Obstacles

Along the adoption journey there are enough obstacles along the path from infertility, fertility treatments, surgery, pills, and so on that once you get to the place where adoption is your next step the last thing you need is another hill to climb.

Adoption is a task for anyone first trying to educate themselves to the process. Once you navigate your way through the complex web of adoption agencies, attorneys, facilatators your still not done. But you have come a long way and have done your due diliegence and have decided on which course you want to proceed. Now what is the next obstacle? Adoption fees.

Adoption fees run a wide range of costs depending on many, many different factors. We won't get into that today. But we will talk about what to do about it. I have adopted twice and both placements were completety unrelated in fees, and service. It required me do things with my assests that otherwise would have precluded me from adopting. If you want something bad enough you will do whatever is necessary within reason of course.

So what if your assests are limited? What are some of your options? i put together a list from the internet that might be of help. I do not recomend any, or endorse any of the options. Some are grants, some loans and some just ideas on how to do it yourself. I am very aware that their many families looking, waiting, hoping to adopt and money is the reason for their delay.

I hope this information will be a benefit to families everywhere looking for some financial assistance. Remember the journey is for a reason. "The road of life twists and turns and no two directions are ever the same. Yet our lessons come from the journey, not the destination.” Don Williams Jr.

Options for Financing Your Adoption


• Corporate Matching Gifts (Check with your employer’s human resources division. Also check www.adopting.org/employer.html, www.adoptionbenefits.com or www.abanet.org/family/advocate/sp97tax.html.) (Target, Wendy’s, Hewitt, and Hallmark all have adoption assistance benefit programs).

• Call The National Adoption Center at (800) TO-ADOPT for information on corporate employee adoption benefit plans.


• Fundraising. Many churches and civic organization will support and assist in fundraising efforts for adoptions.


• Federal Tax Credit of $10,000
o The federal government provides a tax credit of just over $10,000 per child to help with adoption expenses. The details are available in I.R.S. Tax Publication 968 and available online at www.irs.ustreas.gov in downloadable form.


• State Tax Credits
o Several states offer tax credits to aid in adoption expenses as well as other grants and subsidy programs. To learn if you qualify, contact your state tax office or link to state website at www.state.yourstate.us, with “your state” being the standard two letter state designation.
• Grants and Loans
o The National Adoption Foundation offers low interest loans and grants to offset the costs of adoption. www.nafadopt.org.
o The Hebrew Free Loan Association offers interest free loans and grants to assist with adoption expenses for needy families. www.hflasf.org/adopt-loans.html
o The Gift of Adoption Fund offers low interest loans and grants to assist with adoption expenses for needy families. www.giftofadoption.org
o Adopt Share is a Christian Ministry offering assistance with expenses involved in adoption. www.adoptshare.org
o Bright Futures Foundation offers small grants to adopting families. www.homestead.com/brightfutures
o Acres of Hope offers financial assistance and loan programs for the adoption of physically and emotionally challenged children. For information, call (715) 765-4118.
o Christian Adoption Resources (717) 492-1868
o God’s Grace Adoption Ministry offers grants and loans to adopting families. Call (209) 572-4539 for more information
o Grants for Adoption is a private foundation awaiting non-profit approval status to provide grants for adoption. Please email them at info@GRANTSFORADOPTION.COM
o Kingdom Kids Adoption Ministries offers fundraising and grant assistance. (509) 465-3520
o Love Knows No Borders will provide information on financial assistance if you send a SASE (two stamps) to 500 B Monroe Turnpike, P.O. Box 350, Monroe, CT 06468.
o Promise the Children provides grates to adopting families working with approved facilitators. ptcstaff@swbell.net
o Sibling Adoption Grants provides up to $4000 for two the adoption of two children. info@siblingadoption.com
o Americans Adopting Orphans provides low interest loans and grants to qualifying families. Call (206) 52-4-KIDS (5437).
o The Boatner Family Foundation provides grants up to $10,000. Write to: P.O. Box 132272, The Woodlands, Texas 77393-2272
o Adoption Financing.com provides a no obligation expedited loan process.
o Adoption Funding-Adoption Network Law Center offers credit based loans (800) 367-2367.
o MBNA offers unsecured loans to qualifying families to assist with adoption related expenses. For more information, call 888-627-8767. MBNA also provides a credit card that contributes to each the National Adoption Foundation with each purchase. (800) 932-2775
o Fifth Third, First Union, and US Bank also provide for adoption loans. Please contact your local branch.
o Building Families Adoption Loan Program is a loan program through Old National Bank for families in Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
o Child Adoption Funds #225 9393 N. 90th St., Suite #102, Scottsdale, AZ 85252
o A Child Waits provides low interest loans to qualified parents. (866) 999-2445.
o United Way International provides assistance for the cost of travel for children in need of immediate medical attention. (703) 519-0092.
o The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption provides numerous resources for adoption assistance. View their website at www.davethomasfoundationforadoption.org
o Many banks will give second mortgages on home equity. The funds can be used for adoption and interest is tax deductible.
o Check into your IRA, 401K, or retirement plans for information about borrowing against those funds.
o Steven Curtis Chapman runs a foundation called Shoahannah’s Hope that provides grants to adopting families. Shaohannahshope.org
• Dependency Deductions
o After adopting, don’t forget that you will be able to deduct your child as a dependent, saving tax money.
• Military, Nonrecurring Program
o Full-time military personnel are eligible for a one-time subsidy of up to $2000 per child. www.calib.com/naic/pubs/f_militia.htm
• Tax Questions
o Tax Accountant Len Titone has adopted 6 children and is a tax consultant. He can be contacted at 21 E. Cedar Street, Zionsville, Indiana 46077. (317) 414-9332.

“How to Make Adoption an Affordable Option” is a free comprehensive booklet published by the National Endowment for Financial Education. Order at www.nefe.org or call (719) 948-4000 and ask for Item #602-E.

The Domino Foundation SLC Utah - http://dominofoundation.com/index-3.html
Cost of Adoption
• What Adoption Really Costs
The results of AF's 2007/2008 cost survey.
• Adoption Costs
Sample budget worksheets, by country.

Resources and Funding Strategies
• Special Report: Affording Adoption
AF looks at how families do it.
• Where to Go for Help
Make use of the credits, benefits, subsidies, and other resources available to you.
• Adoption Grants and Loans
Several organizations offer adoption-specific grants and loans.
• Tips from the Trenches
AF readers share their strategies.

Tax Credit and Employer Assistance
• The Federal Adoption Tax Credit Explained
AF answers readers' questions about the tax credit.
As reported in AF Mar-Apr 2009 issue: Adoption tax credit rises to $11,650.
• How to Lobby Your Employer for Adoption Benefits
Here's a road map, including a sample letter, to persuade your employer to add adoption benefits.
• Top Adoption-Friendly Companies
Let's hear it for companies that get the message: Adoption benefits are vital in today's workplace

I CARE FOUNDATION
P.O. Box 19020
Baltimore, Maryland 21284
800-513-9896
info@intlcare.org
I CARE was created to help families meet adoption costs and to expand the opportunity for children to join loving families in the United States. I CARE accomplishes its goals by streamlining the process and helping to make adoption more affordable. They encourage exhausting all other available sources of funding first such as employer adoption assistance programs, tax credits, vacation savings accounts and making your desire to adopt known to your church family and your family and friends
GIFT OF ADOPTION FUND
www.giftofadoption.org
101 East Pier Street, 1st Floor
Port Washington, WI 53074
1-877-905-2367
info@giftofadoption.org

Gift of Adoption provides grants usually between $2,000 - $5,000. Applicants must have an approved home study before applying for a grant. You can apply online at https://www.giftofadoption.org/Grant.asp using a credit/debit card to pay the $20 application fee (e-mail Gift of Adoption for to apply for a grant without a credit/debit card). Grants are awarded based upon financial need and/or extraordinary hardship on the part of the adoptive parents or the child.
NATIONAL ADOPTION FOUNDATION
www.nafadopt.org
100 Mill Plain Road
Danbury, CT 06811
203-791-3811
Families can apply for outright grants from this organization. The grant program is open to all kinds of adoptions. There is no income requirement for applicants. Grants range from $500 to $4,000 and are available to prospective adoptive parents 4 times a year. Although there is no income requirement to apply, the NAF is inundated with grant requests so funds will be awarded to the neediest families first, depending on the funds available at the time of the application. More information can be found at http://.nafadopt.org/fund-your-adoption/fund-your-adoption.shtml

A great website for adoption Grants
http://www.dreamadoption.org/index.php/finances_panick_relief/adoption_grants
Adoption Grant Opportunities


A Child Waits Foundation
1136 Barker Road; Pittsfield, MA 01201
866-999-2445
www.achildwaits.org cnelson@achildwaits.org
This is a nonprofit charitable foundation providing grants and loans to prospective parents that lack savings to pay for the cost of adoption. Eligibility is based on financial need. Each case is judged individually.

Caroline’s Promise
1950 Beeson Road; Kernersville, NC 27284
336-993-9046
www.carolinespromise4u.org/assistance info@carolinespromise4u.org
Provides $3,000 grants to Christian Couples living in North Carolina

China Care Foundation
P. O. Box 607; Westport, CT 06881
203-227-3655
www.chinacare.org info@chinacare.org
They provide grants and/or low-interest loans to families who qualify by adopting special needs or older children. Typically $1,000 to $3,000.

Gift of Adoption Fund
101 East Pier Street, 1st Floor; Port Washington, WI 53074
262-268-1386 or 877-905-2367
www.giftofadoption.org info@giftofadoption.org
Provides grants regardless of marital status, race, creed, or national origin. The amounts vary between $2,000 and $5,000.

God's Grace Adoption Ministry
P. O. Box 4; Modesto, CA 95353
209-572-4539
www.ggam.org info@ggam.org
Provides grants to two parent Christian families ranging from $1,000 to $4,000.

Hadassah's Hope
20472 Crescent Bay, Suite 100, Lake Forest, CA 92630
949-600-5252
www.hadassahshope.org customerservice@hadassahshope.org
Striving to help families with the financial burdens of adopting internationally.

Hebrew Free Loan
131 Stewart Street, Suite 425, San Francisco, CA 94105
415-546-9902
www.hflasf.org info@hflasf.org
Provide interest free loans up to $10,000 for adopting families in Northern California

I CARE Foundation
P. O. Box 19020, Baltimore, MD 21284
800-513-9896
www.intlcare.org info@intlcare.org
Provides grants for international adoptions

International Adoption Resources
1080 Boranda Avenue, Mountain View, CA 94040
650-969-1819
www.theiar.org
International adoption grants ranging from $500 to $1,500 as funds are available.

Lifesong for Orphans
P. O. Box 40; 202 North Ford Street, Gridley, IL 61744
309-747-3556
www.lifesongfororphans.org info@lifesongfororphans.org
Christian organization provides matching grants and interest free 'covenant' loans to adopting families

National Council for Adoption
www.adoptioncouncil.org
Has established an adoption loan program with Bank of America
888-628-7700 priority code LODK

North American Council on Adoptable Children
800-470-6665 or 651-644-3036
www.nacac.org/adoptionsubsidy adoption.assistance@nacac.org
Provides adoption financial assistance information by state

Northwest Airlines Special Delivery
www.nwa.com/features/adopt.shtml
They Provide significant fare discounts for international adoptions.

Promise the Children
11939 Manchester Road, Suite 136, St.Louis, MO 63131
www.promisethechildren.org ptcstaff@swbell.net
Grant recipients are chosen without regard to age of adoptive parents, current family size, race or religion, or marital status. Adoption agency must be an approved agency.

Sea of Faces Foundation
6920-B Bradlick Shopping Center #200, Annandale, VA 22003
www.seaoffaces.org director@seaoffaces.org
Grants of $1,000 to $3,000 for professing
Christian families adopting from a developing country


Shaohanna's Hope
P. O. Box 647, Franklin, TN 37065
615-550-5600
www.shaohannahshope.org
They provide grant assistance to Christian families up to $7,000. Single parent adoptions are acceptable.

The ABBA Fund
P. O. Box 7880; Charlotte, NC 28271-7042
888-775-3422
www.abbafund.org
The ABBA Fund assists Christian couples who are committed to train and educate their children in accordance with Biblical Principles. They will grant interest free 'covenant' loans which do not require collateral or a promissory note.

HelpUsAdopt.org
http://www.helpusadopt.org/faqs.html
info@helpusadopt.org