Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan (PPAM) is the advocacy arm of Planned Parenthood in Michigan. We work in conjunction with Planned Parenthood Federation of America and Planned Parenthood Action Fund at the national level, as well as our health center/education affiliate Planned Parenthood of Michigan, supporters, and patients at the state level to ensure access to reproductive health for all Michiganders.
The mission of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan is to protect and enhance the ability of affiliates to deliver reproductive health care services by affecting policy makers through electoral and non-electoral activities. (Affirmed, October 9, 1999)
The goals of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan are to:
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Educate communities about the status of reproductive rights and health.
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Educate communities about the impact of public policy and conservative decision makers on the status of reproductive rights and health.
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Drive action and hold decision makers accountable on women’s health and rights.
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Mobilize voters around the election.
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Build long-term power through the meaningful engagement of supporters and allies.
Our Organizing Framework
Training and leadership development of our people: Organizers, patients and health center staff, action teams, campus groups, defenders, members, and other supporters operate under our Path to Power organizing model which emphasizes storytelling, issue cutting, power mapping, action, and progressing up the leadership ladder.
Working through a reproductive justice lens: We recognize that the needs and interests of our communities are not limited to access to affordable health care including birth control and abortion, but that all people must be able to live full, healthy lives free of fear from poverty, discrimination, and violence.
Building a powerful network of Planned Parenthood supporters online and offline:
Utilizing innovative approaches online and off, we provide supporters with the opportunity to engage with existing infrastructure where we have it, and to help to build it where we don’t.
Making progress through public policy:
Strategically organizing to scale around legislative attacks and opportunities to help frame the debate, shift the balance of power, and win on issues that have an impact on our communities’ lives and livelihoods.
Our Team
Our Structure
PPAM is made up of a 501(c)4 and a Super PAC that allow us to work on all levels of advocacy and activism in Michigan. This is a breakdown of our structure and which activities fall under the 501(c)4 or SuperPAC.
501(c)4: Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan is a 501c4 nonprofit that works to protect and enhance the ability of the affiliates to deliver reproductive health care services by affecting policy makers through non-electoral lobbying activities.
Direct Lobbying: PPAM's 501(c)4 talks directly
to elected and other “lobbyable” officials about supporting or opposing specific legislation.
Grassroots Lobbying: PPAM's 501(c)4 encourages people to contact their representatives about supporting or opposing specific legislation.
Endorsements: PPAM's 501(c)4 issues endorsements of candidates. Through a questionnaire process that goes to candidates at the state, county and local level, candidates receive endorsements in both primary and general elections. PPAM does not endorse federal candidates. That is handled through the federal Planned Parenthood Action Fund (PPAF).