Guest blog by Chris Saviano.
It’s often not an easy decision for couple or individuals to pursue infertility treatments — and that’s even before taking cost into account. A 2010 study by researchers from the University of California, San Francisco, determined that costs range from a low of about $1,200 for medication-only treatment, to about $24,400 for in vitro fertilization (IVF) using the woman’s own eggs and $38,000 for IVF using donated eggs, according to a Forbes report.
With a success rate of around 50%, infertility treatments are an expensive gamble — and a gamble many people choose not to take for financial reasons alone. But there are a number of national organizations sympathetic to the financial medical billing challenges faced by people who pursue infertility treatments. These organizations offer a wide range of grants, scholarships and other methods of support.
Here is basic information on just some the programs, listed in alphabetical order by organization name. If you are eligible and interested in applying, make note of upcoming deadlines. Note: The details in this report provide a brief overview of the programs. Make sure to closely review program requirements before applying.
AGC Scholarships
About: AGC Scholarships, established in 2010, describes itself as a “nonprofit group committed to providing both advocacy and scholarships for the over 5 million couples in the United States struggling with infertility.”
Scholarship details: AGC states that the number of scholarships awarded and the value of the award depends on the financial need of the recipient(s). AGC does not have a set number of scholarships.
Eligibility: Must have a diagnosis of infertility, be over 18 years of age and a U.S. citizen.
Application details: Applicants will be asked to complete a confidential application describing their infertility history, personal situation and financial need.
Deadline: Visit the AGC website or follow AGC on Facebook or Twitter for information on deadlines. AGC states its “application window is always open for 12 weeks.”
Application Fee: $25
More information: To access the application and application FAQs, click here.
American Academy of Adoption Attorney Family Formation Charitable Trust
About: The mission of the American Academy of Adoption Attorney Family Formation Charitable Trust (FFCT) is to “provide financial assistance to those individuals and nonprofit organizations seeking to build families through adoption and assisted reproductive technology.”
Grant details: FFCT grants range from $500 to $2,000. Applications are reviewed by a grant review committee. Grants are awarded two times per year in conjunction with the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys fall conference in October and spring conference in late April/early May. The grant is intended to provide financial assistance for costs generally associated with the adoption and/or assisted reproduction process.
Eligibility: At least one prospective parent must be a U.S. citizen.
Application details: The FFCT requires a series of documents along with a completed application. For family and individual applicants, these documents include a statement outlining the details of the individual adoption or assisted reproductive technology services (ART) procedure or organizational program the applicant is undergoing and why the applicant is seeking assistance; verification of income for individuals in the form of a copy of tax returns from the past two years and either a paystub or letter from employer demonstrating current income; proof of home study (for applicants seeking assistance for an adoption); two personal references for all individual applicants (if not included as part of a home study); and a letter from a physician verifying that the physician is assisting them with assisted reproduction (for applicants seeking assistance for an ART procedure).
Deadline: Applications submitted by September 1 will be considered for the fall grant. Applications submitted by March 1 will be considered for the spring grant.
Application Fee: $25
More information: To access the application and learn more about the application process, click here.
Baby Quest Foundation
About: Baby Quest Foundation, established in 2011, describes itself as a provider of “financial assistance to those who cannot afford the high costs of procedures such as egg and sperm donation, egg freezing, artificial insemination, IVF, embryo donation, and gestational surrogacy.”
Grant details: Grants are awarded twice per year. The number and amount of each grant will vary based upon availability of funds. The grant can be used to cover any expenses associated with assisted reproduction.
Eligibility: All Baby Quest applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Demonstrate overall good physical and mental health and have no medical conditions that would pose a serious risk to themselves or, in the case of females, the child they would carry (e.g. active acute infections)
- Maintain adequate living arrangements (must lease or own a residence)
- Possess means to offer continuing child support (at least one partner must maintain employment)
- Possess basic health insurance for mother and baby with sufficient prenatal coverage
Additional information on requirements can be found here.
Application details: Baby Quest requires a series of documents along with a completed application. These documents include a personal story, copies of insurance card and medical packet completed by a physician.
Deadline: Next grant deadline is May 24, 2017.
Application Fee: $50
More information: To access the application and learn more about the application process, click here.
Tinina Q. Cade Foundation (Cade Foundation)
About: Cade Foundation, established in 2005, describes itself as a 501(c)(3) tax exempt non-profit organization that provides information support and financial assistance to help needy infertile families overcome infertility.
Grant details: The Family Building Grant is an annual award that provides up to $10,000 to needy, infertile families. These grants assist with the costs associated with infertility treatment or domestic adoption. The grant is offered twice per year. The number of applications funded as well as the amount of funding (up to $10,000 per funded family) depends on the success of fundraising activities
Eligibility: Applicants must have a diagnosis of infertility from a doctor and be a citizen or legal permanent U.S. resident.
Application details: Cade Foundation requires a series of documents along with a completed application. These documents include a copy of tax returns, personal statements and a letter or form from a physician.
Deadline: Next grant deadline is July 1, 2017.
Application Fee: $50
More information: To access the application and learn more about the application process, click here.
Footsteps for Fertility Foundation
About: Footsteps for Fertility Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was created to “raise awareness surrounding infertility, and provide grants for those who require fertility treatments such as IVF, frozen embryo transfer (FET) and intrauterine insemination (IUI) through donations and strategic partnerships with fertility clinics.”
Grant details: The Footsteps for Fertility Foundation Grant is awarded to couples who require fertility treatments to have children. Grants are either in-kind donated services from clinical partners or are monetary (typically valued at $5,000 each or less depending on the cost of required treatment). The grant can be applied toward treatments such as IVF, FET or up to three IUI transfers taking place within a 12-month period of time.
At this time, grants are primarily offered in conjunction with “5K Grant Giving Events” — fundraising races held across the United States. Grants are awarded randomly following the 5K race based on monies raised. Footsteps for Fertility Foundation periodically offers a national application, typically with random selection of recipients.
Eligibility: All applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Meet the definition of infertility as defined by SART
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Comply with corresponding terms and conditions
There are additional requirements for 5K event applicants:
- Register for and attend a local event
- Create a team and invite friends and family for support
Application details: Footsteps for Fertility Foundation requires completion of an online application. A physician’s note must be submitted within two weeks of receiving a Footsteps for Fertility Foundation grant that provides a complete explanation of reason for infertility and a diagnosis which states the minimum treatment required for conception.
Deadline: Corresponds with dates of 5K races
Application Fee: $100 per couple for national applications; for a 5K Grant Giving Event, the application is $30, but must be accompanied with an event registration and attendance which is $35 per individual.
More information: To access the application and learn more about the application process, click here.
Note: There are many other funding opportunities available, including several tied to place of residence. These include the Fertility Foundation of Texas (for Central Texas residents), Jewish Family and Children’s Service’s “The Fertility Fund: A Gift From the Heart” (for Jewish individuals and couples in the Philadelphia region), Kevin J. Lederer Life Foundation(for residents in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin or Missouri), and the Pay-It-Forward Foundation(for couples in North Carolina). Taking the time to perform some online research will turn up others likely worth your consideration.
Chris Saviano is a director at PGM and has more than 12 years experience in Corporate Finance and Business Development. Prior to joining PGM, Chris was a member of the Corporate Finance Departments of Lehman Brothers and Societe General Investment Banks in London, where he focused on Debt and Equity Capital Markets transactions in the Healthcare Sector across Europe and the Americas. While not working, Chris enjoys spending time with his son, traveling the world and restoring his historic brownstone.
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