HOW WE WORK
Founded in 2015, the Nest Egg Foundation is a collaborative Connecticut-based non-profit organization founded to help those struggling with infertility by providing grants of financial assistance. The number of grants given is dependent upon fundraising and is variable. Not all applicants who apply and meet the medical and financial criteria will be awarded a grant. Grants will be valued at no more than $20,000. Financial grants may not be used to reimburse any clinic or medical provider for services that have already been provided.
Grants can be used to pay for In Vitro Fertilization only. This can include the IVF treatment cycle, embryo, egg or sperm cryopreservation, embryo testing and cycle medications. Please keep in mind the grant will cover up to $20,000 of treatment. Applicants will be responsible for costs exceeding $20,000. Grant funding can be used at one of the two Connecticut Centers of Excellence, the Center for Advanced Reproductive Services (CARS) and Illume Fertility.
REQUIREMENTS
- Applicants (both partners) MUST be U.S. citizens (at least four years of U.S. Citizenship) and reside in Connecticut
or New York (both partners, if applicable) - Applicants MUST have a medical diagnosis of primary infertility certified in writing by a medical provider with the
following exceptions:- applicants who are part of a same-sex couple
- applicants who are single
- Applicants must have seen a Reproductive Endocrinologist within the previous 6-8 months
- Have an annual household income of less than $125,000 if single and $200,000 if in a domestic partnership
CLINICAL CRITERIA GRANT APPLICANTS MUST MEET:
- Applicants MUST be between 25 and 44 years of age
- AMH > or = 1.0
- Highest Day 3 FSH of < or = 10
- BAFCT > or = 10
- BMI < or = 38
- Male partner BMI < or = 40 (if applicable)
- Total motile sperm count greater than 5 million
- Non-smoking (both applicant and partner)
- Normal uterine cavity as documented by HSG and/or SHG
- No hydrosalpinx
- Heterosexual couples MUST meet the ASRM definition of infertility
- Same sex couples only:
- same sex females: MUST have completed 3 IUI cycles
- same sex males: one failed embryo transfer
Please note: The number of grants given is dependent upon fundraising and is variable. Not all applicants who apply and meet the medical and financial criteria will be awarded a grant. Grants will be valued at $5,000 - $20,000, depending on treatment required and will be determined at the discretion of the Nest Egg Foundation, Inc.'s Board of Directors. Financial grants may not be used to reimburse any clinic or medical provider for services that have already been provided.
Grants can only be used to pay for In Vitro Fertilization only. This can include the IVF treatment cycle, embryo, egg or sperm cryopreservation, embryo testing, cycle costs related to egg or embryo donation, surrogacy and cycle medications. Please keep in mind the grant will cover up to $5,000 - $20,000 of treatment. Applicants will be responsible for costs exceeding their awarded grant amount. Grant funding can be used at one of the two Connecticut Centers of Excellence, the Center for Advanced Reproductive Services (CARS) and Illume Fertility (formerly Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut).
FAQ
DO BOTH PARTNERS NEED TO BE RESIDENTS OF THE US?
Yes, both partners need to be permanent and legal residents of the US. Furthermore, they must have lived in the U.S. for at least four years and be residents of the State of Connecticut or New York.
DO I NEED TO BE DIAGNOSED WITH INFERTILITY TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A GRANT?
Yes, you need a doctor’s diagnosis of infertility to be eligible to receive a grant (with the following exceptions: applicants who are part of a same sex couple or applicants who are single).
IS THERE AN AGE LIMIT?
Applicants must be between the ages of 25 and 44 years old.
ARE GRANTS AWARDED ONLY TO COUPLES?
The Nest Egg Foundation grant program is open to all individuals within our age range regardless of gender, marital status or sexual orientation.
CAN I APPLY IF I ALREADY HAVE A CHILD?
No, grants are reserved for individuals with primary infertility (i.e. those individuals without children).
IS THERE A MAXIMUM ANNUAL INCOME TO BE ABLE TO APPLY FOR A GRANT?
Yes, applicants must have an annual income of less than $125,000 if single or $200,000 if married or in a domestic partnership.
HOW ARE MONIES DISTRIBUTED?
Grants will be awarded to the recipient’s fertility clinic. Grant funding can be used at one of two Connecticut Centers of Excellence, the Center for Advanced Reproductive Services (CARS) and Illume Fertility.
IS THERE A TIME LIMIT TO USE THE GRANT?
Yes, grants must be used within six months.
CAN GRANTS BE USED TO COVER CYCLES OR PROCEDURES ALREADY COMPLETED?
No, unfortunately grants cannot be used to reimburse for cycles or medical procedures that have already been performed.
WHAT COSTS ARE COVERED BY A GRANT?
Grants can be used to pay for In Vitro Fertilization only. This can include the IVF treatment cycle using your own or donor embryo, egg or sperm, cryopreservation, embryo testing the use of a gestational carrier and cycle medications. Please keep in mind the grant will cover up to $10,000 of treatment. Applicants will be responsible for costs exceeding $10,000.
DO I NEED TO HAVE MEDICAL INSURANCE?
Yes, applicants must provide proof of current medical insurance.
CAN I SUBMIT A PAPER APPLICATION?
No, only online applications will be reviewed.
IS MY APPLICATION FEE REFUNDABLE?
No, your $25.00 application fee is nonrefundable.
HOW MANY GRANTS ARE AWARDED PER YEAR?
The number of grants awarded is entirely dependent on fundraising. Not everyone who applies will be awarded a grant.
WHO CHOOSES GRANT RECIPIENTS?
Nest Egg Foundation’s Evaluation Panel consists of medical professionals, financial advisors and clinical psychologists who review all completed grant applications.
WHEN WILL I HEAR IF I HAVE BEEN AWARDED A GRANT?
It may take up to 12 weeks to review all qualified applications. Nest Egg staff will notify you if you have been selected to receive a grant.
CAN I APPLY FOR A GRANT MORE THAN ONCE?
Yes, applicants may apply more than once. A $25 fee and an updated application will be required as medical circumstances can change over time.