The Stork Foundation for Infertility received a record 1,076 applications for financial assistance in 2026, as high treatment costs continue to prevent many Americans from accessing fertility care. The US nonprofit has launched a national fundraising campaign to help more individuals and couples afford treatment, with donations supporting grants of up to $15,000.
Fertility treatment costs average $19,149 for applicants
An analysis of the foundation’s 2026 applicants found that 85% lacked insurance coverage for the fertility treatment they were pursuing. Per the report, applicants anticipated spending an average of $19,149 on their next course of treatment.
The financial burden often begins well before families seek assistance. According to the foundation, 39% of applicants had already spent more than $10,000 out of pocket before applying for a grant.
The Stork Foundation for Infertility disclosed that applications came from all 50 US states, highlighting nationwide demand for financial support.
“The data make clear that cost remains one of the biggest barriers to fertility treatment,” said Elizabeth Frattura, founder of The Stork Foundation for Infertility. “Too many families are forced to delay or forgo care simply because they cannot afford it.”
Foundation launches $6 fundraising campaign
The foundation’s new “$6 for 1 in 6” campaign draws inspiration from the World Health Organization’s finding that approximately one in six people worldwide experience infertility.
The campaign encourages people to donate $6 in honor of a child whose life was made possible through fertility treatment. Furthermore, all funds raised will support additional fertility treatment grants, with the campaign running through Giving Tuesday on December 1, 2026.
Frattura said the initiative offers people who have built their families through fertility treatment an opportunity to help others access similar care.
The foundation’s findings reflect broader challenges in accessing fertility treatment in the United States. According to KFF’s 2024 Employer Health Benefits Survey, just 27% of large employers offering health benefits reported providing in vitro fertilization coverage.
More than 100,000 babies were born through IVF in the United States in 2024, according to figures cited in the foundation’s announcement. Despite the treatment’s role in helping people build families, its cost remains a significant obstacle for many prospective parents.