Surrogacy can be expensive. Thankfully there is financial assistance.
The financial burden of gestational surrogacy can make it out of reach for many interested in growing their families this way. There are several grants and financial assistance programs that can help with paying for general fertility services. These can be used to help with IVF and embryo creation, however not all extend to the other needs we have in the gestational surrogacy process. Here is a list of programs that can help specifically with the gestational surrogacy costs or accept male couples or single parents.
Cade Foundation
The Cade Foundation was founded by Drs. Jason and Camille Hammond who named the foundation after their mother who was their gestational carrier. She carried her grand-triplets and delivered at age 55! This non-profit provides grants up to $10,000 per family with recipients selected twice yearly. Recipients need to have documented infertility, so this wouldn’t be useful for people seeking surrogacy for other reasons.
Men Having Babies
Men Having Babies is a non-profit organization supporting gay male family building through education, advocacy, and resources. The Gay Parenting Assistance Program includes discounted and free services through over a hundred IVF, surrogacy, egg donation, pharmacy, escrow and legal service providers. The program also provides cash grants annually totaling over $1 million.
Baby Quest
BabyQuest Foundation is a non-profit that provides grants that can be used to offset the cost of IVF, gestational surrogacy, egg donation etc in the US. BabyQuest supports recipients who are same-sex and singles as well. While people with children can apply, they state that the process strongly favors first time parents. So far they have donated millions of dollars in grants and touched hundreds of lives. Grants are awarded twice yearly – in the spring and fall. You do not have to fundraise as part of this program.
Coalition for Family Building
This Coalition provides both financial assistance grants and IVF cycle grants. Their large variety of grants can be used for adoption, IVF, third party reproduction, cryopreservation, vasectomy reversal etc. They have funding for specific needs such as emergency IVF for people with cancer diagnosis and offer egg freezing for women with endometriosis or other medical conditions that threaten fertility. There are location restrictions for these grants, generally Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Wisconsin or Iowa.
Deborah Frank Memorial Grant needs to be highlighted. It offers $100,000 for all services related to gestational surrogacy!
Family Formation Charitable Trust
The Family Foundation Charitable Trust is a non-profit created by The Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys. Grants range from $500 to $2000 and are awarded twice yearly. Grants support “all types of assisted reproduction services” including gestational and traditional surrogacy, as well as sperm/egg/embryo donation. In addition to usual expenses at fertility clinics, grants can also be applied to legal fees, agency fees, medication costs not covered by insurance. They also do not give preference to certain marital statuses or sexual orientation.
Gift of Parenthood
The Gift of Parenthood was founded in 2019 by Teresa Barbosa, inspired by her own 12 year fertility journey. This non-profit offers financial support and education for couples and individuals receiving fertility treatment. Single applicants and LGBT are also eligible to apply. Awards can be used for a variety of needs including IUI, IVF, sperm and egg donation, egg freezing and surrogacy. Awarded 4 times a year, grants range from $1000 to $15,000.
Journey To Parenthood
Journey To Parenthood was founded by Jennifer Conley (a mother through gestational surrogacy) and Colleen Brierley (A child and family law attorney and a mother of 5 including 3 through adoption). Grants are for up to $10,000 and are dispersed annually. Assisted reproduction treatments like surrogacy, and egg donation in addition to IVF are eligible.
Nest Egg Foundation
Nest Egg Foundation is a Connecticut based non-profit providing financial assistance grants for services at specific local fertility centers. Grants are for services related to IVF only, but this includes cryopreservation, embryo testing, cycle medication, egg or embryo donation and surrogacy. This program is for first time parents. Applicants need to have an infertility diagnosis unless applying as an individual or a same sex couple. Awards are up to $10,000.
Surrogacy is expensive, so having a good budget estimate and plan in place will make it more manageable. If you’re looking for financial assistance with your surrogacy journey, check out these organizations to see if you are eligible to apply.
about
Alyssa is a practicing OBGYN whose personal journey of family building has given her a greater understanding of loss, love, and living.
Recent Post
-
-
How to Ask Someone to Be Your Surrogate
May 4, 2023
-
How to Avoid Common Surrogacy Scams and Fraud
April 28, 2023
-
7 Reasons why surrogacy waitlists are so long
April 18, 2023
-
From selflessness to shocking surrogate expectations
March 23, 2023
