The Essentials Grant 

4.20.23 UPDATE: All Essentials Grants have been distributed and are unavailable at this time. Please check back a later date for availability.  

At MPA we understand that economic barriers are often a factor in someone placing their child(ren) for adoption. We know these challenges can extend post-relinquishment, especially when housing and other cost of living expenses increase along with other factors. And sometimes, circumstances come up beyond anyone's control, and a little help is needed to alleviate financial stressors. 

An Essentials Grant from MPA can be requested to help cover a portion of expenses related to emergencies, unexpected expenses that would put a birth mother/parent at risk of being unable to meet their basic needs, and/or would be beneficial for them and their child(ren) they didn't relinquish for adoption. 

Essential Grants Guidelines:

  • If a birth mother/parent is not a current MPA client, please complete our intake form first. 
  • A birth mother/parent can request up to two (2) Essentials Grants in a 12-month period. 
  • Only ask for what you truly need. This will allow MPA to distribute more Essentials Grants to more birth mothers/parents.
  • Essentials Grants are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. 
  • The dollar amount of the grant distributed is dependent on the funds MPA has available. Please note that depending on the amount of the request, MPA may not be able to fully fund the request. 
  • If the number of grant requests exceeds available funds, birth mothers/parents will be notified as soon as possible and be placed on a waitlist. 
  • MPA will need some sort of documentation or receipt of what the Essentials Grant has been or will be used for. MPA needs this documentation for our internal record-keeping. 
  • Payments are distributed by check or Zelle. (These are the only two methods of payment distribution we can offer at this time).

Please note that MPA will work to its best ability to distribute an Essentials Grant quickly. However, delays may occur from time to time depending on capacity, the time of year, the number of requests, etc.

An application must be submitted online. Fill out the application here. If you need assistance completing the application, please contact director@mpoweralliance.org. 

MPA has access to an interpreter who can assist our team and the birth mother/parent with completing the application.

Examples of what an Essentials Grant can be used for:

  • Food 
  • Gasoline
  • Utilities (electric, gas, phone, internet)
  • Prescription medication and over-the-counter medication (including Plan B)
  • Bus passes and other forms of public transportation
  • Assistance with childcare expenses such as registration fees
  • Moving expenses (security deposits, movers, moving supplies, van/truck rental, storage space, etc.)
  • Clothing (client and/or child for employment or school)
  • Transportation expenses to visit relinquished child(ren)
  • Transportation expenses for an emergency situation (e.g. family member or friend who is in hospice or experiencing a medical emergency)
  • Birthday or holiday gifts for placed child (or children they are parenting)
  • Mobility aids 
  • Menstrual products
  • Assistive technology aids (glasses, hearing aids, etc.)
  • Medical and dental expenses
  • Devices such as phones, tablets or computers
  • Funeral expenses
  • Passport expenses
  • Legal fees 
  • Fees related to filing or receiving government documentation, licensure, or certificates 


Examples of what is not covered by an Essentials Grant:

  • Alcohol or other substances that are not medically prescribed
  • Personal savings
  • Gambling
  • Credit card debt 
  • Student loan debt 
  • Payday loan debt
  • Down payments on homes or automobiles
  • Vacation expenses
  • Travel to/from MPA events 


If you have any additional questions, please contact [email protected].