
Charles A. “Chuck” Donovan
PresidentCharles A. “Chuck” Donovan is president of the Charlotte Lozier Institute. He served as legislative director of the National Right to Life Committee more than four decades ago, worked as a writer for President Reagan from 1981-1989, helped to lead the Family Research Council for nearly two decades and served as Senior Research Fellow in Religion and Civil Society at The Heritage Foundation.
Chuck has played key roles in the development of public policy regarding public financing of abortion, compassionate alternatives to abortion, the child tax credit, marriage penalty relief, rights of conscience, and other life and family issues.
Donovan is the author or co-author of books and monographs on family topics. Appearances on national radio and television include CNN’s Inside Politics and ABC’s Nightline as well as programs on FOX, BBC, NPR, the Voice of America, EWTN and CBN. His articles and commentaries have been published in newspapers such as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Washington Times, Cincinnati Enquirer, San Diego Union and National Catholic Register, and in magazines such as Reader’s Digest, The Weekly Standard, American Legion Magazine, World Magazine, American Library Journal, Crisis, and Focus on the Family’s Citizen.
Chuck has published in the peer-reviewed journals Linacre Quarterly and the Open Journal of Preventative Medicine. He has spoken to audiences across the United States, in Venezuela, and in the United Kingdom.
A native of Louisville, Kentucky, Donovan earned a bachelor of arts degree in English at the University of Notre Dame.
Videos
Research Authored
Pro-Life States Are Putting Their Money Where Their Mouths Are
Media outlets on the Left constantly berate pro-lifers and accuse them of forgetting about children after they’re born. They push false narratives that the pro-life movement wants to deprive women of opportunities and prevent children from obtaining a safe and fair upbringing.
From the Desk of CLI’s President: A Reflection One Year Post-Dobbs
As we mark the first anniversary of the Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, one thing is clear: The debate the Supreme Court’s 5-4 majority invited by reversing Roe v. Wade is happening - and it is intense.
The Democrats’ Misguided Demand for Taxpayer-Funded Abortion
Over the long decades of debate about legal abortion in the United States, there are only a few constants. One of them has been that the Congress will not compel the American people to finance abortions for the poor, federal employees, members of the military, beneficiaries of the Indian Health Service, and other public insurance programs.
Expanding State and Federal Support for Decisions for Life
The provision of alternatives to abortion has been the hallmark of the U.S. pro-life movement since the founding of the first pregnancy help centers more than a half century ago. Ever since, and accelerating after the mid-1980s, PHCs, as the centers are known by shorthand, have rapidly expanded their personnel, volunteers, and services.
AP Bans ‘Crisis Pregnancy Centers,’ Directs Journalists to Use Negative Term Instead
“[Pregnancy help centers] help everyone and their doors are open to women who seek counseling and support after all forms of pregnancy loss,” Donovan said. “It is well past time that the AP Guide’s authors visit some of the thousands of thriving centers everywhere in the U.S. and get the guide back to a standard of high-quality reportorial content and ethics.”
Pro-lifers set for 50th March for Life after fall of Roe v Wade
"Where once we dreamed of passing laws and public policies to save the lives of the unborn, now we have dozens of states across the country, as well as opportunities at the federal level, where the steps we take will mean life or death for millions of babies as well as support or neglect for their mothers."
Suppressing the Science: Politicians are doing the abortion industry’s dirty work.
What does it say about America if our leading cultural institutions, such as a major political party and their legions of allies in the media, do the abortion industry’s dirty work by ignoring or suppressing the science? What does it say about us if we let them?
Since Dobbs, Pro-Life Laws Have Already Saved 10,000 Unborn Lives And Counting
While the WeCount data can’t be independently verified, it’s surprising to see the abortion industry finally acknowledge, however grudgingly, that pro-life state laws save lives. The abortion industry often seeks to obscure, deny, or ignore research that challenges its position.
Expanding State and Federal Support for Decisions for Life
The provision of alternatives to abortion has been the hallmark of the U.S. pro-life movement since the founding of the first pregnancy help centers more than a half century ago. Ever since, and accelerating after the mid-1980s, PHCs, as the centers are known by shorthand, have rapidly expanded their personnel, volunteers, and services.
Rest in Eternal Light: Sister Paula Vandegaer
“Greater love hath no man than this,” says John 15:13, “that a man lay down his life for his friends.” As with the parable of the Good Samaritan, so often that great love is lain down for those who are strangers – one’s “not yet” friends. So it was with the Sister Paula Vandegaer, a pioneering nun devoted to the sanctity of every life and to walking alongside women considering abortion. Sister Paula passed away in Los Angeles, California, on August 13 at age 82.