Undergoing infertility treatments can cause not only physical and emotional stress, but can bring financial strains as well. Fertility treatment costs, particularly IVF, can add up. In order to help off-set the cost of these treatments, a number of foundations and organizations provide fertility treatment grants and other financial assistance.
National Programs
The LIVESTRONG Fertility Discount Program
The LIVESTRONG Fertility Program provides fertility preservation assistance to couples whose fertility may be affected by treatments for cancer. The program helps with sperm banking and egg and embryo freezing. Through a partnership with EMD Serono, the program also offers free medications for women.
The program doesn’t provide grants to the patients, but instead works with companies and clinics to provide discounted services and donated medications for male and female cancer patients.
Eligibility: In order to be eligible, male cancer patients must have an annual adjusted gross income of $101,000 or less if single or $130,000 if married, have a diagnosis of cancer, and limited (if any) insurance coverage for sperm cryopreservation. Female cancer patients must have an annual adjusted gross income of $130,000 or less if single or $170,000 if married, have a diagnosis of cancer, and limited (if any) insurance coverage for egg or embryo freezing.
Application Process: Patients and couples can apply online at https://www.livestrong.org/what-we-do/program/fertility
The Tinina Q. Cade Foundation
Since 2005, the Tinina Q. Cade Foundation helps couples by providing grants to those struggling with infertility. Their Family Building Grant, which has a limit of $10,000 per family, helps couples pay for fertility treatment costs associated with fertility treatments or domestic adoption. Grants are issued twice a year, in the spring and fall. The Cade Foundation also offers two separate grants for patients of Shady Grove Fertility in Maryland.
Eligibility: In order to be eligible, applicants must have documented infertility, be legal, permanent residents of the United States, and submit the grant application with the $50 processing fee.
Application Process: The three-part application must also include a detailed plan on how the applicants will contribute financially to their fertility treatments. Completed applications and fees are due on February 1 for spring selection and July 1 for fall selection. More details at https://cadefoundation.org/
Regional Programs
The JFCS Fertility Fund: A Gift from the Heart
Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia (JFCS) is a 161-year-old non-profit organization. They created The Fertility Fund: A Gift from the Heart, which helps individuals and families who are confronted with infertility and the financial burden of fertility treatments that are not covered by insurance.
Eligibility: Applicants must be Jewish and reside in the Greater Philadelphia Region.
Application Process: Grants are awarded ongoing, to apply call 866.JFCS.NOW.
The Madeleine Gordon Gift of Life Foundation
Since 1995, the Madeleine Gordon Gift of Life Foundation helps couples in the greater Cincinnati area afford IVF treatments.
Eligibility: In order to be considered for aid, couples must be married for at least two years, have no children together, and have not previously undergone any IVF treatments. They must have a demonstrated need for IVF, be in good health, and have a combined gross family income of less than $120,000.
Eligible couples must live within 15 miles of I-275 loop in the Cincinnati area and both must have lived there for no fewer than 3 years prior to applying.
Application Process: To be considered, couples must mail a photo along with a letter detailing their circumstances to the foundation to :
The Madeleine Gordon Gift of Life Foundation
P.O. Box 6945
Cincinnati, OH 45206
The Angels of Hope Foundation – IVF Grant
Twice a year, in April and September, the Angels of Hope Foundation dispenses its Creating Miracles Grant to financially burdened couples in Illinois who need fertility treatments to conceive a child.
Eligibility: In order to be selected, applicants must be legally married and living in Will or Grundy counties in Illinois.
Applicants must have little or no insurance coverage. Preference is given to couples who do not already have children living in their home, who are early on in their fertility treatments, and who have a high likelihood for a successful outcome, as indicated by medical reports.
Application Process: Interested applicants must complete an application and include a letter from their doctor, a medical records release, and a financial statement. Application deadlines are March 31 and August 31. More details are at http://angelsofhopeinc.org/infertility/infertility-grants/
Bundle of Joy Fund
The Samantha and Kyle Busch Bundle of Joy Fund is dedicated to advocating for infertility education and awareness and removing financial barriers by granting monetary awards to couples who require fertility treatments to have their own bundle of joy.
Eligibility: Applicants must have a diagnosis of infertility from the REACH Clinic of Charlotte and must be a legal permanent US resident in North or South Carolina.
Application Process: All applications may be obtained and submitted through the REACH Clinic of Charlotte after an initial consultation. More details are at https://bundleofjoyfund.org/bundle-of-joy/
Sparkles of Life
Sparkles of Life, Inc., is a Texas-based non-profit organization dedicated to supporting families on their paths to parenthood, including educating and supporting women through the IVF process. In partnership with the Houston Fertility Center, the organization’s Vivere-Garden of Life Grant helps to cover up to 33 percent of the cost of one IVF treatment (not including medications) performed by the Houston Fertility Institute.
Eligibility: The Garden of Life Grant is awarded to couples who demonstrate a documented need for fertility treatment. Recipients must participate in Sparkles of Life fundraising and advocacy events.
Application Process: Each couple applying must submit the following materials: a completed application form, a statement of need letter; current financial records, and a $100 application fee. More details are at http://www.sparklesoflife.org/ivf-grant/.
Dr. Alan Copperman is a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist with a long history of success in treating infertility and applying fertility preservation technologies. He serves as Medical Director of Progyny, a leading fertility benefits management company, and co-founded and serves as Medical Director of RMA of New York, one of the largest and most prestigious IVF centers in the country. Dr. Copperman is also the Vice Chairman and Director of Infertility for the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and Chief Medical Officer of Sema4, a health information company. Dr. Copperman has been named to New York magazine’s list of Best Doctors 17 years in a row. He has been recognized by his peers and patient advocacy organizations for his commitment to patient-focused and data-driven care. He has published more than 100 original manuscripts and book chapters on reproductive medicine and has co-authored over 300 scientific abstracts on infertility, in vitro fertilization, egg freezing, ovum donation, and reproductive genetics.