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Minnesota Family Council

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Minnesota Family Council
Founded1983
FounderThomas W. Prichard
TypeNonprofit Corporation
41-1863170 (EIN)
Location
Key people
John Helmberger, CEO[1]
Revenue$178,813 (2020)[2]
Employees6
Volunteers20
Websitemfc.org

Minnesota Family Council (MFC) is an American Christian organization in Minneapolis, Minnesota, founded in 1983. MFC is a family policy council affiliated with Focus on the Family and Alliance Defending Freedom. The organization advocates for the passage of socially conservative policies in the state. It also produces voter guides to encourage its supporters to elect conservative lawmakers.[3] After registering as a political action committee in 2011, MFC has lobbied against abortion and same-sex marriage, and in favor of single-sex school bathroom and athletics policies.[4]

History

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Minnesota Family Council was founded in 1982 and was originally known as the Berean League.[5] MFC has been active in politics, representing the religious right in Minnesota, since at least 1994.[6]

In 2011, MFC registered as a political action committee (PAC) in its efforts for lobbying against same-sex marriage.[7]

Positions and advocacy

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The Minnesota Family Council advocates for socially conservative positions on prayer in public schools, LGBT rights, abortion, and school vouchers.[8]

Abortion

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MFC advocates against abortion.[9] The group urged a halt to abortion access during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.[9][10] In 2018, MFC supported the Trump administration's decision move to withhold federal family planning funds from clinics that provide abortion services.[11]

LGBT Equality

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MFC is opposed to LGBT equality and domestic partner benefits. In 2012, it spent almost $350,000 on the failed 2012 effort to amend the Minnesota constitution to ban such unions.[12][13] It was a leading opponent of the legalization of same-sex marriage in Minnesota.[14]

MFC has advocated against laws to ban the practice of so-called conversion therapy.[15]

Affiliated organizations

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MFC's subsidiary, Minnesota Family Institute (MFI), operates the Northstar Legal Center.[16]

MFC is locally affiliated with Focus on the Family,[17] Family Policy Alliance,[18] Alliance Defending Freedom, and Family Research Council.[19]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Lea, Albert (October 3, 2006). "Religious group targets DFLer over gay marriage; In Minnesota and other states, a Christian group is urging clergy to highlight such issues. Others say voters have more vital concerns". Star Tribune. Minneapolis, MN.
  2. ^ "Minnesota Family Council 2020 IRS Form 990". Pro Publica Nonprofit Explorer. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
  3. ^ ""Voter Guide"". mfc.org. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  4. ^ ""Transgender Policies: True and False"". mfc.org. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  5. ^ Birkey, Andy. "Minnesota's homegrown Christian right: meet the Minnesota Family Council". Twin Cities Daily Planet. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  6. ^ Balz, Dan (September 15, 1994). "Minnesota Race Slows Momentum of Religious Right". Washington Post.
  7. ^ Grovum, Jake (August 11, 2011). "What's happening at the Minnesota Capitol: Iowa debate tonight: Dayton admin movements". St. Paul Legal Ledger Capitol Report. Minnesota.
  8. ^ Smith, Dane (January 13, 1996). "GOP conservative McKigney seeks Bertram's Senate seat". Star Tribune. Minneapolis, MN.
  9. ^ a b Sarah Mearhoff (March 25, 2020). "Minnesotans still able to access abortions during COVID-19 pandemic". Duluth News Tribune.
  10. ^ Sarah Mearhoff. "Anti-abortion groups sue Minnesota, providers, argue surgical abortions should be banned during pandemic". Grand Forks Herald.
  11. ^ Shannon Prather (May 19, 2018). "Trump blocks federal family planning money from clinics that provide abortions". Star Tribune.
  12. ^ "Who is funding the marriage amendment fight". Retrieved November 20, 2012.
  13. ^ "ElectionResults2012". Archived from the original on November 10, 2012. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
  14. ^ Elizabeth Shockman (November 22, 2019). "Minneapolis bans conversion therapy for minors". Minnesota Public Radio.
  15. ^ Catharine Richert (November 5, 2014). "How the GOP took the Minnesota House".
  16. ^ "What's the Difference Between Minnesota Family Council and Minnesota Family Institute?". Minnesota Family Foundation. Archived from the original on August 31, 2012. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  17. ^ Roberts, William (October 19, 2006). "Republicans Falter in Bid to Mobilize Christian Conservatives". Bloomberg. Focus on the Family operatives plan to distribute 250,000 voter guides in Minnesota churches to reach social conservatives, said Tom Prichard, 47, president of the Minnesota Family Council, a local affiliate of Dobson's group. "It's really a volatile election situation," Prichard said.
  18. ^ ""Allies"". familypolicyalliance.org. Family Policy Alliance. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  19. ^ ""Family Policy Councils"" (PDF). frc.org. Family Research Council. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
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