Hi! I am Elisha! I am a wife of 17 years and a mom to a 12-year-old little girl whom we adopted through foster care in 2017. I am also the author behind this nationally known blog, “Waiting for Baby Bird.” My husband and I have been going through 12 years of infertility with one miscarriage. Needless to say, we know the pain, heartache, and devastation it can bring, and chances are you know someone who is also going through this same dream-shattering and life-altering experience as well. Perhaps it is even you. With that said, I don’t believe finances should ever stand in the way of someone who wants to love a child of their own. This is why in September 2019, I had a crazy, God-sized dream birthed within my heart to gift another couple with $10,000, but I didn’t have $10,000 to GIFTaway. So, I rummaged through my brain on how I could raise the money. Sell t-shirts? Lemonade stands? Yard sales? All of it seemed too big for me to manage. Feeling defeated, I began to tuck that dream away…that is until I heard God whisper, “But you didn’t ask me.” And so, I did. After all, if He put this idea on my heart, then it must be on His heart too; and if it’s on His heart, then He would help me fulfill it, right? As they say, where God guides, He provides; and friends provided, He did! Within just a few short months, without any stressing or striving, I raised the money. And guess what? The recipient who received the $10K GIFTaway in 2020 has welcomed their first child after years of disappointment. But guess what? The GIFTing didn’t stop there! In 2021, this ministry gifted $10K to another couple who is also experiencing the joys of parenthood. With a break in 2022, it’s time to do it again.
If you would like to apply to be our next $10K Family Building GIFTaway recipient, then below you will find not only the application form but also many of the frequently asked questions. If your question is not mentioned, please email me at waitingforbabybird@gmail.com. It would be my honor to help you.
Applications are open until September 22nd, 2023, at 11:59 pm CST.
–Elisha, Author and Founder of Waiting for Baby Bird Ministries
What is the $10K Family Building GIFTaway?
Waiting for Baby Bird Ministries is a faith-based non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging women going through infertility and pregnancy loss. The $10K Family Building GIFTaway aims at helping couples fulfill the desires of their hearts by financially gifting them with a monetary donation to help ease the financial burdens associated with fertility treatments, testing, fertility-enhancing surgery, holistic approaches, and/or adoption costs.
How long is the application process open?
The application process begins on August 22nd, 2023, and ends at 11:59 pm CST on September 22nd, 2023.
How and when will the recipient be notified?
The chosen recipient will be announced on October 8th during a Facebook LIVE or via a PRERECORDED video posted within the Waiting for Baby Bird Online Support Group. In the event the recipient is not able to watch, they will be notified via personal phone call or email. If the recipient does not reach out to Waiting for Baby Bird Ministries within 2 weeks, the GIFTaway will be given to another applicant.
Who is eligible for the financial gift?
It’s simple; you must be at least 18 years of age to apply. That’s it. No other hoops.
Can I apply for a friend or family member?
It is strongly encouraged for the person(s) in need of the financial gift to apply themselves. However, with that said, it is not forbidden to apply for someone else. I simply ask that if you choose to do this that you please get their permission first.
What if I already have a child, but I am struggling to have another (secondary infertility)? Can I still apply?
Absolutely! You want to continue to build your family, and this GIFTaway wants to help you as well.
What does the financial gift cover?
The financial gift can be used to cover any expenses associated with adoption or assisted reproduction, such as IUI, IVF, egg and sperm donation, egg freezing, embryo adoption, and surrogacy. The money can also be applied toward holistic approaches (i.e., holistic doctors, chiropractors, supplements, acupuncture, etc.), as well as fertility testing and surgery needed in order to enhance fertility. Basically, this GIFTaway is not limited to just treatment options and adoption. If you have a specific question regarding what this financial donation would cover in regard to your individual needs and plan of action toward building your family, please email waitingforbabybird@gmail.com
*Payments can be made to a clinic/physician outside of the United States of America*
Where will the financial gift be sent?
To ensure the financial gift is being used appropriately, money will be sent directly to the fertility clinic or adoption agency in your name. To ensure the security of the funds, which have been graciously donated by donors, we can not issue checks directly to the recipient or provide reimbursements. However, the financial gift can be applied to outstanding balances with previous or current providers or credit card companies. If you have questions regarding your specific needs (such as how this financial donation would pay for supplements, chiropractors, or other natural fertility expenses, please email waitingforbabybird@gmail.com)
Can the financial gift be used outside of the United States of America?
