Equal Rights Institute

The Equal Rights Institute is a U.S. nonprofit organization based in Concord, North Carolina, with tax-exempt status granted in July 2014. It operates under the EIN 46-5687557. The organization is categorized under the Human Services sector, focusing on multipurpose and other nonmonetary support, and its activities are aligned with pro-life advocacy.

Mission and Vision

The institute's primary mission is to train pro-life advocates to think clearly, reason honestly, and argue persuasively. It aims to equip individuals with innovative pro-life apologetics designed to resonate with pro-choice individuals by emphasizing the equality of all persons, including the unborn. ERI emphasizes a relational approach that encourages gracious dialogue with pro-choice individuals, promoting understanding and empathy.

Their vision includes creating high-quality content accessible to both religious and secular sectors of the pro-life movement. They strive to model respectful dialogue and promote top-down change at national, state, and local levels.

Activities and Programs

ERI utilizes various media and platforms to achieve its goals, including speaking engagements, writing, YouTube videos, podcasts, and online courses. Two notable online courses are the Equipped for Life and the Sidewalk Counseling Masterclass. The organization has been involved in extensive outreach efforts on college campuses and has spoken to over 30,000 people across four countries and 28 states.

Leadership and Financials

Josh Brahm serves as the organization's president and co-founder. Brahm has a long-standing commitment to the pro-life movement, having worked in it since he was 18. Under his leadership, ERI has received recognition for its efforts, including the Defender of Life Award in 2016.

In recent years, the institute's financial activities have included significant contributions from donors, with a focus on educating and training pro-life advocates. The organization's financial reports show a mix of program services and contributions as primary sources of revenue.

Impact and Reach

ERI's impact is measured through its extensive outreach and engagement. As of recent reports, their blog has been visited by over 309,000 unique readers, and their YouTube channel has garnered hundreds of thousands of video views. This engagement reflects their commitment to making pro-life discussions more accessible and persuasive.

ERI's approach emphasizes the importance of individual conversations in changing attitudes toward abortion, aiming to build a pro-life majority through respectful and informed dialogue.