Clay County Commission

Dan Haglund

One local organization is feeling a financial pinch and brought a first-ever plea to the Clay County Commission on Tuesday in Moorhead.
Birthright of Fargo-Moorhead, which has been in the region more than 50 years, is seeking a donation of $5,000 to keep the doors open.
Nichole Sanders, who took over as executive director last November, cited a big increase in referrals from needy families within the last couple of years as the reason for the ask.
Birthright helped 973 families in 2024, a 65 percent increase from 2022.
And all on a donation-only budget.
Sanders said any monies would be put toward diapers, wipes, infant formula, hygiene products for babies and toddlers, clothing and other supplies, which parents can pick up monthly.
The organization helps children from birth to age 5.
“Our numbers have increased since 2022 due to the increase of immigrants that are currently living in the area,” Sanders said. “Additional funding would help us keep our families coming in every day for their needs.”
Sanders said along with her organization’s financial needs increasing by 65 percent from 2022 to 2024, there has also been an increase in referrals from other partner agencies.
She also said Birthright has served 440 people in the first five months of the year. And with the office only open, according to its website, 8.5 hours per week – helping at a rate of about one client every 20 minutes.
“We average about six to eight new clients a week,” Sanders said. “And that’s usually immigrants coming in.”
Liz Bjur, Clay County Family Health supervisor, is with one of the referring agencies for Birthright.
Bjur oversees programs like family home visiting, school health, public health clinics, car seat education and daycare consultation.
“I just want to say how important it is for families when they reach a point of not knowing where to turn for formula, for diapers, for additional supports when their budgets are very, very tight to start with,” Bjur said.
Bjur said Family Service has used Birthright as a “go-to” as a very important resource in the community.
Bjur said her office refers between three and five families per week to Birthright, and the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) office refers other families, too.
Birthright is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, completely funded by donation and is heavily sponsored by local Catholic churches. It is located in the Family Service Center at 715 11th St. N. in Moorhead.
Birthright gets a majority of its funding from Giving Hearts Day, which is an annual charity event throughout the Fargo-Moorhead metro from businesses and individuals.
Commissioner Kevin Campbell, Dist. 4, suggested moving forward that Birthright could request a budget increase within Family Health’s annual budget request.
“If we start asking for financial contributions on the part of different entities in the public, I think Liz and those people should, (it should be done) based on the participation of Clay County residents,” Campbell said.
Campbell said that if taxpayer dollars from Clay County residents are going to be used, there should be a mechanism to determine what proportion of the funding is actually being used for them.
The Moorhead Birthright office gets occasional requests from outside the county and state.
Birthright’s mission statement is a belief that “It is the right of every pregnant woman to give birth, and the right of every child to be born. Birthright is here to be the friend that a pregnant woman needs as she navigates an unplanned pregnancy. Birthright is available to women for as long as they need us. We offer love, friendship, and support to women who are pregnant or think they may be pregnant. Birthright services are always free, non-judgmental, and confidential. We can also provide information, referrals, and resources to help the woman help herself. Birthright is not involved in any religious movements, political activities, or lobbying. Birthright’s focus is on loving the mother, reminding her that there is hope, and ensuring she is not alone.”
The organization helps pregnant women by offering free pregnancy tests, support, pregnancy education, assistance in finding prenatal care, financial help and legal advice. The organization also help with information about adoption services, if adoption is something a pregnant woman is considering.
To help:
Birthright of F-M
Location: 715 11th St. N., Suite 103C, Moorhead
Hours: Noon-4 p.m. Tuesdays; noon-4:30 p.m. Thursdays
Phone: 218-477-1977