Pregnancy Resource Centers (PRCs) truly are the hands and feet of the pro-life movement. While we, as a public policy organization, seek to extend legal protections to all human life, faithful servants stand in the gap at PRCs to provide the help and services that young moms in unplanned pregnancies need to protect their child’s life.
PRCs serve nearly 4 million people a year providing over $450 million in free goods and services. Most of these centers rely entirely on donations.
While some states (and the federal government) line the pockets of Planned Parenthood, others have sought to support the life-saving work of PRCs. Most PRCs are hesitant to accept public funding as it could rope them into prohibitory regulations and threaten their often faith-based mission, but there are other ways states have supported their work in meaningful ways.
State Tax Credit
Tax credits differ from charitable tax deductions because a credit reduces a taxpayer’s tax liabilities, while a deduction only reduces the amount of taxable income. For example, if a taxpayer in a 25% tax bracket makes a $1,000 charitable donation, a $1,000 deduction would reduce their taxable income by $1,000 and result in approximately $250 in tax savings. A $1,000 tax credit, on the other hand, would reduce their actual tax bill by the full $1,000. This makes a tax credit a much stronger incentive for individuals and businesses to direct private dollars toward pregnancy resource centers (PRCs).
A tax-credit model can also make each dollar more valuable to the PRCs themselves. With direct state funding, a portion of the money will be absorbed by the administrative costs of the government program before it ever reaches the organization. A tax credit allows the state to incentivize the same investment without first collecting and redistributing those dollars through the state. More of the money can go directly from the taxpayer to the PRC and ultimately toward serving women and children.
But more importantly, this approach can help avoid the legal and regulatory liabilities that may accompany direct government funding. Rather than making PRCs recipients of a state-run program, potentially subjecting them to additional government requirements, PRCs maintain their independence, and taxpayers have the autonomy to direct their funds as they see fit.
In 2023, Kansas passed the Pregnancy Resource Act Tax Credit that gave taxpayers a 70% credit based on their donation to an approved pregnancy center or maternity home. According to Americans United for Life, one PRC in the state saw contributions increase from $877,000 to $1.6 million in one year. The Executive Director said the credit “freed us to do this extra work, this very tangible expression of Christ-like compassion,” allowing them to bring on a licensed social worker and meet over $200,000 of women’s immediate needs like rent, food, and car repairs.
Increasing Awareness
It’s become difficult to go to a concert, scroll social media, or even drive down the freeway without coming across an advertisement for an abortion clinic like Planned Parenthood. With over $800M in government grants, it’s no surprise they have a marketing budget to cover those costs. PRCs, on the other hand, must maximize every donation dollar to meet their clients’ needs. For many of them, awareness is their biggest hurdle and another opportunity for aid from the state.
Oklahoma, North Dakota, South Dakota, Florida, and Mississippi all have state-run, life-affirming websites where expectant mothers can find their local PRC, adoption information, housing resources, and more. This is part of CWALAC’s longstanding Life.gov initiative, originally launched to stand with moms after the reversal of Roe v. Wade.
This past legislative session, Louisiana passed a CWALAC-backed bill requiring pregnancy resource information to be posted in school clinics. The text of the sign reads, “Pregnant? Help Is Available for You and Your Baby!” with pregnancy information and other resources printed on the sign.
Legal Guarantees
Because of their commitment to life, PRCs have been the target of many arrows, suffering violent attacks from pro-abortionists, as well as harassment from the anti-life states. For example, Illinois tried to force PRCs to refer women for abortions, New York required them to provide abortion disclosures, and New Jersey’s Attorney General subpoenaed PRC donor information. To defend them against these kinds of future attacks, the Kansas State Legislature passed CWALAC-backed Pregnancy Center Autonomy and Rights of Expression Act, which clarified their rights under state law. Governor Laura Kelly (D-Kansas) vetoed the bill, but the legislature overrode it and allowed the protections to ultimately pass.
The pro-life movement has fought hard to protect life in law, and we have seen incredible victories in recent years. But protecting life does not end with a law. Women facing unexpected pregnancies need to know that they will not be left to face the challenges ahead alone. PRCs are meeting those women where they are, offering the practical support, compassion, and resources they need to choose life. We must stand with these organizations, strengthen their ability to serve, and ensure they remain free to carry out their life-affirming mission.
