© 2024 MICHIGAN PUBLIC
91.7 Ann Arbor/Detroit 104.1 Grand Rapids 91.3 Port Huron 89.7 Lansing 91.1 Flint
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Surge of donations since election to progressive organizations

Antonin
/
FLICKR CREATIVE COMMONS HTTP://MICHRAD.IO/1LXRDJM

Like their national counterparts, organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan and Planned Parenthood of Michigan  have seen dramatic increases in contributions  in the week since Election Day to help them fight any efforts by the Trump administration to undermine their causes.  

"Given the very overt threats to our work and the women we serve throughout the campaign, people turned to Planned Parenthood and felt like what they could do is offer their time and their resources," said Lori Carpentier, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Michigan.

According to Carpentier, donations in the last week are four times higher than the same time period in a normal year.

Carpentier said a lot of people are making donations in honor of Vice President-elect Mike Pence as a protest against his staunch opposition to women's reproductive freedom. She said Pence then receives notification of the honor – as is routine.

Kary Moss, executive director of the Michigan ACLU, said they've experienced a big boost in memberships and offers to volunteer, as well as donations.

"People clearly know that this is a crucial moment right now," Moss said. "It's unlike any other we've seen."

Moss said the Michigan ACLU is still tallying the amount it's received since the election. But the national ACLU has received $7 million in the last week – the largest surge in its history.

A fundraising appeal from the ACLU sent shortly after the election warned, "If President-elect Trump tries to make his unlawful and unconstitutional campaign promises into policy, we'll see him in court."