Depending on how you choose to adopt, it can be an expensive endeavor. Fortunately, we live in a day and age where there are many options for funding your adoption. That hasn’t always been the case. Adoption funding has been a great challenge to families in the past. Here are some ways you can receive financial help to adopt a child:
Fundraising: There are several ways to receive help through a fundraiser. You can use a crowdsourcing site to have friends donate, throw a dinner with free will offering, a silent auction or you can sell any number of items your friends, family, the community may want or need. T-shirts, mugs, wreaths, depending on the season and the area, the possibilities are endless.
Employer Contribution: Luckily, several employers are becoming more adoption aware. In many cases, employers offer an adoption reimbursement for a certain amount per completed adoption. The amounts and specifications will differ per employer. Contact your human resources department to inquire about what your employer offers.
Grants: Many organizations offer adoption grants. First and foremost, check with your agency. They may have a list of grant opportunities, and in some instances offer those grants themselves. Research on the internet will also provide you with various organizations offering grant opportunities.
Church: Often churches will set aside funds for families within the church to offset the cost of adoption. Check with your church to see what may be available for your adoption funding.
Loans: An increasing number of institutions offer adoption loans. They come in many shapes and sizes. You’ll want to do your research, but there are also many articles that compile listings of the most affordable options for your family.
Home Equity Loan/Line of Credit: Many families find that the easiest funds to access are those associated with their home equity. Check with your lender to find the best option for accessing your home equity funds in the most efficient, cost-effective way.
Adoption can be hard in every way. A combination of these options will hopefully take the stress out of the financial aspect of the adoption process.
Karla King is a passionate open adoption advocate, adoptive mom, foster mom, wife, reader, avid creator of food, a stay-at-home mom, and Christian. She loves taking care of her family, supporting others on the adoption journey, and watching the world through her children’s eyes.