Pro-life movement is getting a strategic boost in the post-Roe era. Three prominent conservative leaders are launching a new initiative to unify anti-abortion groups and secure more victories with a $30 million venture fund backing their efforts.
At a Glance
- The Life Leadership Conference aims to unite the fragmented pro-life movement following the end of Roe v. Wade
- Conference is led by conservative heavyweights Robert George, Leonard Leo, and Raymond Ruddy
- A $30 million Pro-Life Venture Fund has been established to support projects reducing abortions
- David Bereit, former National Director of 40 Days for Life, serves as Executive Director
- Initiative seeks to counter recent pro-choice ballot measure victories with coordinated strategy
Conservative Leaders Launch Pro-Life Unity Initiative
Three influential conservative figures are stepping up to reshape the pro-life landscape in America through a new initiative designed to bring cohesion to a movement that has struggled with fragmentation since its biggest victory. The Life Leadership Conference, spearheaded by Princeton Professor Robert George, Federalist Society co-chairman Leonard Leo, and philanthropist Raymond Ruddy, seeks to align goals, messaging, and priorities within the anti-abortion community.
“The Life Leadership Conference is our way of working to ensure that the pro-life movement’s ideals are fully and faithfully operationalized, to the end of winning more, and losing and compromising less,” George, Leo, and Ruddy said.
Their timing is strategic – while the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade in 2022 represented a landmark victory for pro-life advocates, it also created a more complex political landscape that has revealed divisions within the movement over how to advance its agenda state by state.
$30 Million Fund To Support Life-Affirming Efforts
In a bold demonstration of their commitment, the conference founders have established a Pro-Life Venture Fund with an initial investment of $30 million. This substantial financial backing will support projects aimed at reducing abortions across America, including raising awareness of pro-life pregnancy centers and maternity homes that provide alternatives to abortion.
The venture fund is expected to support organizations opposing Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers, while investing in life-affirming alternatives. The conference is currently formalizing its membership structure, with reports of significant interest from major pro-life organizations across the country.
Addressing Post-Roe Fragmentation
David Bereit, former National Director of 40 Days for Life, has been appointed as the Executive Director of the Conference. His leadership brings significant grassroots organizing experience to the initiative, having previously led nationwide prayer vigils outside abortion facilities. Bereit has identified a key challenge facing the movement since its Supreme Court victory.
“Already there was already some fragmentation and groups doing different things, but that really became increasingly problematic with the overturn of Roe v. Wade,” Bereit said.
The movement has faced strategic disagreements in recent years, with some advocates pushing for federal gestational limits while others prefer state-by-state approaches. These divisions have hampered effectiveness while pro-choice advocates have scored victories through ballot measures in several states since the Dobbs decision.
Building Momentum For Future Victories
The conference represents a recognition that the end of Roe was just the beginning of a new phase in the abortion debate. With some states enacting strict abortion limits while others expand access, pro-life leaders see the need for coordinated action to counter well-funded abortion rights campaigns and legislative efforts across the country.
The Conference comes as Republicans and conservatives continue to debate which pro-life policies to champion in the current political environment. By bringing together organizations, influencers, philanthropists, and donors committed to pro-life goals, the Life Leadership Conference aims to provide the strategic direction that movement leaders believe has been lacking since their Supreme Court victory.
