Directed donation
Known-donor & directed agencies
The other way to donate: instead of a recurring bank wage, intended parents pay a per-cycle fee published on that agency's card — Growing Generations lists $10,000. These 11 agencies arrange directed donation. 8 say they work with donors nationwide. Every figure is that agency's directory label.
| Agency | Compensation | Pays | Age / Height | Based | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Growing Generations | $10,000 | Intended parents pay | 21–38.5 Preferred: 5'10", exceptions can be made | Nationwide | |
| My Baby Donor Agency | $10,000–20,000 | Intended parents pay | 18–30 Height not published | California | |
| Elevate Baby | $6,000+ | Intended parents pay | 19–38 Height not published | Nationwide | |
| New Grace Fertility | $6,000–20,000 | Intended parents pay | 19–38 No minimum | California, New York, Oregon, Washington | |
| The Seed Scout | $5,000 | Client pays directly | 24+ No minimum | Nationwide | |
| Ivy Surrogacy | $5,000–50,000 | Intended parents pay | 18–39 5'9" | Nationwide | |
| GSHC Surrogacy | $5,000–20,000 | Intended parents pay | 21–35 Height not published | Nationwide | |
| Coast to Coast | $5,000–10,000 | Intended parents pay (escrow) | 21–38 Height not published | Nationwide | |
| Elite Donor Solutions | $5,000–50,000 | Intended parents pay | 21–38 Height not published | Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island | |
| Sperm Bank of New York | $5,000–10,000 | Intended parents pay (escrow) | 21–38 5'10" | Nationwide | |
| The Genesis Group | Donor-set | Intended parents pay | 21–35 Height not published | Nationwide |
Compensation is per cycle (or per family), not a monthly wage — it isn't directly comparable to bank pay. Looking for a walk-in bank instead? See the sperm-bank directory → Prefer to donate at a bank? See sperm banks by state.
Paid per cycle, by the family
A lump sum set by the arrangement and paid through escrow after FDA clearance — trait-priced by education, height, appearance, and proven-donor status.
Matched to one family
You're selected by specific intended parents, usually for one family or a capped few — not anonymous samples sold to many.
Known or identity-release
A personalized legal contract with independent attorneys. This is also the practical route for gay and MSM donors — Seed Scout and MySpermBank welcome them explicitly.
Frequently asked
What is a known or directed sperm donor?
Instead of donating anonymously to a bank that sells your samples to many families, a directed / known-donor agency matches you to a specific intended parent or couple. The recipients know who you are (identity-release or fully known), a personalized legal contract defines everyone's rights, and you're paid a per-cycle fee by the family rather than a recurring bank wage.
How much do known donors earn?
Compensation is the per-donation label on each agency card. The highest of those labels is $10,000 at Growing Generations; its longer-horizon label is Up to $100k total. Intended parents pay it. Education, height, and a prior donation can change the offer, and those gates are on each profile.
Can gay or bisexual men be known donors?
Yes. The FDA's anonymous-bank deferral for men who have sex with men does not bind directed / known donation, where the recipient knowingly accepts the donor. The Seed Scout and MySpermBank welcome gay and bisexual donors explicitly; several other agencies are silent (worth confirming per agency).
How is this different from a sperm bank?
A bank pays a recurring amount over the commitment on its profile, with part of the payment deferred, and samples can go to many families. A directed agency pays the per-cycle label on its card, usually for one family or a capped few, on a known or identity-release basis. Banks are steadier and location-based. Directed donation depends on a family selecting you.