Not surprising is the fact that lack of finances is the #1 deterant to adoption. Many see the initial estimates and immediately disqualify themselves since they don’t have tens of thousands of dollars sitting in the bank. But the GREAT NEWS is that you don’t have to have it all, or even half of it, in the bank.
In this post we will explore many different ways to afford adoption. While it is quite easy, if you already have the money, to just write a check; the struggle you face if you don’t, will be part of your joy once the adoption is complete. What we gain through struggle is far more valuable than what we get with ease.
Let’s Start With Your Employer
A logical first stop would be to find out form your employee if they off adoption assistance or benefits. Here are a few examples of companies that do:
- American Express recently announced a $35,000 stipend for parents who choose to adopt.
- Abbott provides up to $20,000 for eligible expenses related to the adoption of a child.
The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption annually publishes a list of the most adoption friendly employers in the United States. Here’s the link to see if your place of work is on the list – Top 100 Adoption Friendly Companies. If not, then check with your human resources department to see if they offer adoption benefits.
Look Into State Subsidies for Adopting a Child
If you are in the United States, there are grant subsidies to families who adopt children with special needs or who resided in foster care for a period of time.
Within each State, counties will vary in their requirements and contributions. The North American Council on Adoptable Children summarizes each State’s adoption subsidy requirements for your reference on its website.
How About Grants
Below are several examples of grant options for adoption. I’ve found these on a variety of websites and there are numerous more. It’s worth doing the research to see if grants is a viable option for adoption.
- A Child Waits Foundation’s Grant Program is specifically designed to help older children and children with special needs who are still living in international orphanages to become part of a family.
- The Gift of Adoption Fund provides grants to those with an approved and current home study from a licensed and accredited adoption agency. The number of biological children or adopted children in the home does not impact eligibility. Grants are awarded regardless of religion, race, age, marital status, or sexual orientation.
- HelpUsAdopt.org is a national non-profit financial assistance grant program providing qualified couples and individuals (regardless of race, ethnicity, marital status, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or disability) with grants toward their domestic, international, foster, or special needs adoption expenses. Grants are awarded twice a year, in June and December, and families must be able to demonstrate financial need.
- His Kids Too! has an interesting fundraiser/grant program for families adopting internationally so the families’ personal network can assist them financially with adoption costs. This grant program is set up so donors make tax-deductible donations to His Kids Too!, and then families may apply for a grant for the funds generated by donors. It is important to note that all funds generated become the property of His Kids Too! and the organization does not guarantee that all funds received will benefit any particular family’s personal adoption expenses.
- The National Adoption Foundation offers grants that are open to all legal adoptions, including public or private agency adoptions, international, special needs, or adoptions facilitated by an attorney. There is no income requirement.
- Parenthood for Me is a wonderful non-profit organization that offers grants for both adoption and medical intervention. Their first grants, totaling $12,000, went to 4 families in July 2010.
- Resources4Adoption is run by an adoptive parent who did tons of research on grants and loans while she was going through the adoption process. She was frustrated by the lack of up-to-date and consolidated information, so she took it upon herself to help other adopting parents make sense of their options.
- Shaohannah’s Hope provides grants to families adopting orphans. Funding priority is based on need.
Choose An Agency With a Sliding Fee Scale
While some agencies charge a flat fee, others structure their fees based on your personal finances. There’s a good possibility you could save money by working with an agency that offers a sliding fee scale based specifically on your income and finances. This is one option that help more couples become adoptive parents, regardless of their income.
Other Options
While we would recommend starting with the above options, here are a few other viable options to consider:
- Fundraiser like Facebook and GoFundMe
- Loan
- Military Adoption Benefits
- Tax Credits (don’t forget this benefit!)
- Your Local Church
