Gift of Parenthood

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything about fundraising, donating, and the grant program — in one place.

Fundraising & Donations

Getting Started

How do I start a fundraiser?

Click 'Start a Fundraiser' and create an account. You'll be guided through setting up your fundraiser with a story, photos, and a fundraising goal. It only takes a few minutes to get started.

Is there a fee to create a fundraiser?

No — creating a fundraiser is completely free. Fees only apply when donations come in (see 'What fees are charged on donations?' below).

How long can my fundraiser run?

As long as you need. Your fundraiser stays live — and can keep receiving donations even after you pass your goal — until you choose to close it from your dashboard.

Donations & Payments

How do donors make payments?

Donors can contribute using credit/debit cards or other supported payment methods through our secure Stripe payment integration. No account is needed to donate, and donors can choose to give anonymously.

When can I withdraw my funds?

You can request a payout anytime once your available balance is above the minimum (currently $10) and you've connected your bank via Stripe. Each request is reviewed by our team, and approved payouts typically arrive in your bank account within a few business days.

What fees are charged on donations?

A 3% platform fee plus standard payment processing (2.9% + $0.30 per transaction) is deducted from each donation; the rest goes to the fundraiser. Donors can also add an optional tip, which supports the platform and never reduces the amount going to the fundraiser.

Are donations tax-deductible?

Gift of Parenthood is not a 501(c)(3) organization, so donations are generally not tax-deductible. We recommend consulting with a tax advisor for specific guidance.

Grant Program

Eligibility & Applying

What is the Gift of Parenthood Grant Program?

The Gift of Parenthood Grant Program provides up to $80,000 in funding annually to help with fertility treatments, adoption, surrogacy, and other family-related expenses. This program is designed to ease financial burdens while fostering community support and open dialogue.

The program is funded by:

Community Donations: Contributions from individuals, families, businesses, and organizations who believe in supporting others on their family-building journey.

Fundraising Events: Charity galas, auctions, walkathons, and online campaigns help raise awareness and strengthen the program.

Without this collective generosity, the Gift of Parenthood Grant Program would not be possible.

Who is eligible to apply?

The Gift of Parenthood Grant Program embraces diversity. Grants are open to heterosexual couples, same-sex couples, and individuals.

What are the eligibility requirements for the grant?

To be eligible for our grant program, you must:

  • Be 18 years or older
  • Provide documentation of your infertility journey
  • Demonstrate financial need
  • Complete the full application process

We welcome applicants regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or relationship status.

Do applicants need to meet health requirements?

Yes. Applicants must be in good physical and mental health, with no conditions that would put them—or, in the case of female applicants, the child they may carry—at serious risk.

Do I need to show proof of financial stability?

Yes. At least one partner (or the individual applicant) must be employed and able to demonstrate the means to provide ongoing child support.

Is health insurance required?

Yes. Applicants must have basic health insurance with sufficient prenatal coverage for mother and baby. We generally do not provide grants to those with extensive fertility insurance coverage.

Can I receive help from other organizations at the same time?

We generally do not provide grants to those already receiving significant financial assistance from other charities. However, clinic discounts and bank loans do not affect eligibility.

How do I apply for the Gift of Parenthood Grant Program?

Applications are submitted directly through our Grant Program portal, available via the "Grant Program" link in the top navigation.

Here's how the process works:

1. Start your application through the Grant Program portal.
2. Complete the full application form, including eligibility details and required documentation.
3. Answer a few short questions about your family-building journey and financial situation.
4. Your application will be carefully reviewed by the Gift of Parenthood Grant Review Board during the next quarterly cycle.
5. If selected, you will be notified and guided through the next steps to receive funding.

What types of treatments and procedures are covered?

The Gift of Parenthood Grant Program may fund a variety of family-building paths, including:

  • In vitro fertilization (IVF)
  • Egg and sperm donation
  • Embryo donation
  • Egg freezing
  • Gestational surrogacy
  • Adoption
  • IVF with PGD/PGT (genetic testing)
How can I receive financial assistance from Gift of Parenthood?

You can receive support in two ways:

1. By applying to the Gift of Parenthood Grant Program, which provides up to $20,000 in funding each quarter.

2. By exploring financing options through our Apply for Financing portal, designed to help bridge financial gaps for those beginning or continuing their family-building journey.

Timeline & Cycles

Does the Gift of Parenthood Grant Program reimburse procedures that have already started?

No. Grants cannot be used for treatment that began prior to award notification.

What is the quarterly timeline for applications?

Our grant cycles run quarterly:

Q1 (Winter): January 1 - March 31, Results by April 15
Q2 (Spring): April 1 - June 30, Results by July 15
Q3 (Summer): July 1 - September 30, Results by October 15
Q4 (Fall): October 1 - December 31, Results by January 15

Applications must be submitted and paid for during the open quarter. Late applications will be considered for the next available cycle.

