Adoption Financial Assistance
One of the most commonly made statements about adoption is how expensive it is. Adoption is expensive! There is no argument that it is not. There are ways in which adoption can be done with reduced expenses as long as prospective parents are willing to do a little research and put some elbow grease into the venture.
Adoption is expensive for several reasons. Yes, there is some bureaucracy within adoption and often it can seem as though the price of paper must have gone through the roof. Consider, however, that somewhere in a little orphanage is a child awaiting adoption. It is very possible, particularly, for agency fees that much of the money goes toward supplying shelter, food, medical services, play equipments, clothing, and education to that child. It is good to remember when thinking of the expense of adoption that some of the money spent will go directly to the benefit of the child you are adopting.
Once prospective adoptive parents have chosen an accredited adoption agency and a country from which they are adopting the cost of the adoption will be easier to estimate. At this point the agency fees, home study fee, country fees and various other costs will be laid out for the prospective adoption parents to view and plan for. The cost of adoption is spread out over the course of the entire adoption making the financial commitment more manageable.
In addition the United States has the Adoption Tax Credit, which is of great financial benefit to adoptive families. The Adoption Tax Credit allows adoptive parents to deduct dollar for dollar all qualifying adoption expenses from owed federal income taxes. There are a small amount of adoption grants that can be applied for as well. Many of the grants offer several hundred to several thousand dollars to parents in the process of adoption. Private grants are available, however, should not be counted on as the main source of funding an adoption. Most grant programs require an application fee and can only given funding to a small percent of applicants. Those parents adopting a waiting or special needs child have a higher chance of receiving a grant to assist in the adoption costs.
Prospective adoptive parents needing to further reduce costs should consider opening their homes to a waiting (older) child, child with special needs, or adopting from the United States Foster Care system. Parents that do not have their heart set on an infant or those that have the ability to care for a child with special needs will find that there are an abundance of precious children in need of a loving and permanent family. Adopting a child that is older or has special needs has been a wonderful lifelong experience of love for many adoptive families.
Adoptive parents have been incredibly creative in finding ways to fund their adoptions. The popular saying, “if there is a will there is a way” has been the motto of many adoptive parents who feel a call to adoption but do not necessarily have the bank account to support that calling.
Here are some suggestions that prospective adoptive parents have done in order to raise money for their adoptions:
- Garage Sale
Families can advertise a garage sale in their local newspaper. Fellow garage sale junkies tend to shop on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday mornings. The earlier the garage sale the better! In the newspaper advertisement, which in general is under $25.00 to print, a family can let possible shoppers know of all the nifty items they have for sale. It is recommended that at the garage sale families have a sign advertising that the garage sale will benefit their adoption. A bake sale with cookies and brownies, coffee, and tea is not a bad addition to this either. Remember to play background music, be friendly, and take this good opportunity to connect with people in your community.
- Adoption Community Sale
An adoption sale is like a typical garage sale on steroids. This can be accomplished in several ways. If adoptive parents know other prospective adoptive families they can combine resources and host a garage sale in a public place such as a church. Friends, family, and fellow church member can donate items to the sale. This is a great excuse for people to clear out their unneeded items. If possible, persons that want to donate can drop off their items at the location of the sale or be given the option to have their items picked up. This will help attain donations from people who lack time or physical ability to bring their items to the sale location. The sale is set up so that it works for the space provided. Again, music and creating an atmosphere that is relaxing and fun is a great way encourage shopping. The advertisement in the newspaper should state the sale will benefit the adoption of several children in the community. At the sale, in order to make some extra income, local retailers can donate items that can be raffled off. This is also another great avenue to host a bake sale for hungry shoppers! The profit of the sale is then split between participating families. This option is hard work, but a fun way to connect with other adoptive families and raise money. In addition, it positively promotes adoption within the community.
- Support Letters
Prospective adoptive families can create a packet of information about adoption, the country they are adopting from, and their adoption needs. The packet can be created to have some neat graphics and even photographs of the child’s country of origin. Many people have relatives and friends who would enjoy supporting adoption through contributing some funding. This packet or letter can be sent to these people to not only announce the adoption but to ask for financial support as well.
- Internet Catalog/Sales
There are a variety of organizations that have begun to assist adoptive families in fundraising. These organizations provide adoptive parents the opportunity to fundraise by selling catalog items such as candles, home interiors, kitchen supplies, cosmetics, and more. This type of fundraiser takes time in order to hand out catalogs, host parties, and fill orders. However, for a little extra time in the evening hours a lot of money could be raised to go towards adoption fees.
- Movie Night
Adoptive parents can invite friends over for movie and snacks. The fee cannot be charged to view the movie, but it can be charged for an evening of games and snacks. The idea is really to have fellowship and fun with friends while raising some money towards the adoption. In order to prepare for this evening the family can make a variety of fun snacks and set out games for the participants to do.
- Christmas, Birthday, Special Events
Those people preparing to adopt and needing to raise money can ask family members to donate money into an adoption fund rather than purchase gifts.
- Church participation
There are many churches that have a heart for adoption. Prospective parents can seek church participation in a variety of ways. The people within the church may be willing to provide financial support towards the adoption as a way to give and support. The church family may also be open to allowing adoptive families to hold creative fundraisers with in the church such as spending a Saturday ‘auctioned’ off to church members to help them clean up their yards or paint for a donations.
There are endless creative ideas that people can do to raise money towards an adoption. In general, because adoption is a beautiful act of love, people are eager to support prospective adoption parents as they work to afford the adoption fees. Prospective adoptive parents should brainstorm and use their creativity towards making this very attainable dream come true!
