Wishing for IVF grant

[luke28273]

My husband and I have been struggling with infertility. We just joined and we are hoping for love and support from the INCIID family. Does anyone know how long the scholarship process takes or what to expect? Does anyone know what is expected of the fund raising part?

[Annette]

Hello! Welcome to INCIID! I am a former scholarship recipient and will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the application process. Applications are reviewed monthly, but notification time can widely vary due to fluctuation in funding/donations and participation from clinics. The fundraising requirement is $3,500 and former recipients have many ideas to share and recipients can also create their own ideas (with approval from INCIID administration). The one requirement for fundraising is that you have to have at least one fundraising effort to spread awareness; past recipients have held events such as spaghetti feeds or sold candy bars, but really if you can think up something great to raise awareness the opportunities are limitless. Please feel free to ask any further questions and good luck with your application!!

[Tiki]

Welcome! I too am a scholarship recipient. I have finished my fund-raising and am currently waiting to be matched with a donating clinic. I think you will find everyone on this board willing to help in any way possible, as are the directors Nancy and Linda. Again, welcome to INCIID!

[luke28273]

Thank you

I am glad to hear such positive feedback that has come from the INCIID scholarships. Congratulations to both of you! I may have more questions soon.

[tresa1004]

Good Morning Ladies,

I am to new to the forum and IVF world. My husband and I are also reaching out to seek funding for our IVF treatment. Our insurance isn't offering any coverage. I am happy to meet other ladies that are applying for the scholarship as well.

[heavenly29]

When are you accetpting applications? You have to raise 3,400 to participate for the IVF treatment ? WOW that could take a min to get up. Are there other alternatives to getting the grant???

[Annette]

Hi heavenly,

Applications are reviewed monthly. The fundraising requirement is actually $3,500. The scholarship recipients support each other and offer a wide variety of fundraising ideas. The Heart Scholarship is the single grant-type program that INCIID offers, and being a former scholarship recipient myself, in my opinion it is the best program out there because your chances of being selected are far greater due to the way they have structured the program.

[Tiki]

Welcome Tresa1004 and Heavenly29!

[tresa1004]

Good Morning Tiki,

Thanks for the warm welcome.

[tresa1004]

Fundraising Ideas

Good Morning Ladies!!!!

I was just wondering if you all don't mind sharing your fundraising ideas with me. I'm clueless at the moment.

Thanks,

[Tiki]

Tresa1004,

There are numerous possibilities as far as the fundraising goes. The most important thing to remember is that all fundraising plans must be approved through Nancy and Linda first.

With that being said, many on the board have mentioned spaghetti dinners, raffles, auctions, car washes, ect.

I started with the fundraising letter provided on the board, (with some tweaking of course). It was meant as a jumping off point, but thankfully I was able to raise the needed funds on the letter alone. I sent it to EVERYONE! Friends, family, business colleagues (be careful with this one, don't want to get in trouble with your employer), church members, even my hairdresser!

Hope this helps!

[LindaG]

Hello!! My husband and I are also a scholarship recepients. It took us less than 3 months to raise our fund raising commitment. I wrote letters to everyone that I knew (including all my facebook friends). We held a spaghetti supper at our church. The amazing thing about the whole process is finding out how many people near and dear to us have fertility issues and by doing our fund raising, we connected with them in a whole different way. Also, telling people about INCIID and that there is actually a whole community of people going through similiar problems encouraged friends and family who were suffering through this awful "infertility rollercoaster". Awareness is a huge aspect of the fund raising. I know that some people even had their local papers run stories about the scholarship. I wish you all the best of luck!

[luke28273]

Spaghetti Dinner

I think we may borrow your idea and do a spaghetti dinner. Did you sell tickets to the spaghetti dinner? Were people allowed to donate more so that you were able reach you goal? Did you have a silent auction for gift baskets? Thank for your message.

[LindaG]

We sold tickets for $1 to raffle off a quilt. I can't remember exactly how much the spaghetti dinner cost...I believe around $5. But, a lot of people gave more. I was sure to send a thank you to every person who donated. A silent auction is a great idea. I know that some people have used those to get closer to their goal. I just didn't have time to get the baskets together. Also, another person has a golf tournement. That's a great idea for a spring fundraiser. (haha depending on where in the country you are located.)

[Tiki]

Very true Linda. I sent a personal note of thanks to each and every person who donated as well.