We are excited to announce that we have secured modest funding to provide a limited number of grants to U.S. abortion providers to strengthen their security posture through new equipment, improvements, or short-term security services. These Christopher Quinn Clinic Defense Grants, named in honor of NAF’s first Security Director, who passed away in 2023, will enable members to purchase security equipment or services or implement other security measures that they could not afford on their own. We anticipate awarding 20-30 grants of $5,000 - $10,000 through this funding in the fall of 2025.
Christopher Quinn first helped secure NAF meetings in the mid-90s and joined NAF in 1998 as our first Security Director. In that role, he helped establish our flagship Security program and provided emergency support at a time when our community was experiencing major acts of violence. During his 14 years as our Security Director, Chris was on call 24/7 and was the first person many of our members contacted when they experienced an act of violence—or even when they just had a question or concern. He had a way of making people feel safe, protected, and prioritized no matter what they were facing.
Chris worked on-site with members who survived arsons, attempted bombings, large-scale anti-abortion events, and even helped protect clinic staff and comfort our community following the murders of two providers. He approached his work with professionalism, warmth, and genuine love for our members. Despite the difficulty of his work, he found a way to bring humor and comfort in a way that our members particularly appreciated. Although he was often working behind the scenes, his deep security expertise, problem-solving skills, and devotion to our members touched so many people. Chris cared deeply about our mission and he continued to follow and support our members and our work after he left our organization. Outside of NAF, Chris was a devoted father of three and an animal lover.
During his time leading our Security program, Chris conducted numerous clinic security assessments and often made recommendations to our members about equipment they should purchase or enhancements they should make to improve their security. The Christopher Quinn Clinic Defense Grants will help our members make the kind of necessary upgrades and improvements that Chris often recommended they make.
Honoring NAF's First Security Director
Christopher Quinn
April 25, 1971 – January 17, 2023
Christopher Quinn Clinic Defense Grants will be awarded to NAF member abortion practices in the U.S. who demonstrate a security need. To be eligible, your practice must be in good standing, with your dues paid and in compliance with all NAF policies. Groups of commonly-owned facilities are only eligible for a single grant at this time to ensure we can help as many members as possible.
The Christopher Quinn Clinic Defense Grants can be used to cover new security equipment, security enhancements, and services such as:
- Security equipment (cameras, alarms, panic buttons, etc.)
- Window protection
- Signage
- Fencing/borders
- Contracted security personnel needed for a specific event/finite time period
- IT/information privacy services for a finite time period (ex. Kanary, DeleteMe, Personified)
These grants cannot be used for:
- Staff salaries or bonuses
If we receive more requests than we can accommodate with this funding, the NAF Security team will prioritize and select grantees based on various criteria, including:
- Current climate of violence and disruption at the clinic and/or the area based on up-to-date compliance with security statistics reporting.
- Level of clinic’s current security/safety readiness to include age or lack of security equipment (cameras, emergency communications systems, security alarms, external lighting, access control systems/devices such as biometric/fob locks, secured vestibules, enclosed reception areas, remote controlled magnetic locks, etc.).
- Security-related incidents targeting the practice, including, but not limited to:
- FACE Act violations (obstructive acts like threats of harm, vandalism, blockades/invasions, etc.)
- Escalation in targeted harassment and/or protester activity
- Security-related incidents involving patients, companions, or associates
- Availability or receipt of other funding (state grants, etc.)
The deadline to submit your application is Friday, August 29, 2025. We will notify grantees and remit payments at the end of September.
If selected, grantees will agree to provide a narrative of how the improvements enhanced safety and security for the facility. These de-identified details will be shared with the donors who provided funds for these grants.
Grants cannot be held for future use, and all funds should be spent by December 31, 2025.
July 21: Grant applications open. Apply here
August 29: Deadline to submit a grant application
September: Grantees will be notified and payments will be made
December 31: Deadline to spend funds
You can donate to the Christopher Quinn Clinic Defense Grants here. If you would like to speak to someone about making a donation to support NAF's Security Program, please contact us at (202) 918-7845 or [email protected].