Key Dates

Fall 2024 Empower Life Grant application window opens August 5

Where do I apply?

Whether you've applied in the past or are applying now for the first time, the application is only available once you've completed the tutorial. Once you have completed the training, you will be able to click through to the full grant application for the current application window. The training is short, simple, and designed to help you show your organization in the best light possible for this grant (and hopefully others!). If you've applied before, pay close attention to recent clarifications as we continue to improve our process. Just remember to use the passcode from your email invitation!

How much time will I need to dedicate to this grant application?

In many ways, this depends on how easily you are able to pull stats for your center. It can take more or less time depending on whether you’ve done similar applications in the past or how you keep your budget and client information. Assuming your statistics are not too difficult to gather, we expect the entire process from the time you start the training to the time you submit an application to take about 90 minutes.

Tell me more about the training/tutorial. 

We know that many pregnancy help centers have not had the opportunity to spend the time and energy to apply for a grant. Or perhaps you did once, but didn’t get the grant and haven’t tried again. That’s why we’ve made it as simple as we possibly can to represent your organization well for the Empower Life Grant in particular, and other donors or grantors in the future. The training is a brief walkthrough of how to put your best foot forward when applying for grants that specifically address categorizing expenses appropriately and arming yourself with powerful metrics. With these tools, you’re that much closer to winning any grant proposal - and it makes the Empower Life Grant application easy. 

Where do I find my passcode?

Check your invitation email for your unique application passcode. You should be able to find your invitation by searching "Empower Life Grant" and looking for an email from our Vice President, Tracie Shellhouse. The passcode allows you to access your organization's personal application, which means you can start today, save your progress, and finish tomorrow if you need to. 

Why doesn't my passcode work?

First, confirm that the passcode you've entered matches the code provided in your invitation email. If you still receive a message that your passcode is invalid, confirm that the current application window is open for organizations in your state (see map below). If you still believe there is an error and your passcode is not allowing you to progress, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for assistance completing this application.

I'm confused about program expenses. What are program expenses and what is overhead?

Here's the short answer: program expenses are costs related to direct service of your clients, while overhead is not. There are easy expenses (like your curriculum, pregnancy tests, or ultrasound machine) that you know should go under program expenses, but don’t forget to include the salary of staff members providing client services or the cost of space where you provide services. For example, if your executive director works 25% of the time with clients and 75% of the time fundraising, put 25% of her salary under program expenses. You can also do this with your building. If 60% of your space is used directly in client services, you should allocate 60% of your rent or mortgage payment to program expenses. Insurance and membership dues are not program expenses since they do not directly serve clients. Have you read Jor-El's explanation of overhead and the reason major donors ask this question? Click here to read more! 

I'm getting an error in the At-Risk Client Intentions section. What am I doing wrong?

The client intentions you are reporting on should only be those that were at-risk, so the total number of life, abortion, and unknown/undecided intentions should total the number of at-risk clients in the above section. If these numbers do not match, you will get an error! (NOTE: The number will not match your reported number of pregnancy tests.)

How much am I likely to receive if I do get a grant?

If an organization receives the Empower Life Grant, the minimum amount they will receive is $2,500 in operational funds. Some organizations receive $5,000, $10,000 or even more at the donor’s discretion.