Family Grant Program

Geographic Scope: Counties served by approved referral partners

Program Overview

Building on Love, Inc. provides temporary financial support to families caring for a child with a recent life-altering diagnosis. The organization focuses on helping working families who could otherwise make ends meet if not for their child's diagnosis and treatment.

Eligible Patient Requirements

• Patient age: 18 years or younger
• Diagnosis: Life-altering illness diagnosed within the last 120 days
• Treatment status: Currently in active treatment

Family/Residency Requirements

• Family must reside in one of the counties served by approved referral partners
• Must have maintained uninterrupted residency for 12 months in eligible county
• Financial status: Family must be current with bills at time of application (organization may consider applications where they help families "catch up" if recently missed payment deadline, but will typically not approve substantially behind applications)

Income & Expense Requirements

• Family must be facing demonstrable loss of income due to missed work
• Organization does not base decisions on replacing lost income but aims to provide temporary financial bridge
• Focus is on working families who were on stable financial footing prior to diagnosis
• Also considers substantial increase in non-medical related expenses due to qualifying diagnosis

What Gets Funded

• Primary focus: Housing (rent/mortgage payments)
• Secondary support: Auto loans, utilities, travel to care, other essential living expenses
• Payment method: Bills paid directly to vendors/lenders — organization does NOT provide direct financial support to families

Current Referring Medical Partners

• The Bernard & Millie Duker Children's Hospital at Albany Medical Center
• New York Oncology Hematology
• Capital District Physicians' Health Plan
• The Capital Cup for Kids / Capital Cup Sports LLC

Important Notes

• Building on Love is only a temporary financial bridge, not a long-term solution
• Goal is to engage with families within 120 days of initial diagnosis

Application Process

1. Initial Screening Questionnaire
   • Complete the Building on Love Screening Questionnaire
   • Provide contact information and respond to screening questions
   • Organization will respond within 24 hours of receipt
2. Required Information to Provide
   • Patient information (name, age, diagnosis, treatment status)
   • Family residency details (address, length of residency in county)
   • Income and employment information (documentation of lost income due to missed work)
   • Current bills and financial obligations
   • Any substantial increases in non-medical expenses
   • Bill payment details for vendors/lenders (family provides, organization pays directly)
3. Application Requirements
   • Families must meet all eligibility criteria listed in program overview
   • All required documentation must be provided
   • Families must be referred by approved medical partners or complete screening questionnaire