancy, or other concerns, NYAAF provides information and
makes appropriate referrals.
We consider these values to be at the core of our decision making as a board. They
serve as an indispensable guide to all of our fundraising, programmatic, administrative,
and communications decisions and actions. Our board, comprised of a diverse group of
individuals who are all committed volunteers, all strongly believe in the values and
mission of this organization. These shared values reflect an understanding of our work
as part of a larger social justice and reproductive justice movement to ensure the full
rights of all people. By building and supporting this movement, we strive for a world
where everyone has the right and ability to determine their own future.
Project Description:
The consultant/firm will be a dynamic facilitator with knowledge of the womens, gender
justice, and reproductive rights movements. They will have particularly deep knowledge
of racial justice and organizational development, and will work within NYAAFs
Statement of Values. The consultant/firm should have at least five years of related
experience; previous work with abortion funds preferred but not necessary. Experience
with supporting radical organizational shifts would be especially welcomed.
We intend to fill the position by mid June 2015, with the training and other deliverables
due in late June/July. The total available budget for this project is between $5000$10,000 approximately, plus travel costs. A competitive application will clearly
demonstrate value relative to the proposed budget.
Broadly, responsibilities will include:
Working with NYAAFs all-volunteer Board of Directors, coordinate all aspects of the
planning and delivery of the project.
Provide NYAAF with a one-day long political education training on key racial justice
principles.
Conduct an organizational assessment that will identify key challenges within our
current approach and provide a summary of recommendations for areas of work.
Based on the organizational assessment, develop a roadmap that will allow NYAAF
to operationalize recommendations.
This is not an exhaustive list of responsibilities and is subject to change as per NYAAFs
needs. Please note that the consultant/firm will be provided with the Boards support

throughout the project. The scope of work will be mutually agreed upon by NYAAF and
the consultant/firm.
Proposal Submission:
To be considered, please submit the following materials to Linda Saleh at
saleh.lindam@gmail.com, copying in Rye Young at ryethenewguy@gmail.com by June
12, 2015 at the latest.

Name and contact information of consultant or firm

Cover letter
Resumes of all members of the consulting team, including a statement of relevant
achievements
A description of the proposed approach
Timeline for the project
Fee schedule and budget, including any anticipated project-related costs
Two references that can speak to the consultant or firms relevant experience

* NYAAF strongly encourages women of color and consulting firms that exercise
racial justice in their hiring policies to apply.