How to Fund an Adoption
Updated: 2/5/09
This is something I will periodically update as there are an increasing number of resources to help fund an adoption. Contact me if you have any suggestions to add to the list. I encourage folks to make use of as many as possible, as you have need.
Federal Adoption Tax Credit
Currently the federal adoption tax credit provides a credit of up to $12,150 per child (2009) for “qualified adoption expenses.” This credit has helped many couples plan and finance their adoption. Additional details about the Federal Adoption Tax Credit can be found at here.
Interest-Free Adoption Loans
- The ABBA Fund is designed to help Christian families overcome the financial obstacles of adoption through interest-free loans that can be paid back over time.
- LegacyChild is a ministry of the ABBA Fund designed for families to set up memorial funds in memory of a loved one. The family is able to choose a pre-approved family that is waiting for funding for their adoption from our website to receive an interest-free loan. Click here to find out how you can start a memorial fund and click here to see the families waiting for funding for their adoption.
- Lifesong and Family Legacies are two other organizations that provide interest-free loans.
- Other loan options worth looking into are Home Equity Loans, Lines of Credit, borrowing from family or friends, low-interest credit cards.
Fundraising
A legitimate way to raise money for your adoption is through good ol’ fashioned fundraising. I have heard of families selling baked goods, holding garage sales, etc. My wife and I were given 200 worship CD’s by a friend who has a band that we in turn sold for $10 a piece to friends at church. We sold over 120 CD’s and that paid for a good portion of the home study costs. There are many possibilities here. Check out my post on Adoption Fundraising ideas.
Gifts
Many friends and family, once they realize how much adoption costs, will joyfully give to help out. I recommend being honest with people about how much adoption costs and at the same time honest about your trust in God to provide those finances. We were blessed to receive a number of one-time gifts from individuals whom God stirred to give.
Grants
There are a number of ministries that give grants that are worth looking into, most notably:
- Shaohannah’s Hope
- Caroline’s Promise (North Carolina only)
- God’s Grace Adoption Ministries (matching grants)
- The MICAH Fund (Midwest only)
- International Children’s Adoption Resource Effort
- National Adoption Foundation
- A Child Waits
- Our Creators Hope
- The LYDIA Fund (International Adoptions)
- Katelyn’s Fund
- Orphan Impact
- Cadman Foundation
Employer Adoption Assistance
A number of companies have adoption assistance programs built into their benefits with some providing between $2000 to $8000. For more information visit www.adoptionfriendlyworkplace.org
Church Adoption Assistance Funds
An increasing number of churches are establishing Adoption Funds as part of their budgets. Our current church has such a fund though it is not widely advertised. I recommend asking your pastor whether your church has something set up. If not, ask about starting a fund. This may feel awkward or a conflict of interest but I believe that the long-term benefit to the church will outweigh the benefit you will receive if it is setup right. For information on how the ABBA Fund can help you establish and administrate a Church Matching Grant and Interest-Free Loan Fund for Adoption at your church visit our website here.
More Information About the Cost of Adoption and Financial Assistance Alternatives:
- Download Adoption Costs & Financial Assistance Resoources – a PDF from Irving Bible Church.
- Funding Adoption at adoptionblogs.com
Trackbacks & Pingbacks
- Updated: How to Fund an Adoption « The ABBA Fund Blog
- Serrano Adoption Testimony « The ABBA Fund Blog
- How to Fund an Adoption « Growing in Grace
- Adoptive Dads » Blog Archive » You Can Afford to Adopt
- The Kingdom of God and the Fatherless « SoCal Theologica: Musings from the West Coast
- How to fund an adoption « Love Builds Families
My family has been attending BB for about a month now. We love BB because the sermons are right on — no watered down stuff — and they support missions and adoption. We are in the beginning stages of adoption..actually we don’t have any money for adopting really at all. We need to raise every penny of it. We feel led to adopt internationally, but feel overwhelmed by how much it costs. We looked at Bethany and the cost to adopt in Russia is about $50K. We just can’t afford it. Maybe God is leading us somewhere else?? How do you know where God is leading? There are so many that need help. And we do feel led to adopt, just struggling with where. Thanks for these pointers.
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God,Even to them that believe on his name.” John 1:12
SOUL2 SMINISTRIES
P. O. BOX NO. 3. TENALI- 522 201. GUNTUR (DT) A. P. INDIA
======================================================================================
Rev. P. EPHRAIM
To,
Dear servants of God
Greetings to you in the most precious name of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ.
Let me introduce myself that my Name is P. Ephraim, pastor. We have established a Christian Organization named “Society of the Prince of Peace” with the Help of some Faithful Christians. We established this society only because that we can proclaim the spirit of God in our Area. Some of our Gospel Teams have been Distributing the Bible free Tracts and Booklets in the particular centers Hospitals, Educational Centers and some Remote villages of our Area. By the Grace of God we are running a Christian Lending Library in my town since 1997. So many people are come and search the scriptures and saved their souls to our Lord’s kingdom through these scriptures. I will be able to succeed this program. So we request you please pray for my spiritual need and send some Bibles, Bible based material to my library purpose.
We have a good team of youth 15 members, they are all involved Tracts distributions, street preaching and they are visit to some remote villages and proclaim the God’s words and distribute the free tracts and new testaments. So we need some more Gospel tracts and Library material to my area people spiritual help. Kindly consider my request and send the above material to me. We win some souls here through these materials. God bless you always. I am waiting for your kind reply.
Pls Prayer for our Need ‘s: – OUR TEAMS ARE VISIT TO SOME REMOTE VILLAGES , AND SPRED THE WORD OF GOD AND DISTRIBUTE THESE TRACTS FREEIY. OUR TEAMS VISIT TO HOSPITAL EDUCATIONAL CENTRES WEEKIY ONCE I HAVE NEED OF MORE THEN TRACTS & BIBLE’S . . . OUR TEAMS NEED OF ONE MOBILE VAN PLS PRAYER FOR OUR NEED IN MY AREA
MY AREA WILL COME TO FLOOD SO KIDS LOSE OF SOME OF FATHER & MOTHER NEED OF
1 ORPHEN HOME IN MY AREA
We pray for you and your Family and also your ministry in my Regular prayers.
Yours in His Service Forever
Rev.P. Ephraim
Pls See Our Web Site: – http://www.soulsaveministriesindia.blogspot.com
“Leading People into a Life – Changing and Productive Relationship with Jesus Chris”
PLS PRAYER FOR MY AREA MINISTRY WORK NEED’S