2022 Economic Impact Awards Charitable Nonprofit of the Year: Pregnancy Care Center

For over two decades, Pregnancy Care Center has followed its mission to save lives and strengthen families – providing medical services and educational outreach to 300,000 people in the process.

The 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 2000, provides clients pregnancy testing, ultrasound services, and coaching and education programs at no cost. In 2021, PCC provided over 6,500 services to 1,410 clients, with both numbers up from the year before.

Executive Director Lisa McIntire notes growth for the organization, which this year has an operating budget of $2.6 million and a staff of 20, as a reflection on an increasing number of clients who need PCC’s services. Additionally, PCC is doing a better job of spreading word of its services within the community, she says. 

“We really do come from a place of empathy and compassion. That’s a huge component of what we do,” she says.

McIntire says the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade and remove federal protections for abortion has no impact on the work PCC does as the nonprofit has never performed abortions or referred clients to those that do. The organization’s continued approach is to provide clients a safe place to process and make decisions about the pregnancy that’s best for them, she says.

“Unplanned pregnancy happens whether abortion is legal or illegal,” she says. “When our clients find themselves in that situation, they just call us and come for help. Our role isn’t the political part or the policy.”

Since the June 24 abortion ruling, McIntire says she’s heard from many people telling her PCC will be needed more than ever.  

“Enough people in the community understand what our role is and have seen the positive impact we’ve made on individual lives and families that I don’t think this Supreme Court ruling really changes that,” she says, noting donations from individuals, families, businesses, churches and local foundations fund more than 90% of PCC’s annual budget.

PCC’s educational services cover dozens of classes on topics such pregnancy, parenting, anger and stress management, nutrition and budgeting. McIntire says the classes aren’t just for women, as the total of men being served through fatherhood services at PCC is on a rapid rise. In 2021, PCC served 374 men – an increase of nearly 680% from 2017. That’s over 25% of the nonprofit’s clients last year, she says. 

“That tells you a lot of things,” she says, noting the fatherhood program gained its first director with the January hiring of Joe Bell. “Men want to be involved in their family and with their baby, but they need guidance and support. But they need it in a way that speaks to them.”