Who Is Funding Anti-Abortion Laws?

In recent years, corporations have been under scrutiny for their role in funding anti-abortion politicians and legislation. Despite many companies publicly championing women's rights and equality, it has been revealed that several major corporations have donated significant sums of money to support lawmakers and committees who have passed restrictive state-level abortion bans. This has led to criticism and calls for these companies to divest from legislators pushing laws that curtail women's rights.

A 2024 study by the Sustainable Investments Institute found that Fortune 250 companies spent over $515 million during the 2020-22 election cycles, with 57% of that amount going to candidates and parties opposed to reproductive health rights. Similarly, a Popular Information analysis revealed that 13 major corporations spent $15.2 million supporting anti-abortion politicians since 2016. These companies include Amazon, AT&T, Citi, Coca-Cola, CVS, Google, and Walmart.

Additionally, an investigation by Sludge identified 182 funders who contributed over $9.1 million to organizations directly involved in advocating for and lobbying for abortion bans in nine states. Among the funders were large corporations such as General Electric, Pfizer, and Fidelity Investments. These findings highlight the discrepancy between corporate public image and their political spending, which often undermines shareholder value and erodes stakeholder trust.

Corporate donations to anti-abortion political committees

A report by OpenSecrets revealed that corporate contributions to three Republican political groups—the Republican State Leadership Committee, the Republican Attorneys General Association, and the Republican Governors Association—have been instrumental in electing governors and attorneys general who challenged Roe v. Wade and supported laws restricting abortion access. These contributions totalled over $1.6 million, with 15 companies committing to cover travel expenses for employees seeking reproductive care.

Additionally, companies such as Comcast, Pfizer, Microsoft, Lyft, and Uber have contributed significant sums to these groups, with Comcast being the biggest contributor, giving millions of dollars since 2018. These companies have a history of donating to both Democratic and Republican groups, but their donations to anti-abortion committees have come under scrutiny as they publicly support gender equality and women's rights.

A Sludge investigation identified 182 funders behind 20 organizations directly involved in advocating for and passing state abortion bans in 2019. The investigation revealed that major donor-advised funds, family foundations, and corporate charities contributed over $9.1 million to these groups. Notable funders include the National Christian Foundation, the corporate foundations of General Electric and Pfizer, and the donor-advised fund linked to Fidelity Investments.

Furthermore, an analysis by Popular Information found that 13 major corporations spent $15.2 million supporting anti-abortion politicians since 2016. These companies include Amazon, AT&T, Citi, Coca-Cola, CVS, Google, Walmart, Verizon, General Motors, Comcast, Walgreens, Wells Fargo, and T-Mobile. Many of these companies publicly promote gender equality and women's empowerment while simultaneously funding politicians and committees that restrict abortion access.

The complex network of corporate donations to anti-abortion political committees underscores the financial backing behind the erosion of abortion rights in the United States. These contributions have enabled the election of politicians who support restrictive abortion laws and have contributed to a political climate that prioritizes corporate interests over the rights of individuals.

Corporate donations to anti-abortion politicians

Corporate Political Action Committees (PACs)

Corporate PACs have been major contributors to anti-abortion politicians and groups. Since 2016, 13 major corporations have donated a total of $15.2 million to key political committees that support anti-abortion lawmakers and legislation. These corporations include well-known companies such as Amazon, AT&T, Citi, Coca-Cola, CVS, Google, Walmart, and Verizon. These donations have provided significant financial support to anti-abortion efforts, despite some of these companies claiming to promote gender equality and women's empowerment.

Republican Political Groups

Three Republican political groups have received substantial corporate contributions that have helped elect governors, attorneys general, and state legislators who support anti-abortion legislation:

• Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC): This group has received millions of dollars from corporations and has spent millions supporting Republican candidates and opposing Democrats in states considering abortion restrictions.
• Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA): This group has received millions of dollars from corporations and has spent heavily to support Republican attorneys general who have challenged Roe v. Wade and defended restrictive abortion laws.
• Republican Governors Association (RGA): Corporate donations to the RGA have been significant, and the group has played a crucial role in electing anti-abortion governors who have signed abortion bans into law.

Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs)

Donor-advised funds, which allow donors to remain anonymous, have been a major source of funding for organizations involved in passing abortion bans. The National Christian Foundation, a large DAF, is the most prolific donor, providing millions of dollars to anti-abortion groups. Other DAF sponsors, such as Fidelity Charitable and Schwab Charitable, have also contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to these organizations.

Corporate Foundations

While corporate foundations typically donate smaller amounts, their contributions to anti-abortion groups are notable. For example, the foundations of Pfizer, General Electric (GE), Amazon, Intel, and others have donated to organizations involved in passing abortion bans. These donations often contradict the companies' public commitments to women's health and gender equality.

The role of corporate donations in funding anti-abortion politicians and legislation is complex and involves a variety of entities. These contributions have played a significant role in shaping abortion policy at the state and federal levels, despite some corporations presenting themselves as champions of women's rights and equality.

