Missouri Funds Anti-Abortion Group Expanding to Other States

A Missouri-based nonprofit, Coalition Life, is gaining attention for its aggressive outreach efforts outside abortion clinics in neighboring states, particularly Illinois and Kansas. The organization, which claims to be "America’s largest professional sidewalk counseling organization," has seen a significant increase in revenue, largely attributed to a generous Missouri tax credit program for pregnancy resource centers. This program, expanded in 2019, allows donors to receive tax credits worth 70% of their contributions, resulting in over $11.2 million in tax credits authorized in the past year alone. Despite Missouri not being the largest contributor to anti-abortion initiatives nationally—Texas leads with a $140 million outlay—its investment relative to state size is notable. Coalition Life's founder, Brian Westbrook, has openly discussed leveraging these tax credits to enhance fundraising efforts, particularly for operations in states where abortion remains legal. The organization’s revenue reportedly surged from $800,000 in 2019 to $1.7 million by 2022, reflecting the financial impact of the tax credit expansion. As Missouri's abortion ban took effect, Planned Parenthood began directing patients to its Fairview Heights location, which opened in 2019. Westbrook envisions further expansion into other states, emphasizing the need for support for mothers who must carry pregnancies to term. Critics argue that the use of taxpayer-funded subsidies for such initiatives was not the intended purpose of the program, raising concerns about the implications for reproductive health access in the region.