Red Rooster Group Principal, Howard Adam Levy, was quoted in an article in The Columbus Dispatch discussing how Susan G. Komen’s brand would be affected by their reversal of policy regarding funding Planned Parenthood.

Komen is one of the most well-known and respected charities, and they had a huge role in putting breast cancer on the map. But they don’t always seem to act in the interests of their mission of stemming breast cancer. As an  organization working on behalf of women’s health, their decision to partner with KFC last year was widely criticized as trading one health concern — breast cancer — for another — heart disease. Their decision to stop funding Planned Parenthood seemed motivated by their Komen’s pro-life stance, rather than their support for women’s health.

Komen was providing funding to Planned Parenthood for services around breast exams, not abortions (which constitute only 3% of their services). In fact, in some areas of the country, Planned Parenthood is the only provider of women’s heath services. Planned Parenthood meanwhile, has already received more than $3 million in donations in the past week, more than 3 times the amount they receive from Komen, and is getting publicity that is helping the public understand its services better.

While Komen reversed their decision to rescind funding to Planned Parenthood, the damage to their brand is done and they will have a difficult time recovering, particularly that they have now annoyed both pro-life and pro-choice factions. This scandal is also shedding light on Komen’s partnerships with corporate entities that act against the interests of women’s health, causing the organization to be viewed as opportunistic. And with a movie about to launch that shines the light on Komen’s tactics, the organization has its work cut out for it in rebuilding trust among its donors.

Read the article in The Columbus Dispatch: Komen’s reversal on Planned Parenthood irks some

Howard Adam Levy, is Principal of Red Rooster Group, a New York based graphic design firm that creates effective brands, websites and marketing campaigns for nonprofits to increase their visibility, fundraising and communications effectiveness. Contact us at info@redroostergroup.com.