When will the grant recipients be announced?

Recipients are announced on or around the 1st of every quarter. You can always find the official announcement date by checking your account Dashboard.

How soon must I begin treatment if I receive a grant?

Recipients are expected to begin treatment within three months of receiving their award.

Selection Process

How does the selection process work?

Our selection process is based on a scoring rubric applied by our independent advisory board. Reviewers evaluate each anonymized application based on criteria such as:

* Clarity of Need
* Medical Readiness/Feasibility
* Potential Impact
* Financial Need

We review applications holistically, considering your story, need, and plan for using the grant funds.

Who chooses the grant recipients?

All applications are reviewed and selected by the Gift of Parenthood Grant Review Board.

For fairness and transparency, the following individuals are not eligible to participate:

  • Employees, officers, directors, or agents of Gift of Parenthood
  • Partners, related companies, agencies, or agents
  • Immediate family members (spouse, parents, siblings, children, grandparents) of the above
  • Individuals living in the same household as any of the above
How will awards be distributed?

Awards can be distributed in two ways:

Directly to your healthcare provider – Funds may be sent to your clinic or provider to cover current or future treatments and medical expenses.

Into an active fundraising campaign – If you have a campaign on our platform with real donations and engagement, funds can be deposited there to help build additional community support.

This policy ensures that support goes directly toward genuine, active efforts to build or grow a family.

Grant Fund Contributions

Why is there a grant fund contribution?

Your grant fund contribution directly supports families on their journey to parenthood. Here's how your contribution helps:

  • Fund the grant pool so we can award more families each cycle
  • Maintain our platform and technology infrastructure
  • Support our review process with qualified advisory board members
  • Cover administrative costs for payment processing and communications

We keep contributions as low as possible while ensuring we can provide a thorough and fair review process for all applicants.

What is the $75 grant fund contribution?

The $75 Single-Cycle Grant Fund Contribution goes directly into the grant fund to help support future recipients. This contribution is nonrefundable and does not influence the selection process in any way. Every applicant who contributes is helping fund the next family's journey.

Can I nominate someone and cover their contribution?

Yes! You can choose to gift a $75 single-cycle contribution or a $250 four-cycle pass. Your nominee will receive an email invite to accept the gift and create an account. They have 90 days to accept. To protect privacy, you will not see their application details.

Four-Cycle Pass

Can I apply more than once?

Yes. Applicants may apply up to four times per year. Each application requires the $75 grant fund contribution and updated forms.

What is the $250 Four-Cycle Pass?

The $250 Four-Cycle Pass is a convenient way to pre-pay for four application submissions over a 12-month period. This saves you money compared to contributing for each cycle individually. The pass is tied to your account, is nontransferable, and unused redemptions expire after 12 months. Like the single-cycle contribution, it has no effect on selection outcomes.

What are the benefits of the Four-Cycle Pass?

The Four-Cycle Pass offers several advantages:

  • Cost savings: $250 for 4 applications vs $300 if contributing individually
  • Flexibility: Use within any 4 quarters over 12 months
  • Peace of mind: No need to re-contribute if not selected
  • Priority consideration: Demonstrated commitment to the process

If you're planning to apply multiple times or want to ensure you can reapply if needed, the pass provides the best value.

Privacy

Do I have to submit a photo or go public about my infertility journey if I win the grant?

No — you do not. Your journey is deeply personal, and we will always respect your right to privacy. Sharing your story or photo is never a requirement to receive funding.

At the same time, the mission of the Gift of Parenthood Grant Program is to help break the stigma around infertility by creating a community where stories are shared and voices are heard. When recipients choose to share their experiences, it helps normalize the conversation, reduces isolation, and inspires others who may be struggling in silence.

Whether you share publicly or keep your story private, you are still an important part of the Gift of Parenthood community, and we are honored to support you. If you have concerns or wish to discuss how we can best honor your preferences, please reach out to us directly.

How do you protect my privacy during the review process?

We take privacy seriously:

  • Anonymous Review: Reviewers see anonymized applications without identifying information
  • Secure Storage: All data is encrypted and stored securely
  • Limited Access: Only authorized personnel can access full applications
  • No Public Sharing: Your information is never shared publicly without explicit consent

Reviewers only see your story and relevant details needed for evaluation, not your name, contact information, or other identifying details.

Account & Security

How do I reset my password?

Click 'Forgot Password' on the login page and enter your email address. You'll receive a password reset link within a few minutes.

Is my personal information secure?

Yes. We use industry-standard encryption and security practices to protect your data. We never share your personal information with third parties without your consent.

Can I delete my account?

Yes. Contact our support team to request account deletion. Please note that active fundraisers must be closed and all funds withdrawn before deletion.

Ready to apply for a grant? Visit the Grant Program →

Still have a question? Contact us — a real person will get back to you.