Missouri Tax Credit Helps Pregnancy Centers, Adoption Efforts

A little-known provision of Missouri’s tax code is quietly shaping how private dollars flow to some of the state’s most vulnerable children and families, offering sizable incentives for donations to organizations involved in adoption, foster care and pregnancy support.

Under Missouri’s Pregnancy Resource Center and Maternity Home tax credit programs (form HERE), qualifying gifts can return as much as 70% of a donation directly to a taxpayer’s state tax bill. The credits are not deductions, which merely lower taxable income, but much-preferred credits that actually reduce the amount owed to the state dollar for dollar. Both individuals and businesses can participate.

Tax helps fund pregnancy resource and adoption services

Among the largest and most established recipients is Missouri Baptist Children’s Home Children and Family Ministries, commonly known as MBCH. Founded in 1886, MBCH operates foster care, adoption services, maternity housing and family support programs across much of the state. Donations of $100 or more to MBCH may qualify for the 70% credit when funds are directed to programs approved under the state’s Pregnancy Resource Center or Maternity Home statutes.

The LIGHT House, a faith-based maternity home affiliated with MBCH, also qualifies. It provides housing, counseling and practical assistance to pregnant women, particularly those facing homelessness or family instability.

Supporters of the program say the credits allow Missourians to redirect tax dollars toward services the state would otherwise struggle to provide on its own.

“If you know you have a Missouri tax bill, this gives you the option of investing that money directly in children and families instead of sending it straight to Jefferson City,” said Anita Widaman, the publisher of Metro Voice, who also works with many of the organizations. “It’s a partnership between taxpayers and the state.”

MBCH agrees, saying the program is a great option for Missouri taxpayers wanting magnify their donations.

“Each year, with the projected annual budget for MBCH, there is a ‘gap’ between what is received in fees for services provided by our ministries and the actual costs of those ministries,” Juston Gates, President of MBCH, told Metro Voice.  “That budgetary ‘gap’ is covered each year via investment income and donor gifts.  Our receipts through Tax Credit donations represent a large portion of the ‘gap’ income.”

The math is compelling

The math can be compelling. A donor who contributes $100 receives a $70 credit against Missouri income taxes. In more complex scenarios, donors can apply credits across multiple tax years if their liability is lower than the credit amount, a feature that appeals to higher-income households and businesses.

“Missouri Tax Credit donations are a practical way for a donor to utilize what would be due in relation to state income tax annually to instead support a charity or ministry that has personal meaning and value,” Gates says. “Tax credits are just that, credits related to the state income tax collected by the Missouri Department of Revenue, and not simply a deduction for charitable giving.”

MBCH is not alone. Several other Christian and pro-life ministries across Missouri qualify for similar credits if they meet state requirements. These include pregnancy resource centers that provide free pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, counseling, parenting classes and material support such as diapers and car seats. Maternity homes offering residential care for expectant mothers also qualify under a separate but related credit.

In the Kansas City area, eligible organizations include Birthright of Greater Kansas City, Catholic Charities of KC-St. Joseph and Rachel House.

There are a lot of people who don’t take advantage of the program

Birthright, a well-established pro-life organization, offers support through 13 offices across the state. Glenda Merten, Birthright-Kansas City director, says the donations through the PRC partnership make a big difference but more need to learn about it. “There are a lot of people who don’t take advantage of the program. We have quite a few that do,” she told Metro Voice this week. “You don’t have to itemize to take advantage of it, and you can even take it from your IRA.”

Parkville Women’s Clinic says many of their faithful donors have expanded their giving because of this special incentive. In a video on the organization’s website, they say it’s a “game changer.”

Janie Baker, PWC’s Director of Operations, said it’s about stewardship. “Thanks to the Missouri Pregnancy Resource Center Tax Credit program, generous supporters can give in a way that maximizes both stewardship and impact.” she told Metro Voice. Baker says that in 2024, 184 donors used the program. They helped “ensure women and families receive compassionate, Christ-centered care,” she stated.

Many of these groups openly identify with Christian missions and emphasize alternatives to abortion

Across the state, other organizations include Lifeline Pregnancy Care Center, New Beginnings Pregnancy Care Center in Springfield, Lutheran Families and Children’s Services of Missouri, and a network of smaller crisis pregnancy centers operating in rural communities. Many of these groups openly identify with Christian missions and emphasize alternatives to abortion, though eligibility is based on services provided rather than religious affiliation.

In recent years, Missouri has expanded the use of tax credits tied to child welfare. The Champion for Children Tax Credit, which took effect this year, allows donors to claim up to 70% of a contribution made to qualifying child advocacy and foster care organizations, including child advocacy centers that assist abused and neglected children. The credit is capped at $50,000 per donor per year and may be carried forward for up to four years.

The programs operate on a first-come, first-served basis, and credits are limited annually by the state. Nonprofits often urge donors to act early in the calendar year or well before December, when allocations may run out.

Pro-abortion activists have been critical of the support these organizations are getting. They argue that public policy should remain neutral on reproductive issues and question whether tax credits indirectly subsidize organizations with specific moral viewpoints. They’re even against the program in its support of adoptive and foster services.

Supporters counter that the programs are voluntary and reflect Missouri lawmakers’ preference to bolster private charities that reduce pressure on the foster care system and support women in crisis as well as at-risk children.

State officials note that the credits are designed to leverage private generosity rather than replace public funding. By encouraging donations, the state avoids the full cost of providing similar services while retaining oversight through certification and reporting requirements.

For donors who itemize deductions on their federal returns, the benefits can extend beyond Missouri taxes. The portion of a gift not covered by the state credit may still qualify as a charitable deduction, potentially lowering federal income taxes as well.

For organizations like MBCH, the credits have become an essential fundraising tool. Leaders there say the program has helped stabilize funding for foster placements, adoption services, pregnancy resources, andmaternity housing at a time when demand continues to rise.

As Missouri lawmakers debate broader child welfare reforms, the tax credit programs remain one of the state’s most tangible incentives for citizens to play a direct role in caring for children, families in crisis, and pregnancy challenges – one redirected tax dollar at a time.

While organizations plan their 2026 budgets and the clock is ticking for the deadline to get your 2025 donation counted towards this year’s state taxes, now is the time to have a lasting impact. Make your donation before the end of December.

Marten, with Birthright-Kansas City, says the donations through the program provide peace of mind, and she’s grateful for every penny. “It was always difficult to make ends meet at the end of the year,” she said. She said she’s grateful as it offers more financial stability at the end of the year and it’s easier to plan budgets for the future.”

“We don’t have to worry now,” she told Metro Voice, echoing what other ministry leaders told us. “We can help every woman who enters our doors.”

–Dwight Widaman | Metro Voice

Metro Voice thanks Doug Horn and the Horn Law Foundation for their financial support which makes this type of journalism possible. If you would like to support the work of Metro Voice and their coverage of non-profits and how they’re changing the community, contact us at 816-524-4522.