Planned Parenthood of Indiana's application for 2011 Neighborhood Assistance Program tax credits was rejected this week.
The NAP program helps organizations leverage donations, and the rejection came as a surprise to PPIN in the midst of a critical time for fundraising, according to a press release. PPIN has been utilizing the fundraising tool for two years.
In a letter from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority to Betty Cockrum, PPIN president and CEO, earlier this month the State claims its application denial is based on HEA 1230, the new state law that strips Medicaid funding from PPIN.
The NAP program offers up to $2.5 million in tax credits annually for distribution to not-for-profit corporations, according to its application package. Organizations such as PPIN use the credits to help them leverage more contributions from individuals and businesses for certain neighborhood-based programs and projects. The credits distributed to donors at 50 percent of the contribution amount and are subtracted from a donor's state income tax liability.
In the two years since PPIN has utilized NAP credits, it has raised more than $21,000 for the preventive health care it provides to low-income women and men in Marion County. The credits have been such a beneficial tool for Planned Parenthood that the organization has repeatedly run out of available tax credits for donors, according to the press release.
Cockrum said the state is taking another step to keep PPIN from providing affordable health care to its patients and at a time when the organization is in great need for assistance from donors.
According to the state, NAP tax credits "serve as a creative way to improve the standard of living and quality of life for all Indiana residents" and "provide citizens and businesses in Indiana with an incentive to contribute to not-for-profit corporations."
Among the eligible "community services" projects the IHCDA hopes to impact through the program, medical care is listed.
A U.S. District Court judge is considering PPIN's request for a preliminary injunction against HEA 1210. Judge Tanya Walton Pratt hasn't said exactly when she will issue her decision, but said it will be by July 1.
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