Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion provider, charged $20,000 for "VIP seating" at an annual awards luncheon held in Dallas, Texas, on Monday.
Individuals who contributed $20,000 to become a "speaker sponsor" received admission for eight to a cocktail reception with Planned Parenthood Federation of America President Cecile Richards, who delivered the keynote remarks during the event, along with the VIP seating. These sponsors were also given "prominent recognition" in materials distributed at the event.
The donations went toward the group’s "essential healthcare and health education services" provided for individuals in Central and North Texas.
The price of tickets started at $150. Individuals could become an event sponsor by contributing donations starting at $1,850 up to $20,000.
Sponsors were each guaranteed a table for 10 with designated seating depending on the amount donated. All sponsors were also offered "prominent recognition" in materials distributed at the luncheon.
Those who paid $5,000 were given priority seating along with a gift for the host while those who donated $10,000 received "premier" seating.
Also on Monday, pro-life group Heroic Media hosted a prayer luncheon less than a half mile away from the Planned Parenthood fundraiser.
Hundreds join @heroic_media prayer luncheon blocks away from Planned Parenthood's annual fundraiser #chooselife pic.twitter.com/uUSOugzqad
— A. Larry Ross Comm. (@alrc) April 4, 2016
Conservative talk show host Laura Ingraham headlined the luncheon to "counter Planned Parenthood."
Admission to that event was free, but any donations would go toward advertising campaigns that direct women "away from Planned Parenthood" toward "life-affirming" Pregnancy Help Clinics in Dallas. Heroic Media event coordinators said this would help "save thousands of babies’ lives from abortion."
Planned Parenthood raised nearly $700,000 during its sold-out awards luncheon in Dallas last year. More than 1,000 people attended the event in 2015.