Yes, payments can be made to a clinic/physician outside of the United States of America.
What if I don’t currently have a clinic or adoption agency? Can I still apply as I plan to pursue one (choose one) in the future?
Yes, you do not need to have a specific clinic or adoption agency currently in order to apply.
If I am chosen, how soon do I need to use the financial gift?
Once notified, the chosen recipient will have 12 months to begin using their financial gift. However, due to circumstances that might be out of the recipient’s control (clinic closes, testing delayed, etc.), the 12-month time frame can be reconsidered and extended. After all, I often preach that a delay doesn’t mean a denial…and that same belief I hold in life still holds true with this GIFTaway. A delay in treatments, testing, or adoption proceedings will not be a denial of funds. Furthermore, you do not need to spend all $10K during the 12-month time frame.
What if, during the course of the 12 months, the chosen recipient no longer needs the financial gift (i.e., becomes pregnant naturally or chooses to no longer pursue treatments/adoption/holistic methods)?
In the event the recipient of the $10K Family Building GIFTaway no longer needs the financial gift, the money will be placed back into the Waiting for Baby Bird’s Ministries allocated “Family Building GIFTaway” fund for future GIFTaways.
If I were to be chosen, can I choose to give it away to someone else?
If the chosen recipient chooses not to use the $10K, the financial donation must be given back to Waiting for Baby Bird Ministries, and a new recipient will be chosen either through a new application process or through the previous applicants.
Who chooses the financial gift recipient?
The recipient will be chosen by a committee composed of the Waiting for Baby Bird Ministries Board of Directors, as well as volunteers and members of the infertility and loss community.
If I applied for the $10K Family Building GIFTaway in 2020 or 2021, do I need to send in another application?
Yes, you will need to fill out another application and pay the application fee of $35.
Can I send in pictures or videos to help supplement my application?
Yes, sending pictures and/or videos is strongly encouraged. To be honest, it does help to put a face with the name and story. You can do this by sending them to waitingforbabybird@gmail.com once your application is submitted. Please understand this is to supplement your application, not replace it.
What if I’m not a good writer? Or my story isn’t as long as that of someone else?
Please don’t worry or compare your writing or story with that of someone else. Last year, the recipient who received the financial gift wrote only a few paragraphs (maybe two?). So, don’t feel the pressure. Just write what God puts on your heart and know that as we read your application, we are praying and leaning in to listen to His on your behalf.
Is there an application fee, and how much is it?
Yes, there is a non-refundable application fee of $35. The fee is intended for two reasons: 1.) To help Waiting for Baby Bird Ministries know who is serious about receiving this financial gift. 2.) To not only help provide more Family Building GIFTaway funds to be allocated in the future but also continue to provide and send (for free) our “Forget Me Not” care packages to those going through a miscarriage/pregnancy loss within the Online Waiting for Baby Bird Support Group. Each box costs the ministry $35 to create and send, hence the reason behind choosing this amount for the application fee. In addition, Waiting for Baby Bird Ministries would like to start a foundation to help assist couples who have experienced a miscarriage or stillbirth to pay their hospital bills. There is such a unique pain that comes from needing to pay for services in which you were unable to bring your child home, and Waiting for Baby Bird would like to help alleviate this pain in some way; ultimately, the application fee will help do just that…even if it is just a little bit.
** Please note: A person’s application will not be considered until payment is received. **
THREE WAYS TO PAY:
- Via PayPal: send payment to waitingforbabybird@gmail.com
- Via Venmo: send payment to @waitingforbabybird
- Via Check/Cash: Waiting for Baby Bird Ministries—203 Jennifer Avenue; Carmi, Illinois 62821
Where can I find the application form?
You will find the application form here.
Again, if you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to email Elisha, author and founder of Waiting for Baby Bird Ministries, at waitingforbabybird@gmail.com
If you are looking for a faith-based infertility community of other women who just “get it,” then head to the *PRIVATE* Waiting for Baby Bird Support group for hope + encouragement. There you will find opportunities to ask for prayer, watch *LIVE* encouragement videos from me, author of “Waiting for Baby Bird,” as well as enter into exclusive giveaways, share your heart with others on the same path, and so much more! So what are you waiting for? Find us here!
Waiting for Baby Bird Ministries would love to connect with you on a personal level, so come find us on the public Facebook page or join us on Instagram @waitingforbabybird. We can’t wait to “meet” you!