Surrogacy Grants for LGBT+ Families

Why Grants Matter

Surrogacy can cost $100,000 to $150,000+, putting it out of reach for many LGBT+ individuals and couples. Grants and financial assistance programs can significantly reduce this burden, making family building more accessible.

While grants rarely cover the full cost of surrogacy, combining multiple sources of assistance — grants, employer benefits, financing, and savings — can make the journey achievable.

Family-Building Grants

Several organizations offer grants specifically for family building through surrogacy, IVF, and adoption:

• The Cade Foundation Family Building Grant — Awards grants for fertility treatments and family building, open to all intended parents
• Baby Quest Foundation — Provides grants for fertility treatments including IVF and surrogacy
• The Stork Fund — Offers grants and scholarships for fertility treatments
• Pay It Forward Fertility Foundation — Awards grants for IVF and fertility treatments

LGBT+-Specific Programs

Some programs specifically serve the LGBT+ community:

• Family Equality Council resources — Maintains a directory of family-building resources for LGBT+ families
• Men Having Babies — A nonprofit that provides financial assistance and discounted services for gay men pursuing surrogacy, through their Gay Parenting Assistance Program (GPAP)
• Our Surrogacy Journey grants — Periodic grants specifically for LGBT+ intended parents

Agency Discount Programs

Many surrogacy agencies offer their own financial assistance:

• Military discounts (often $2,000–$5,000 off agency fees)
• First responder discounts
• Repeat journey discounts for returning clients
• Referral credits
• Payment plans with no interest

When interviewing agencies, always ask about available discounts and financial assistance programs.

Employer Fertility Benefits

An increasing number of employers offer fertility benefits that can cover significant surrogacy costs:

• Many tech companies offer $25,000–$75,000+ in fertility benefits
• Some companies cover surrogacy-specific costs including agency fees
• Benefits are typically available regardless of sexual orientation
• Check with your HR department about available family-building benefits

Companies known for strong fertility benefits include major tech firms, financial institutions, and consulting firms. Even if your employer doesn't currently offer these benefits, some will add them upon request.

Other Financial Assistance

• Surrogacy loans — Specialized lenders like CapexMD and New Life Fertility Finance offer loans for surrogacy
• Home equity loans — Lower interest rates using your home as collateral
• Personal loans — Available from many banks and online lenders
• Crowdfunding — Platforms like GoFundMe are commonly used for family-building fundraising
• FSA/HSA accounts — Can cover some medical expenses related to surrogacy

Tips for Applying

• Apply to multiple grants simultaneously — most have low acceptance rates
• Start your applications early, as many have annual deadlines
• Be authentic in your essays and share your personal story
• Keep financial documents organized and ready to submit
• Follow up with organizations if you haven't heard back
• Consider combining multiple smaller grants and assistance programs