Is Planned Parenthood Federation of America a 501(c)(3)?

Written by True Tamplin, BSc, CEPF®

Reviewed by Subject Matter Experts

Updated on March 29, 2023

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Is Planned Parenthood Federation of America a 501(c)(3)?

Yes, Planned Parenthood Federation of America is a 501(c)(3) organization. This means that it is a nonprofit institution and qualifies for exemption from federal income tax.

It also means that any charitable donations made to Planned Parenthood Federation of America can be written off to reduce taxable income.

What Is Planned Parenthood Federation of America?

Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing access to quality reproductive and sexual health services, advocating for an agenda that increases such access, and educating the public on critical topics.

The organization operates over 600 health centers in the United States and works with over 100 local organizations in Africa and Latin America. PPFA is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.

History of Planned Parenthood Federation of America

Founded in 1916 by Margaret Sanger, a nurse and birth control activist, the organization has been providing reproductive health services to individuals, communities, and policymakers for over 100 years.

Sanger opened the first birth control clinic in Brownsville, Brooklyn in 1916, with the goal of helping women gain access to contraception and information about reproductive health.

The clinic was shut down nine days later due to its controversial nature at the time. Despite this setback, Margaret Sanger continued her journey around the country to promote her perspective on issues - a viewpoint that had some deeply unsettling implications.

In 1956, a significant human trial of the birth control pill was held in Puerto Rico. While the experiment was essential for furthering the pill's development, it was done without the informed consent of the female participants from Puerto Rico.

Through several trial runs and refinements, the birth control pill was eventually made into the safe and reliable contraceptive method we use today.

On May 9, 1960, the United States Food and Drug Administration gave its approval for the sale of pills intended for contraception.

Throughout the decades, PPFA continued to grow, launching new initiatives such as AID FOR AIDS International, which provides direct medical care and support to those affected by HIV/AIDS around the world.

Today PPFA’s mission remains true to its original roots—to provide quality sexual health care for all individuals regardless of income or insurance status—while advocating for policies that ensure safety for women everywhere.

Mission of Planned Parenthood Federation of America

For over 100 years, the mission of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America has been to ensure all individuals have access to the full range of reproductive and sexual health services they need.

Mission of Planned Parenthood Federation of America

PPFA works with individuals, communities, and policymakers towards this mission through three key strategies:

  • Providing direct care services

  • Advocating for an agenda that increases access to quality healthcare for all women regardless of income or insurance status

  • Public education campaigns

They provide fact-based information on critical topics like safe sex practices and teen pregnancy prevention.

This global network is supported by advocacy efforts at both state and federal levels—ensuring everyone has access to the sexual health resources they need.

Offering a wide array of educational programs across the US, PPFA makes sure that people have accurate information about their bodies in order to make informed decisions regarding their health.

This is in addition to providing direct services such as family planning counseling, STD testing & treatment, contraceptive care, cancer screenings, HIV/AIDS prevention, and counseling services.

PPFA focuses specifically on the needs of marginalized populations such as low-income individuals, LGBTQ+ communities, and people in rural areas who often face additional challenges when it comes to accessing reproductive healthcare.

Final Thoughts

Planned Parenthood Federation of America is a prominent and important organization dedicated to providing accessible and affordable reproductive health care services.

It works to secure rights, comprehensive care, and access for all, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, or income.

Its commitment to quality healthcare makes it a valuable resource and ally in the fight to protect individual rights and bodily autonomy.

Is Planned Parenthood Federation of America a 501(c)(3)? FAQs

About the Author

True Tamplin, BSc, CEPF®

True Tamplin is a published author, public speaker, CEO of UpDigital, and founder of Finance Strategists.

True is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF®), author of The Handy Financial Ratios Guide, a member of the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing, contributes to his financial education site, Finance Strategists, and has spoken to various financial communities such as the CFA Institute, as well as university students like his Alma mater, Biola University, where he received a bachelor of science in business and data analytics.

To learn more about True, visit his personal website or view his author profiles on Amazon, Nasdaq and Forbes.

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