Dear friends,
We find ourselves in a volatile period for reproductive freedom. Four years after the Dobbs decision and nearly two years into Trump 2.0, we’re seeing relentless attacks on abortion and contraception in the United States and the weaponization of American foreign aid to spread anti-choice ideology abroad. These threats have been supercharged by the rampant spread of disinformation and the silencing of science and scientists.
In such an environment, impact is hard-won and even harder to sustain. That’s why I’m so proud of what our team at Guttmacher has accomplished this year together with our partners. With this report, we’re excited to share some of the many ways in which we’ve been able to make a meaningful impact in 2026. In the report, you’ll learn how we have:
• Protected evidence-based policies on medication abortion, even in the face of anti-abortion politicians and activists who are hellbent on eliminating access;
• Exposed misinformation and false narratives, such as the unfounded claim that medication abortion is polluting drinking water;
• Launched innovative tools like our Safe Abortion Calculator, which puts the power of Guttmacher data into the hands of advocates around the world and enables them to customize evidence to their needs and their context;
• Published timely research together with partners in countries like Ethiopia, using our equitable partnership framework and tools;
• Shaped media narratives and public discourse by placing our evidence and expert perspectives in high-profile media outlets;
• Brought our expertise to bear at state policy tables, federal advocacy coalitions and the Supreme Court.
You’ll also learn about our new 2026–2029 Strategic Plan, which will serve as our North Star over the coming three years. The plan applies Guttmacher’s unique strengths and expertise to the most pressing challenges we face, with a focus on building out our state-focused work, disrupting mis- and disinformation, strengthening global partnerships, and driving digital innovation to make our data even more accessible and impactful.
None of this would be possible without Guttmacher’s extraordinary staff, whose dedication and expertise is behind all the progress described in this report, nor without the leadership of our Board members who volunteer their time, talents and resources to ensure that we can deliver on our mission. I want to express special thanks to two individuals featured in the report: Susheela Singh, whose contributions across her remarkable 40+ years molded Guttmacher into the organization we are today; and Destiny Lopez, whose tremendous co-leadership helped set the vision for the organization we aspire to be going forward.
Finally, to our donors and partners: thank you. In times like these, your steadfast support is what allows us to stand up for science and evidence and advance reproductive autonomy. Although we face serious challenges at this moment, with you beside us I remain hopeful about the future.
With appreciation,
Jonathan Wittenberg
President and CEO, Guttmacher Institute