Students for Life of America (SFLA, also shortened Students for Life) is a pro-life advocacy organization that seeks to abolish abortion. SFLA supports more than 1,200 campus groups in all 50 states and has trained over 127,000 young pro-life activists. 1
Students for Life of America has sister lobbing and electoral advocacy organization, Students for Life Action. 2
Activities
Students for Life uses a multi-faceted approach in its effort to abolish abortion and currently has six separate initiatives, each meant to achieve specific goals. Students for Life Action mobilizes pro-life leaders to impact public policy, Students for Life HQ offers online pro-life training tools for students, and the Mary Demetree Institute for Pro-Life Advancement researches the most effective ways to communicate SFLA’s anti-abortion stance. Additionally, Students for Life hosts the National Pro-Life Summit that provides networking opportunities for activists from across the country. 3
Students for Life’s other initiatives intend to support pregnancy and eliminate the need for abortion. SFLA’s Standing with You initiative provides pregnancy support to students by helping parents manage both their children and their education. SFLA’s Campaign for Abortion Free Cities provides alternative resources to women to directly reduce the number of abortions. 4
Students for Life frequently partners with other like-minded organizations, including the Susan B. Anthony List, Live Action, Alliance Defending Freedom, 40 Days for Life, Equal Rights Institute, the Thomas More Society, Sidewalk Advocates for Life, Americans United for Life, and the Family Research Council. Additionally, SFLA has helped in leading national coalitions like WomenBetrayed, Stop the Abortion Mandate, and Defund Planned Parenthood. 5
Funding
Students for Life of America is funded by donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations. While SFLA does not disclose other donors, tax filings confirm donations from the California Community Foundation ($100,000 in 2019), 6 the Catholic Association Foundation ($60,000 in 2019), 7 and Donors Trust ($56,721 in 2019). 8
Board of Directors
Christina Hagan is a former Republican member of the Ohio House of Representatives. 9
Kristan Hawkins is the president of Students for Life of America and Students for Life Action. Hawkins formerly served on the Republican National Committee, as an appointee at the Department of Health and Human Services during the George W. Bush administration, and on former President Donald Trump’s Pro-Life Advisory Council. 10
Shaun Kenney is a vice president of the American Life League and a former executive director of the Republican Party of Virginia. 11
Leonard Leo is co-chair of the board of SFLA and the former executive vice president of the Federalist Society. 11
Greg Mueller is the CEO of CRC Advisors. Mueller formerly worked as a senior aide for the Republican presidential campaigns of Pat Buchanan and Steve Forbes. 12
Brendan O’Morchoe is the former vice president of strategy at SFLA and the former national director of Pro-Life Future. 13
Ray Ruddy is the founder of the Gerard Health Foundation, which funds pro-life causes, abstinence education, and efforts to end AIDS/HIV. 11
Scott Walker is a Republican politician and the former governor of Wisconsin. Walker sits on the boards of Students for Life Action, the American Federation for Children, and the Center for State-led National Debt Solutions. 11
Danielle Huntley Webb is an immigration attorney and the chair of the board of the Fiscal Alliance Foundation. 14
Other members of the board include co-chair Richard Crum and Paul Horrocks. 11
References
- “Who We Are.” Students for Life of America, 2021. Accessed August 29, 2022. https://studentsforlife.org/about/who-we-are/.
- “2021 & 2022 State Legislative Sessions Report.” Students for Life Action, 2021. Accessed August 29, 2022. https://www.studentsforlifeaction.org/2021-2022-state-legislative-sessions-report/.
- [1] “Initiatives.” Students for Life of America, 2021. Accessed August 29, 2022. https://studentsforlife.org/about/initiatives/.
- “Initiatives.” Students for Life of America, 2021. Accessed August 29, 2022. https://studentsforlife.org/about/initiatives/.
- “Supporters.” Students for Life of America, 2021. Accessed August 24, 2022. https://studentsforlife.org/supporters/.
- California Community Foundation, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2019, Schedule I, Part II.
- Catholic Association Foundation, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2019, Schedule I, Part II.
- [1] Donors Trust, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2019, Schedule I, Part II.
- “Christina Hagan.” Ballotpedia. Accessed August 29, 2022. https://ballotpedia.org/Christina_Hagan.
- “About.” Kristan Hawkins, 2022. Accessed August 29, 2022. https://kristanhawkins.com/about/.
- “Our Board.” Students for Life of America, 2021. Accessed August 24, 2022. https://studentsforlife.org/about/our-board/.
- Lucas, Fred. “Trump Judicial Adviser Teams Up With Conservative PR Executive in New Initiative.” The Daily Signal, January 7, 2020. Accessed August 29, 2022. https://www.dailysignal.com/2020/01/07/trump-judicial-adviser-teams-up-with-conservative-pr-executive-in-new-initiative/.
- “Brendan O’Morchoe, MBA.” LinkedIn, 2022. Accessed August 29, 2022. https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanomorchoe/.
- “Who We Are.” Huntley PC. Accessed August 29, 2022. https://www.huntleyimmigration.com/who-we-are