Komen Grant Criteria Response

Letter from Executive Director Montana Affiliate Susan G. Komen

I wanted to address the news about changes made to Susan G. Komen grant policies that no longer allows Komen to fund breast cancer services provided by Planned Parenthood.  The Montana Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure has awarded almost $1.2 million across Montana for breast cancer education and screening over the past 17 years.  These funds were donated by people, like yourself, participating in the Race for the Cure and from other fundraising efforts.  Each Komen supporter can be proud of the work that has been accomplished with the money they donated – helping women in need in Montana. 

Komen Montana did not have input on the decision to change the grant policies, which made Planned Parenthood ineligible because of a federal investigation.  Planned Parenthood in Montana has not been funded by Komen Montana but they do provide breast cancer screening to uninsured and underinsured women. 

For people who are disappointed by the decision made by the national office, I hope you consider the good work Komen Montana is doing and remember the high need in our State.  I hope that you continue your support.  Our vision to end breast cancer forever requires the hard work from everyone. 

I have been provided the following response from the National Komen office.   To have your view heard, I would suggest that you send an email via the Komen website:  http://ww5.komen.org/Contact.aspx

Thank you for your inquiry to Susan G. Komen for the Cure regarding our recent granting strategy and performance criteria revisions and their potential impact on Planned Parenthood and other Komen grantees. Unfortunately, there have been serious mischaracterizations and we appreciate this opportunity to clarify the issue.

For Komen, the women we serve are our highest priority in everything we do. Last year, thanks to the support of individuals and businesses, we were able to invest $93 million in community health programs. These programs provided 700,000 mammograms, no doubt saving countless lives. Earlier this year, we began an initiative to further strengthen our grants program to be even more outcomes-driven and to allow for even greater investments in programs that directly serve women. We also implemented more stringent eligibility and performance criteria to support these strategies. As we move forward, we are working directly with Komen Affiliates to ensure that there is no interruption or gaps in services for women who need breast health screening and services.

It is regrettable when changes in priorities and policies affect any of our grantees, such as a longstanding partner like Planned Parenthood. However, like all organizations, we must continue to evolve and meet ever higher standards of excellence, so that we can most fully advance our mission. Our grant-making decisions are not about politics. Our priority is and always will be the women we serve. Any efforts to make this political or leverage it for fundraising purposes would be a disservice to women.

I hope this answer provides the information you need. As always, we appreciate your support of Komen and our mission to end breast cancer forever.

Warmest Regards,  Susan G. Komen for the Cure

Nancy W. Lee, Executive Director

Susan G. Komen for the Cure – Montana Affiliate

T: 406-495-9337 C: 406-459-8479 F: 406-495-9013

1066 Helena Avenue　| Helena, MT 59601

nlee@komenmontana.org

www.komenmontana.org