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Three days after pulling its funding for cancer screenings from Planned Parenthood, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation on Friday apologized for the decision and announced it is reversing course.

"Our only goal for our granting process is to support women and families in the fight against breast cancer," Nancy G. Brinker, founder and CEO of the foundation, said in a statement. "Amending our criteria will ensure that politics has no place in our grant process. We will continue to fund existing grants, including those of Planned Parenthood, and preserve their eligibility to apply for future grants, while maintaining the ability of our affiliates to make funding decisions that meet the needs of their communities."

The cancer charity initially announced it was pulling funding for the women's health organization because Planned Parenthood is the subject of investigations by Republican members of Congress for allegedly using federal dollars toward providing abortions. The Komen Foundation said its decision was not political, and in her statement today, Brinker maintained that it was not about politics.

"Our original desire was to fulfill our fiduciary duty to our donors by not funding grant applications made by organizations under investigation," she said.

Brinker said in her statement that the Komen Foundation is amending the criteria of its new policy to make clear that it will only bar funding for organizations under investigation if that investigation is "criminal and conclusive in nature and not political."

The Komen Foundation's decision to cut ties with Planned Parenthood spurred a strong backlash against the charity. Online, groups opposed to the decision drew tens of thousands of supporters, and in Washington,more than two dozen senators called on the Komen Foundation to reverse its decision. Planned Parenthood also saw a surge in donations in response to the news.

Brinker said the events of this week have been "deeply unsettling" for Komen supporters.

"We want to apologize to the American public for recent decisions that cast doubt upon our commitment to our mission of saving women's lives," she said.

Brinker said that the Komen Foundation will communicate with its key supporters and its network of local chapters starting today to refocus its attention on its mission.

In a statement, Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards said she was "heartened" that the "treasured relationship" between Planned Parenthood and the Komen Foundation remains in tact.

Planned Parenthood received roughly $680,000 worth of Komen grants in 2011 for breast cancer screenings and preventative education. Planned Parenthood helps the Komen Foundation reach under-served communities like low-income women and minorities.

"What these past few days have demonstrated is the deep resolve all Americans share in the fight against cancer, and we honor those who are at the helm of this battle," Richards said. "During the last week, millions spontaneously joined a national conversation about lifesaving breast cancer prevention care and reinforced shared values about access to health care for all. This compassionate outcry in support of those most in need rose above political, ideological, and cultural divides, and will surely be recognized as one of our nation's better moments during a contentious political time."