Pro-life venture fund launched with $30 million backing

A new initiative in the pro-life movement, the Pro-Life Venture Fund, has been launched with a significant $30 million contribution from three notable figures: Catholic philanthropist Ray Ruddy, political activist Leonard Leo, and Princeton University professor Robert P. George. This fund is part of the Life Leadership Conference's efforts to streamline and enhance the effectiveness of pro-life philanthropy.

David Bereit, known for founding 40 Days for Life and leading the American Life League, serves as the executive director of this venture. He stated that there are more opportunities to expand philanthropic support for pro-life causes. The fund aims to unify fragmented efforts and focus resources more effectively at both national and state levels. It is designed not to replace existing fundraising but to support targeted new activities within the movement.

Bereit mentioned that one of his priorities is securing additional donors for the initiative. However, details on individual contributions from Ruddy, Leo, and George were not disclosed.

Leonard Leo is noted for his influential role in reshaping the U.S. Supreme Court, contributing significantly to overturning Roe v. Wade in 2022. He also played a pivotal role in renaming George Mason University's law school after Justice Antonin Scalia.

Ray Ruddy's previous philanthropic work includes founding the Gerard Health Foundation with his wife in 2001, which supports various pro-life initiatives.

Robert P. George has actively engaged in legal discourse surrounding abortion rights; he filed an amicus curiae brief advocating for recognizing unborn children as persons entitled to equal protection under the law.

Former U.S. Senator Sam Brownback emphasized that while significant progress has been made in reversing Roe v. Wade, ongoing challenges remain for the pro-life movement. He advocated aligning with broader efforts to uphold Judeo-Christian values and address demographic concerns globally.

Brownback proposed strategies such as reducing abortions among African American communities by 50% over a decade and promoting human dignity by opposing abortions based on conditions like Down syndrome.

Despite setbacks in recent state elections where many voters opted to enshrine abortion rights into state constitutions, Brownback highlighted that cultural shifts take time given decades of pro-abortion sentiment.

Kurt Jensen reports from Washington for OSV News.