Planned Parenthood sees fundraising spike after losing big supporter
(CNN) - Planned Parenthood reported on Wednesday raising $400,000 in the 24 hours following its announcement that a major backer, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation, was ending its partnership with the group.
The major breast cancer research group cut its funds for breast screenings at Planned Parenthood amid increased scrutiny from Congress over how the prominent family planning organization provides abortion services.
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In a statement Tuesday, Planned Parenthood said the Komen Foundation had "succumbed to political pressure," and on Wednesday, a spokesperson said its supporters responded in droves.
About 6,000 donors gave online contributions starting Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday afternoon, as news of the decision made headlines.
"People respond powerfully when they see politics interfering with women's health. That's why we've seen a tremendous outpouring of support," said Andrea Hagelgans, spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood.
The Komen Foundation denied Wednesday the decision stemmed from politics and said the move had been widely mischaracterized.
Instead, the group insisted the decision was part of a "new granting strategy" that enforces "more stringent eligibility standards" for its grantees. As a result, the group said, Planned Parenthood was one organization that no longer qualified for grant money.
The statement did not elaborate on how Planned Parenthood failed to meet the foundation's new criteria.
"Some might argue that our standards are too exacting, but over the past three decades people have given us more than just their money. They have given us their trust and we take that responsibility very seriously," the group said in a statement.
Nancy Brinker, the founder and CEO of the Komen Foundation, was a political appointee of the George W. Bush Administration, in which she served as U.S. Ambassador to Hungary and as Chief of Protocol. Susan G. Komen was Brinker's sister.
In September, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce began an investigation of Planned Parenthood over the organization's "compliance with federal restrictions on funding abortions."
Planned Parenthood said funding from the Komen Foundation had largely paid for breast exams at local affiliates. In the last five years, grants from the group have directly supported 170,000 screenings, comprising about 4% of the total exams performed at Planned Parenthood health centers nationwide, according to the group.
- CNN's Ashley Killough, Mary Snow and Sara Pratley contributed to this report.
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The Komen Foundation is a private foundation. Why should anyone care who they fund and why?
But seriously, the bible thumpers have way too much clout in the US. Decisions on funding that are religious should mean no government support.
The Komen Foundation is now officially Republican. And apparently supports breast cancer prevention for only those well off enough to use a doctor rather than PP for services. So much for their commitment to eliminating breast cancer...they only want to eliminate breast cancer for the well to do.
The pro-abortion liberal crowd can't let planned parenthood go down and lose business. Even though pp still gets large amount of money from the obama administration. Hysteria and propaganda as always from pp.
I don't like abortion but I'm not a radical. What I'd like to see is women just saying NO and not having sex, period.
I've played in 10 Golf for the Cure Tournaments, but no more. I think Susan Komen, who fought so hard when she had Breast Cancer would be so ashamed of what the foundation has done to the people who need it the most. She was a fighter, but evidently the foundation is so big it's forgotten the little people who depend on the free exams they so desperatly need. I have all kinds of pink ribbons that go on my visors, but will be removed tomorrow and I won't be buying anything where the money goes to help support them. It's a sad day for women. Another step backwards.
Kommen Foundation and Modern GOP to American women: "You don't have a choice how to treat your own body, and feel free to get breast cancer. Have a good one."
We aren't all Christian, we are all Americans though. Stop this senseless attack on women's health!
The SGKF has always been heavy-handed in its marketing and exclusivity, treating other charitable organizations as if SGKF alone held the right to raise funds for breast cancer research. They are on the record as suing any group that dares use any variations of "race for the cure" in their promotional material, as if that phrase alone is what actually matters. I stopped donating to them years ago and send my charitable contributions to less egocentric organizations.
Shame on them for their indefensible treatment of Planned Parenthood.
Ditto, Mikey! There are other organizations searching for the cure.
I am a fi e year breast can er survivor. Guess my future donations will go to Planned Parenthood instead of the Komen Foundation. My daughters will no longer support them either. Both of them preferred utilizing Planned Parenthod for exams and birth control during college. We all feel it is an excellent organization.
SINK the PINK!!!
Now that a failed Republican candidate for state office was appointed as an executive VP of the Susan B. Komen foundation, I believe it is time for the Senate to open an investigation on them and their funding practices.
alrighty then...ladies you have a choice now...not so sure about later. I'd say that every one of the GOP/Tea Potty candidates would agree, Roe v. Wade needs to be overturned. Most intelligent women will know what to do given those conditions....Vote out anything or anyone that even remotely looks Republican
I'm confused–I thought the Komen Foundation was started to fundraise for breast cancer, so I'm not understanding why the Komen Foundation would donate their money to Planned Parenthood. Not that I'm necessarily against Planned Parenthood, but if I wanted my money to go to them, I would donate to them! Which brings me to another point...almost every business nowdays says they donate "x" amount to cancer research, in addition to all the separate, individual fundraisers that are held alon almost a daily basis somewhere in this country. Where is all this money really going???
Planned Parenthood provides breast cancer screening for women who otherwise are not likely to afford the service. More than 90% of their services are for preventing cancer and other serious diseases. I've never participated in a Komen fundraising event but have supported people in my office and neighborhood who do, not direct contributions but numerous contributions through these events. In the future, I will contribute directly to Planned Parenthood instead to try to help them make up for this huge loss. Many of my friends who have participated have said they will not in the future because of this and will contribute to Planned Parenthood instead. Perhaps it will help to at least make up some of the loss that will result in a lack of screening for many lower income women who are now victims of this poisonous political climate and the judgmental attempt to dictate personal choices to those who have so few resources and almost no power of their own.
Komen doesn't donate to organizations that are under investigation.
Well, we just dropped the Susan B. Komen Foundation, and will apply that money to Planned Parenthood.
I agree. I for one will find alternative organizations to contribute my dollars to that truly have women's health at the forefront of their mission. It is clear the Komen Foundation does not.
This is nothing but conservatives brow breating into stopping support for Planned Parenthood. This group does so more than just abortion. I don't see why they are doing this. It seems that conservatives don't like women being healthy unless they are pregnant and going to carry it to term.
The Politics of breast cancer. Despicable.
– Planned Parenthood reported on Wednesday raising $400,000 – Good!!!!
@Mikey – I have already done the same. I had a Komen event scheduled this weekend for participation. I have cancelled. It's a shame, but I will not be sending them another dime. Planned Parenthood will be getting those dollars this year... and I've written Komen to let them know it.
Komen will get no more money or time from me or anyone I know.