Corporate donations to anti-abortion non-profits

A 2019 investigation by Sludge, a non-profit organisation, revealed that a web of state and national groups spent millions of dollars on lobbying and organising in states that passed abortion bans that year. The investigation identified 182 funders, including major corporations, that contributed over $9.1 million to 20 organisations directly involved in the passage of abortion bans in nine states. These corporations include well-known companies such as General Electric, Pfizer, Amazon, AT&T, Coca-Cola, CVS, Google, and Walmart.

For example, Amazon, which presents itself as a champion of women's rights, has donated $974,718 to anti-abortion political committees since 2016. Similarly, AT&T, which emphasises its commitment to gender equity and the empowerment of women, has contributed $1,472,827 to anti-abortion political committees during the same period. Coca-Cola, which claims to promote equality and empowerment for women, has donated $2,624,000, and CVS, which states its dedication to achieving gender equity, has given $1,380,000. Google, which strives for equity and the empowerment of women, has donated $525,702, and Walmart, which boasts of its commitment to celebrating and uplifting women, has contributed $1,140,000.

In addition to these direct donations, corporations have also contributed to anti-abortion efforts through political action committees (PACs) and trade organisations. These contributions are often not disclosed and can be funnelled through donor-advised funds (DAFs), which allow donors to remain anonymous.

The role of corporate donations in supporting anti-abortion legislation and politicians has come under increasing scrutiny, particularly following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in June 2022. Despite their public stances on gender equality and women's rights, many corporations have been criticised for their financial support for anti-abortion lawmakers and the potential impact on their employees' access to reproductive healthcare.

Corporate donations to anti-abortion PACs

The National Christian Foundation, a large donor-advised fund, was the most prolific donor, providing more than $610,000 to the Alabama Policy Institute, which played a crucial role in Alabama's six-week abortion ban. Other prominent funders included the family foundation of Republican Representative Greg Gianforte and the corporate foundations of General Electric and Pfizer.

In addition to these direct contributions, corporations have also channelled money through political action committees (PACs) to support anti-abortion lawmakers and candidates. According to OpenSecrets, corporate PACs contributed over $1.6 million to lawmakers who opposed the Women's Health Protection Act, which aimed to codify abortion rights. Notably, 15 companies that publicly committed to covering travel expenses for employees seeking reproductive care also donated over $2 million to federal lawmakers opposing abortion rights.

Furthermore, corporations have contributed significantly to Republican political groups, such as the Republican State Leadership Committee, the Republican Attorneys General Association, and the Republican Governors Association. These groups have played a pivotal role in electing governors, attorneys general, and state legislators who have actively challenged Roe v. Wade and enacted restrictive abortion laws.

The role of corporate money in shaping abortion policy cannot be overstated. While many corporations publicly advocate for women's rights and equality, their financial support for anti-abortion politicians and groups reveals a more complex dynamic. This dual stance has drawn scrutiny and criticism, highlighting the disconnect between corporate social responsibility and political funding choices.

Corporate donations to anti-abortion trusts

A 2019 investigation by Sludge, an organisation specialising in investigative journalism on lobbying and money in politics, uncovered the sources of millions of dollars behind the advocacy efforts to pass state abortion bans. The report identified 182 funders, including donor-advised funds, family foundations, and corporate charities, who contributed over $9.1 million to 20 organisations directly involved in the 2019 abortion bans in nine states.

Among the prominent corporate foundations mentioned in the Sludge report, the following stood out:

• Pfizer Foundation: The foundation of drug giant Pfizer made donations to various anti-abortion groups, despite the company's stated commitment to women's health and gender equality.
• GE Foundation: General Electric's foundation was identified as one of the major funders, contributing to organisations like Alliance Defending Freedom and Americans United for Life.
• AmazonSmile Foundation: Amazon, which presents itself as a champion of women, has made substantial contributions to anti-abortion political committees.
• Intel Foundation: Intel, a company that emphasises its support for women's safety and health, has also donated to anti-abortion causes.

Additionally, a study by the Sustainable Investments Institute examined the political spending of Fortune 250 companies during the 2020-2022 election cycles. The study revealed that these companies and their political action committees spent more than $515 million, with 57% of that amount going to candidates, parties, and PACs opposed to reproductive health rights. AT&T and UnitedHealth were identified as the top supporters of anti-abortion-rights politicians in the South and Midwest, respectively.

Furthermore, popular brands and well-known corporations have been exposed for funding lawmakers who aim to restrict women's reproductive rights. For instance, companies like AT&T, Comcast, Google, Pfizer, and Walmart have contributed significant sums to committees and politicians responsible for furthering anti-abortion legislation. These actions contradict their public stances on gender equality and women's empowerment, raising concerns about the alignment of corporate values and their political contributions.

The involvement of corporations in funding anti-abortion trusts and politicians has had a significant impact on the passage of restrictive abortion laws at the state level. As a result, millions of people's access to reproductive healthcare has been threatened, and the fundamental rights of women have been jeopardised.

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