It’s been nearly three years since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, opening the gates for stricter abortion bans and setting new limits to healthcare access across the U.S. With the shifts to the landscape of abortion access, Crisis Pregnancy Centers have positioned themselves as go-to resources for pregnant people. But to be clear: Crisis Pregnancy Centers are never what they seem and are deceptive by design.

Crisis Pregnancy Centers take on the false perception of supportive spaces that offer “nonjudgement” help. However, they are pivotal players in the anti-abortion movement, using their proximity to wealth and power to mislead abortion seekers and block access to comprehensive reproductive care. The political power and deep funding of the global network anti-abortion movement is exemplified in the fall 2024 campaign for 40 Days of Life, which culminated in a new president pardoning two dozen anti-abortion extremists.

At the end of last year, NCRP used some of our early findings into philanthropies’ investments in Crisis Pregnancy Centers and shared what’s happening, their rise, their money, and their harmful tactics. So, we could better understand the threats to abortion access and what role the sector can play in supporting abortion seekers.

The Growth of Crisis Pregnancy Centers

Between 2018 and 2022, Crisis Pregnancy Centers experienced explosive growth. Their revenue jumped nearly 30%, adding over 130 new locations nationwide. By 2021, they collectively raked in a staggering $1.2 billion.  

To put that in perspective, $1.2 billion could pay for prenatal care, delivery, and postpartum services for nearly 69,000 uninsured pregnant people. Instead, this money goes toward spreading anti-abortion propaganda, not actual healthcare.  

Where’s the Money Going?

Considering the funding that Crisis Pregnancy Centers receive from the state and the sector, they rarely deliver actual medical care. The average cost of prenatal and postpartum services is expensive, averaging $20,000 or more, but these centers are prioritizing manipulation over meaningful support. We urge funders to imagine what resources could exist if they were redirected towards real medical care and practical support organizations. Instead, these centers are using philanthropic dollars to mislead and coerce people into continuing pregnancies.

Read the full article about crisis pregnancy centers by Brandi Collins-Calhoun at National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy.