An adoption grant is a specific grant to offset the cost and make adoption a reality for families that cannot afford it by themselves. It is money given to a chosen family to pay for the costs associated with adoption without needing to be paid back. For instance, if someone was pursuing an international adoption a grant could help cover airplane fees, visa fees, and hotel accommodations while in the country if that was a need.

They are set amounts designated by the organization granting them, typically anywhere between a couple hundred dollars to several thousand. The organizations offering the grants require some type of involved application detailing household income, family dynamics, why you might need a grant versus pay for an adoption outright, etc. I filled one out to completion for National Adoption Foundation and it took less than 20 minutes.

The grants are generally funded through fundraising by organizations. Most are 501(c )( 3 ) nonprofit organizations formed for the expressed purpose of making adoption an available way to form a family.

It is easy to perform an internet search for “adoption grants” to find hundreds of organizations that you can apply to. Some of the organizations may be faith-based and others are not. The faith-based ones may ask questions about church or religious based organization associations. Be prepared to spend some time applying for several as thousands of people apply for grants and only a few can be selected at any given time.

A few options to consider are : 

http://www.fundyouradoption.org/

https://showhope.org/

https://bothhands.org/

https://www.achildwaits.org/adoption-grants.html

https://www.davethomasfoundation.org/

https://www.helpusadopt.org/

Keep in mind that applying does not guarantee that you will be selected for any given grant but many of these organizations allow you to apply several times if you have been rejected previously.  

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1. SoFi – www.sofi.com/personal-loan-dr -Offers personal loans from $5,000-100,000. This loan is best for those with excellent credit but allows freedom to cover all expenses for your adoption. There are no origination fees. No prepayment penalties. The interest rate starts at far below the average credit card interest rate at 6.19%. Securing a personal loan would alleviate the need for verifying that all expenses fit the adoption expense category.
2. Lightstream- www.lightstream.com/- Lightstream also offers personal loans. They have a sliding interest rate based on loan amount and repayment time. They boast interest rates as low as 3.09%. Lightstream states that you can have funding of your loan the same day you apply. They offer loans from $5,000-100,000.  
3. America’s Christian Credit Union- www.americaschristiancu.com/personal/personal-loans/adoption-loans.html-  ACCU offers several adoption-related loans. This is not a personal loan. Their loans can be up to $50,000 and can be used for domestic or international adoptions. They offer rates as low as 5.99%. These adoption loans can also be used to cover travel-related expenses. ACCU also offers a grant program.    
4. Avant- www.avant.com/rates_terms-  Avant is another personal loan program. Avant boasts a quick loan funding and no prepayment fees. They offer loans from $2,000-35,000 with rates of 9.95% – 35.99%. They also offer an entirely digital process with quick turn around which can be a lifesaver if you’re in a pinch.
5. Hebrew Free Loan Society- hfls.org/loan-programs/adoption/-  Hebrew Free Loan Society offers a true adoption loan. Their loans cover agency fees, travel, and advertising fees associated with adoption. HFLS does have specific financial restrictions. They offer quick funding and electronic loan repayment. HFLS also have very specific loan requirements that may or may not fit your family’s financial needs.

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1. Loans

Many people choose to take out a personal loan to help pay for adoption. These loans can be taken out just about anywhere. There are also several groups that exist and specialize in adoption loans. They are also groups that usually give out adoption grants. Due to their desire to help get as many children adopted as possible, getting a loan through one of these groups is usually your best option. Many offer low-interest and even interest-free loans to help you pay for the adoption process, and they tend to be very forgiving toward their clients. If you are able, seek out and look into getting a loan from one of these groups first.

2. Foster To Adopt

Another option to look into is fostering a child and then adopting them through the state. This has many advantages both financially and emotionally. You are not adopting a child you’ve never met, met once or twice, or have only seen pictures of, you are adopting a child that has lived in your home for a period of time whom you know very well. Additionally, many states have great incentives encouraging their foster parents to adopt children if reunification cannot be achieved. In several states, most, if not all adoption fees are either waived or reimbursed, making this an excellent option for people who want to adopt but do not have easy access to the large sums of money often required by private adoption agencies.

3. Fundraising

Crowdfunding, and fundraising in general, is another option prospective adoptive parents can use to fund their adoptions. Family, friends, and even total strangers are often more than willing to help out a great cause, and adoption certainly is one of them. Of course, due to the nature of crowdfunding and fundraising in general, there is no guarantee that enough money will be raised to cover all adoption costs, however in these circumstances, you have the flexibility to use the money however you see fit, including buying material things that your child might need.

Adoption is attainable for any loving individual who truly desires to bring a child into their home and love them unconditionally. Diligent searching and patience will help you find resources for you to reach your goals. Don’t let the financial burden of adoption keep you from building your dream family. Use the resources available to you so that you can to turn that dream into a reality.

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One year later, we applied for another grant when our son was born as a surprise and once again we didn’t have the funds to complete payment to our adoption agency. We were excited to be approved for another grant. We found these few tips helpful when completing adoption grant applications.

1.     Know the details, rules, and deadline of each grant.

Before you take the time to complete what could be a very lengthy application, do your research and make sure you meet all the criteria for applying. Next check any rules such as “your adoption agency must be a nonprofit,” “you must have a completed home study,” or “you cannot apply if your child is already home.” And finally, write down each deadline. Just because you are not yet matched, does not mean you shouldn’t apply.

2.     Tell YOUR story–make it personal.

Show those underwriting your profile the specifics of your situation. Are you adopting a special needs child, or difficult to place child? What are the circumstances? Did your child overcome great odds? Don’t let your situation simply be another file in the cabinet. Communicate and check in with them often. Make them remember you and your child-to-be. Make them want to be a part of your story.

3.     Emphasize your NEED without sounding homeless.

This one is probably one of the hardest, but most important when completing a grant application. You need to outline why you need a grant. Why should you be considered over all the others?

If you are applying for an adoption grant, you should have a financial need. Those with a full savings account are really not in need for financial assistance. Your financial records should reflect that you can support your new child with food, clothes, etc. but that you need help getting started. People who have large families, special needs, future medical issues, or bills for your new child are just a few reasons one may need help getting started. You can show that you do not have the funds to pay for your adoption without sounding like you are impoverished.

4.     Show you have given ALL EFFORTS and the grant is the last resort.

Prior to applying for an adoption grant, you should already be cutting expenses. You should consider cutting simple pleasures such as that routine cup of coffee purchased on your way to work, going out to eat, unused gym memberships, manicures, routine clothing store purchase, etc. Show that you are serious about bringing home your child by eliminating spending and turning that into a savings. Let them see that you are already doing everything you can to bring your child home. Grant companies are there to provide assistance, not pay for your entire adoption. You should have already come up with a plan for saving and fundraising. Your grant should close the deal for you.

5.     Include PICTURES–bring the underwriter into your home.

Most grant companies will ask if you have a picture of your new child or your family. I’ve found that everyday life pictures of you and your spouse, family, etc. or candid shots serve well when trying to give your grant company a picture of who you are and what kind of life your child will have with you as their family. Show them a little more than just a group of people with smiles. Let them see the specifics of your family–the silliness, the couple that can have fun, the passion for your child-to-be.

6.     Keep all documents in a Dropbox or other kind of secure cloud.

Every grant application I completed had a need for all the same information, but many times wanted it in a different format or manner. For example, some wanted monthly income and liabilities whereas other grant companies wanted figures annually. Either way, you will be completing the same information over and over and over again. You will need to submit articles such as your home study, pay stubs, tax information, etc. When gathering documentation for our home study, I scanned everything into nicely organized folders in a Dropbox cloud. I then set a password to access the information, just in case I lost my phone or someone tried to hack my account. Having W-2’s, a list of liabilities, insurance and grocery costs all at your fingertips made completing the application much more simple. This allowed me to complete more applications and increase our odds of getting approved.

Be sure to try out these tips on these easy adoption grants!

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1)  National Adoption Foundation

They award grants quarterly, and the money can be used towards any kind of adoption including domestic, special needs, and international adoptions. There are no income or marriage requirements and they have an easy to fill out, one-page application. A home study must be completed or in the process to qualify.

Grants awarded range from $500 to $2,000

2)  A Child Waits

This organization provides grants to qualified U.S. citizens who are in the process of adopting internationally. Applicants must already be working through the adoption process and working with an approved international adoption agency. Grants will go toward qualified adoption expenses and will be paid directly to the service providers just prior to travel. There is a $20 application fee.

Grants awarded in varying amounts up to $5,000

3)  Gift of Adoption Fund

Any United States citizen who is in the middle of or has completed a home study from a licensed and accredited adoption agency is eligible to apply for this grant. Grant funds can be used toward both domestic and international adoptions. Applicants should be aware that this organization prioritizes adoptions that unite or prevent siblings from being separated, adoptions that keep special needs children from becoming institutionalized, children who are in dire need of medical care that they cannot get in their current situation, children who are about to be ‘aged out’ of the adoption system, and domestic adoptions to keep children out of the government social service system. There is a $50 application fee, and prospective adoptive parents can apply three times.

Grants awarded in varying amounts from $1,000 to $7,500

4)  Helpusadopt.org

Applications for this program can be submitted any time after your home study has been approved. Grants are awarded three times per year and are paid directly to the adoption agency when invoices become due. Funds can be used toward international, domestic, foster, and special needs adoptions.

Grants awarded in varying amounts up to $15,000

5)  The Buescher Foundation

This foundation specializes in helping those in the process of adopting domestically. Prospective adoptive parents must be working with an approved adoption agency or facilitator. In order to apply for this grant, you must submit your completed home study as well as a ‘Look Book.’ The ‘Look Book’ tells the story of your family and proof that you are working with an approved facilitator or adoption agency. Grants are awarded quarterly. Funds can be used for any adoption expense and are sent directly to the service providers.

Grants are awarded in varying amounts

There are many more grants out there as well as low-interest adoption loans that can ease the financial burden that the adoption process can be. Don’t let the cost of adoption scare you away; reach out and find options to turn your dream into reality.

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