Funding my Journey
Amidst all of the heartache and struggles that infertility brings there is another dark factor that looms over most couples – FUNDING. The hard truth is that most insurance plans do not provide coverage for infertility treatments and diagnoses and the infertility industry is a 4 BILLION dollar industry. ICFI aims to assist families in identifying ways to cut costs and budget for their journey. Here are just a few things to look into to start planning:
The ICFI Tait Grant
ICFI has been afforded the opportunity to provide one-time grants in varying amounts to families in need. When a Tait Grant is available, the link above will take you to the application and the grant requirements. When the link is not active, a Tait Grant is not currently available. Completed applications should be e-mailed to Macara.
The Cade Foundation Family Building Grant
The Tinina Q. Cade Foundation has been providing Family Building Grants since 2007 for couples struggling with infertility. These grants provide up to $10,000 per couple for fertility treatment or domestic adoption. In 2008 and 2009, two Indiana couples were blessed with the Cade Family Building grant and had successful pregnancies since. These two families continue to fundraise in Indiana for future grants and couples who are still struggling! (Check out the local website at www.indianacadefoundation.com for local events.) Information for the 2013 grant process will be available soon!
Parenthood for Me, Inc. Adoption and Medical Grants
Co-founders Erica Walther Schlaefer and A.J. Schlaefer are adoptive parents who went through years of infertility treatments. After their journey, they started Parenthood for Me. Their goal is to provide emotional support, educational tools, and financial support to those adopting or pursuing Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) to try and conceive. They hope to ease some of the burden bestowed on people who desperately want to be parents. Grants will be available again in January 2013. Visit their website for more information.
IVF Scholarships from INCIID
INCIID has arranged for a number of respected IVF clinics in the U.S. to donate their expertise and state-of-the-art facilities so that patients who do not have the financial resources may have the opportunity to build a family. The program will cover most of the basic IVF expenses.
Couples with financial and medical need may be eligible for participation in the program.
Help Us Adopt
Building families one adoption at a time, this organization provides grants to couples and individuals seeking to adopt. Applications for the next cycle are due April 12th, 2013!
National Adoption Foundation
Offering a unique approach to your funding your adoption, NAF allows you to register for OneCause and fundraise for your costs! They also provide grant opportunities.
Hand in Hand Christian Adoption, Inc.
Taking another unique approach to funding your adoption, this organization provides matching grants alongside your fundraising efforts.
Gift of Adoption Foundation
A national charitable organization that inspires adoption by providing grants to qualified parents – giving children who need families a permanent home and a chance to thrive.
The Lost Stork Foundation
A newer organization that plans to start providing funding to families soon! Grants will become available in the spring of 2013!
Infertility Research Studies Accepting New Patients
Use the above website to search for infertility research studies that are currently accepting applications/patients. It is an affordable (often “free”) way to obtain treatments that you might not otherwise be able to afford! Don’t limit yourself to just Indiana, there are many more studies happening in our surrounding states such as Michigan, Illinois and Ohio. And check back often as they are constantly changing!
IHR
Another site that tracks infertility and IVF research studies.
Recommended Studies:
http://www.ivfclinicaltrial.com/
Budgeting for Infertility
We recommend this book to everyone we come across. Written by two professional women who themselves struggled with infertility, it has an emotional side but is incredibly educational and easy to understand.
