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By Jenni Fink
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Families struggling to afford fertility treatment may be eligible for grants of up to $15,000 through a new funding program aimed at helping cover the high cost of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and other fertility-related expenses.
IVF has become a political issue as the declining birth rate in the United States has dropped so low that it's sparked concerns about the continued longevity of America's social programs. The Trump administration has tried to lower costs for IVF by reducing the price of medications, but with medical procedures costing thousands of dollars, many families still have to take on a significant financial burden to go through the process.
Several foundations offer grants to help people struggling with infertility finance IVF, but it requires adults to apply and there are limited spots available.
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One grant comes from The Stork Foundation, with applications open from August 1 until September 30. The grant offers financial assistance to individuals and couples seeking fertility treatment. The nonprofit says infertility affects one in six people globally, while the cost of treatment remains out of reach for many Americans.
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"Unfortunately, the demand for financial assistance continues to far exceed the funding available, highlighting the growing affordability crisis surrounding infertility treatment in the United States," the foundation told Newsweek.
The organization said size of the grant is awarded on the basis of financial need and can be used for a range of fertility-related medical expenses. The average grant has been about $10,000 but can be as high as $15,000. The nonprofit is expecting to award up to $150,000 in grants during this application cycle.
"Because we are a donor-funded nonprofit, the total number of grants awarded each cycle depends entirely on the generosity of our donors," the foundation said. "This grant cycle, we anticipate awarding $100,000-$150,000 in grants, which we expect will help approximately 10-15 families pursue fertility treatment. If additional funds are raised during the application period, we hope to increase that total and help even more families."
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How to Apply for The Stork Foundation Grant
Applications are open through September 30 and must be submitted electronically through the foundation's application portal. There is no fee to apply. Applications are reviewed after the deadline and are not considered on a first-come, first-served basis. Instead, reviewers consider factors including financial need, medical documentation and applicants' personal stories.
According to the foundation, applicants generally must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a household income of $150,000 or less
- Be legal U.S. residents
- Have a documented infertility diagnosis from a doctor, be recently diagnosed with cancer or a same-sex couple
- Have little or no fertility insurance coverage, or submit to insurance first and then use the grant
- Begin treatment within six months of receiving a grant and all funds must be used within one year.
Applicants must also submit a personal essay describing their fertility journey and provide supporting medical documentation from their fertility specialist.
The foundation says grant recipients are typically notified by mid-November.
How Much Does IVF Cost?
The price of IVF varies considerably depending on location, clinic and patient circumstances, but most estimates place the cost of a single treatment cycle in the five-figure range.
The Stork Foundation notes that an individual IVF cycle can cost up to $15,000 and is frequently not covered by traditional health insurance plans.
Industry estimates suggest that when medications, monitoring, genetic testing and embryo storage are included, a complete IVF cycle can cost between roughly $15,000 and $30,000 or more. Multiple cycles can be necessary before achieving a successful pregnancy.
That financial burden has increasingly become part of a broader political debate. In February 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing his administration to explore ways to expand access to IVF and reduce out-of-pocket costs for families seeking fertility treatment.
What's Difference Between IVF and IUI?
IVF and intrauterine insemination (IUI) are two of the most common fertility treatments, but they differ significantly in complexity and cost.
IUI is considered a less invasive and less expensive first-line treatment. During an IUI procedure, specially prepared sperm is placed directly into the uterus around the time of ovulation to increase the likelihood of fertilization. The average cost for IUI ranges from $500 to $4,000, significantly less than the cost of IVF.
IVF involves several additional steps. Patients take fertility medications to stimulate egg production, undergo an egg retrieval procedure, have eggs fertilized in a laboratory, then transfer one or more embryos into the uterus.
Because IVF involves laboratory fertilization and additional medical procedures, it tends to have substantially higher success rates for some infertility diagnoses but is also considerably more expensive.
How to Get Discounts on IVF
Along with The Stork Foundation, there are several other grants people can apply for. The Cade Foundation Family Building Grant has applications open until September 5. Journey to Parenthood offers a grant for IVF and is taking applications until October 12.
For families who do not qualify for grants, fertility specialists say there are several ways to reduce costs.
Many clinics offer refund programs, package pricing for multiple IVF cycles and financing options. Patients may also qualify for medication discount programs through pharmaceutical companies, which can substantially reduce the cost of fertility drugs. Using TrumpRX, people can save up to $2,200 on medications per cycle, according to the White House.
Some fertility centers participate in compassionate care programs that provide discounts based on household income. Through a compassionate care program, people can receive up to 75 percent off medications for an IVF cycle.
Prospective patients are also encouraged to review state insurance laws carefully. Several states require insurers to provide some level of infertility coverage, though the scope of those mandates varies widely.
For hopeful parents facing infertility, financial assistance programs such as The Stork Foundation grants can provide critical support. But the foundation says the need continues to outpace available resources, underscoring the challenges many families face when trying to build or grow their families.
"Our hope is to continue expanding the number of grants we can award each year as donor support grows," the foundation said.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Jenni Fink and Dave Siminoff.
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