About Other Groups

 
Our members sometimes call to ask us about telemarketers representing other pro-life organizations. These groups often promise that some attractive pro-life goal can be reached if they can only gain your financial support. Some of these callers may be legitimate; some are not. You have heard the phrase, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is." That is true of phony pro-life groups as well. 

It is not possible for us to advise you about all the groups or individuals who may contact you requesting money. But we know that there are some who use names similar to established right to life groups and do not represent themselves honestly when contacting pro-life donors. This has been a problem here in Minnesota and all across the nation.

What you can do to stop phony pro-life groups

Legitimate, mainstream pro-life groups like ours are aware that this is happening. We are doing what we can to end the practice, but we need your help. First of all, listen carefully to what is being said, particularly to the name the group uses. It may sound similar to a legitimate group that you have supported in the past, but you have to be careful--it could be a phony pro-life group after your money.

If you do not know the group or are unsure about it, please ask the questions on the report form. This will help you and us to establish whether false or misleading claims are being made. It is important that you write down their responses exactly, word for word. Do not let them rush you; legitimate groups should have no problem responding to these questions, and you have every right to ask them.

There are many legitimate groups and there are others that raise huge amounts of money from pro-life donors, then do little or nothing to protect unborn children. It is not our purpose to dissuade you from giving to legitimate groups that may contribute to the cause in some way, but rather to help you to weed out those that do not contribute in any meaningful way.

Some go so far as to take credit for work that others have done, even though they have not made any meaningful contribution to the work. Here in Minnesota, some claim credit for popular legislation such as the Woman's Right to Know law. MCCL is the only Minnesota based pro-life group lobbying at the Legislature for such laws. It is unfair for other groups to claim credit for work we have done and to steal your support for our work. 

For your convenience we have developed a form including questions and space for responses. Please print out the form and keep it near your phone so you can help us stem fundraising scams.

It is sad that we have had to include such a warning here, but you can be assured that both MCCL and the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), with whom we are affiliated, value your support, and we will use every donation dollar to accomplish the goals we claim in our various appeals to you. Further, we protect your identity by never selling or giving your name, address or phone numbers to anyone.