Description: The National Organization for Women (NOW) is the largest U.S. feminist advocacy organization, founded in 1966 to advance full economic, political, and social equality for women. NOW organizes at national, state, and local levels to press for legal protections, public policy changes, and cultural shifts that expand reproductive freedom, workplace and pay equity, an end to gender-based violence, LGBTQ+ equality, and racial and economic justice. Type: Non-profit advocacy organization (national membership organization; operates as a 501(c)(4) advocacy group with an affiliated 501(c)(3) education arm) Policies: Supports legislative and regulatory measures on reproductive rights and access to abortion and contraception, equal pay and workplace equity, passage and enforcement of anti-discrimination and civil-rights laws (including the Equal Rights Amendment), protections against gender-based violence, paid family and medical leave, affordable childcare and healthcare access, and LGBTQ+ and racial justice reforms. Funding: Primarily supported by membership dues and individual donations, supplemented by fundraising events, small grants, and contributions to its allied foundation for charitable activities. Affiliates: Affiliated state and local NOW chapters and the National Organization for Women Foundation (its charitable arm); frequent allied partners and collaborators include Planned Parenthood, ACLU, NARAL Pro-Choice America, and prominent feminist leaders and former NOW presidents (e.g., Betty Friedan historically and subsequent national presidents).
