The Changemaker Accreditation Grant

The Changemaker Accreditation Grant was established in honor of the founders of the birth center movement and the current and future changemakers who propel the movement forward. The grant is designed to pay up to 100% of the initial accreditation fee or an accredited birth center’s annual fees due to the Commission for the Accreditation of Birth Centers (CABC). The AABC Foundation has the exclusive authority to determine all grant guidelines, criteria, timelines and awards, and will monitor all grants.

  • To qualify a birth center must have:

    • AABC Birth Center Membership

    • A demonstrated financial hardship to pay 100% of their CABC accreditation fees

    • A demonstrated capacity and a plan to complete the accreditation process with the intent to maintain accreditation.

    • Not received an Accreditation Support Grant in the last three years

    Special consideration will be given to birth centers that demonstrate one or more of the following:

    • A commitment to serving low income birthing people and/or birthing people on Medical Assistance

    • Situated in a rural or low-income area

    • Annual gross revenues of less than $100,000

    • A commitment to foster public education about birth centers

  • Step 1: Download the Changemaker Grant Application Overview

    Step 2: Prepare your application materials

    Step 3: Complete and submit the online grant application

  • The AABC Foundation will review grant applications on a rolling basis. Grants expire one year after issue, so please plan your application to fit into that timeline.

    • Apply by January 1, 2026 to receive a decision by February 28, 2026

    • Apply by March 1, 2026 to receive a decision by April 30, 2026

    • Apply by May 1, 2026 to receive a decision by June 30, 2026

    • Apply by July 1, 2026 to receive a decision by August 31, 2026

    • Apply by September 1, 2026 to receive a decision by October 31, 2026

    • Apply by November 1, 2026 to receive a decision by December 31, 2026

  • Award certificates are issued to birth centers which tell the size of the grant and its purpose. The certificate can be redeemed by sending it to the CABC for use in lieu of payment. CABC then sends the certificate back to AABC Foundation which then pays that amount to CABC. An award certificate expires 365 days from the date of issue and so must be used in that time.