Planned Parenthood North Central States recently received an unexpected donation of $20 million from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. Scott is the former wife of Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos. It's the largest donation in the organization’s history.
Sarah Stoesz, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States, says she's still in shock.
“I was speechless. I can sort of talk about it. Now. I'm beginning to get my feet back. But it was the sort of thing that just never happened. It never happens," she said. "And the fact that we show up, day in and day out for people who otherwise would have nowhere to go was very meaningful to MacKenzie Scott and that was why she was making this gift to us.”
Stoesz said the money is a tremendous relief.
“We are facing significantly escalating costs related to inflation, and also there is a shortage of healthcare workers in our country, and so our costs of providing care are going up," she said. "So knowing that we now have $20 million, I’m very grateful.”
Governor Kristi Noem signed a bill Wednesday that would limit access to prescription abortion medication in South Dakota.
Planned Parenthood North Central States operates 28 facilities in Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.
