Donations spotlight: Support Abortion Care Network in its work to defend independent abortion providers

Note from the CREDO Mobile team: This February, Abortion Care Network is among three amazing groups that will receive a share of our monthly grant. Funding from the CREDO Mobile community will be vital to the nonprofit as it works to support independent abortion providers and ensure access to safe, compassionate abortion.

 Read this important blog post from Abortion Care Network, then visit CREDO Donations and cast your vote to help send much-needed grant money to the group to assist its efforts—and the efforts of our other outstanding February grantees.

Experience tells us that we are facing four years of devastating blows to our human rights and public health, and that the harm will extend for decades. The 2024 election also made it crystal clear that abortion is popular and people want access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare in their states. But this is only possible when independent abortion clinics are open, well-supported and thriving.

Independent abortion clinics are the leading providers of abortion care in the United States but they’re often under-resourced and under-recognized for their work.

Ensuring a future for abortion access

Abortion Care Network is a nonprofit network of independent abortion clinics and their allies. We are dedicated to building a sustainable future for abortion access by resourcing, connecting and celebrating independent abortion clinics and their allies. We do this by:

• Supporting independent providers: We equip clinics with the tools and resources they need to offer dignified, respectful care and keep their doors open.
• Changing the conversation: Abortion stigma is prevalent. With support from Abortion Care Network, abortion providers are telling their stories and shifting the conversation on what it means to provide abortion care in increasingly hostile conditions.
• Cultivating a strong community: We ensure that independent clinics have a network of solidarity, support and resources to draw from.

Today there are unjust, politically imposed abortion bans and restrictions in 41 states. In 14 of those states, bans are so severe that every abortion clinic has been forced to close or stop providing abortion care, particularly in the South and Midwest. Independent abortion clinics provide the majority of abortion care and are the only clinics providing abortion care after 26 weeks of pregnancy.

You can learn more in our Communities Need Clinics report, which details the role that independent abortion clinics play in ensuring abortion access in the U.S., the barriers they face and how you can take action to support these essential providers.

Supporting Independent Abortion Clinics

In addition to providing the majority of abortion care in the U.S., independent providers operate the majority of abortion clinics in those states that are most politically hostile to abortion access. Wherever they’re located, independent clinics are centers of care in their communities, often delivering a breadth of sexual and reproductive health services and working with abortion funds and practical support organizations to ensure that services are available to those with the fewest resources. They are bold advocates in their states—often fighting for and ensuring the legal right to access abortion.

Because of abortion bans, anti-abortion violence and increasing financial challenges, clinics have been forced to close their doors, uproot and lay off staff and stop providing trusted, community-based abortion and other healthcare.

Across the U.S., indie clinics are often the last line of defense, providing care when and where others do not, helping people navigate an increasingly confusing and sparse landscape of care and challenging abortion bans in the courts. Entire regions depend on independent clinics for care. And these clinics are facing increasing pressure as anti-abortion extremism, abortion bans and financial challenges increase.

Being there for each other

The road ahead will be hard and it will be unfairly hard for those who are already marginalized—including trans people, Black and Indigenous people, people of color, immigrants and anyone experiencing state violence. But we do know this: we will be there for each other. We will find new, bold ways of taking care of one another and we will stand together, even when the path forward is unclear.

Independent abortion clinics are the backbone of the movement for abortion access. They were built for these times—showing up every day to provide essential care and support to their communities, even in the most difficult circumstances. Supporting these providers and keeping clinic doors open is critical if we want to protect and expand access to abortion care in the U.S.

Together with independent clinics and their allies, we are resolute. We won’t stop fighting, we won’t stop caring. But we need you with us. Learn more and sign up to stay connected at Abortion Care Network.

You can still get an abortion in the U.S. Find a clinic and get help accessing care at I Need an A or text 202 883–4620 to find a clinic near you.