--- helping women to self-sufficiency ---

About Cradle of Hope

What is Cradle of Hope?

Cradle of Hope is a nonprofit organization with the sole purpose of giving financial aid  to pregnant women and women with newborn infants less than three months of age.  

Cradle of Hope operates as a 501(C3) tax-deductible organization that is nonpolitical,  without religious affiliation, and is supported by donations from individuals, organizations, foundations and annual fund raising concerts. See Concerts Page

The most common type of financial stress reported by pregnant women was financial (51.9%); and the most common individual stressors listed were “moving to a new address” (36%) and “bills that could not be paid” (24%).  MI Dept. of Community Health, 2003


Cradle of Hope was founded in 1973 by a pregnancy care center volunteer who was concerned by the financial plight of the majority of the women she counseled. Since no financial resources existed for these women (other than government assistance, which many didn’t qualify for), she started a fund specifically for them.

“Cradle of Hope provides an invaluable service for women and families in crisis, especially when their meager income makes them ineligible for other programs. Your organization helps prevent financial disasters, so new parents can focus their attention on the infant.” Social worker at St. Paul Children’s Hospital
Who Are the Recipients of Cradle of Hope Grants?
Cradle of hope assists women throughout Minnesota.  80% of those who have received Cradle of Hope assistance are from the Twin Cities Metro area.

Cradle of Hope provides one-time financial assistance to women who are ineligible for aid from other resources and need immediate help with maternity-related expenses.

Assistance is granted regardless of marital status, race, religion, age or source of income.

Cradle of Hope aid is not yet available outside of Minnesota -- women from other states who need help should call 1-800-397-4357 Care Net; 1-800-866-4666 Nurturing Network; 1-888-4OPTIONS.
How Do Women Connect with Cradle of Hope?
Many women learn about Cradle of Hope’s motherhood fund when they go through the application process at one of the Minnesota agencies that refer to Cradle of Hope. See Agencies Page
  • Counselors at the referral agencies assist women in applying for funds if they meet Cradle of Hope grant requirements.
  • Others hear about Cradle of Hope from friends, family, school counselors, doctors, landlords, or listings in the Yellow Pages and United Way’s First Call for Help.
  • If a woman phones Cradle of Hope directly, she is referred to a social service agency, healthcare facility or pregnancy care center in her area where her needs are assessed and alternative resources explored.
How Does Cradle of Hope Make a Decision to Give Aid?
The Cradle of Hope Funds Approval Committee carefully reviews each grant request as it is received. The principal criterion is that the woman’s financial crisis is the result of her pregnancy or her baby’s birth.
  • Each woman’s request is considered according to her unique circumstances and the recommendation of her counselor. If she is denied funds, Cradle of Hope networks with other organizations to try to meet her needs.
  • Each woman seeking funds is asked to develop a plan showing how she can assure that her current financial crisis will not occur again and ways she plans to become self-sufficient.
  • Approval is also dependent on the availability of funds.
(Want More Details? Click Guidelines or Criteria Pages)

How Do Women Receive Their Grants?
Cradle of Hope grants are made directly to service providers, creditors or suppliers – not to the woman or her family.

Vouchers are provided to women who qualify for baby items.  See Safe Slumber Crib Page