| The number one reason otherwise qualified families | | | | at top dollar to help them. Be sure to keep your |
| state for not moving forward in their adoption is | | | | signs all looking the same and mentioning Adoption |
| because of funds. They are ready to love a child | | | | Garage Sale. You might also make up flyers to pass |
| through adoption, but are unable to adopt the child | | | | around at church, local schools, and work. |
| that they have always wanted due to money | | | | " Adoption Grants - Though you may not be aware |
| concerns. As sad as this is, we faced the same thing | | | | of them, there are some grants that perhaps may |
| 20 years ago and found if there is a will there is a | | | | help with some of the expense of adopting a child. |
| way. | | | | Many of these grants will help cover international |
| Adoptions can be expensive, running from around | | | | adoptions, or adoptions of special needs adoptions. |
| $12,000 to $25,000 for home studies, agency fees, | | | | Most grants range from $2,000 - $5,000, but can go |
| legal representation costs, facilitation fees and travel, | | | | much higher if you fit the requirements. Often, these |
| among other items. What many people don't realize is | | | | grants are need-based. Some are faith based - a list |
| that there are alternatives for adoption funding. | | | | is included the book found online or you may request |
| Most people don't think twice about signing loan | | | | a copy from your library. offers grants for African |
| papers for a car, but don't want to do the same for | | | | American infant and older child adoptions to qualifying |
| an adoption. An adoption will last longer than the car | | | | adoptive parents |
| and give more joy over a lifetime. The following | | | | " Adoption Loans and Lines of Credit - Loan |
| information is to help you find a way to get started | | | | programs geared toward adoption are another |
| sooner than later and find a way to adopt no matter | | | | alternative many prospective adoptive parents are |
| what your financial situation is. | | | | unaware of. An adoption loan makes it possible to |
| Getting creative with funding is the key to financing | | | | have the money needed to adopt a child now. It also |
| the adoption you've been dreaming about. Working | | | | allows you to repay the loan in payments. A line of |
| toward adding a child to your family may not be | | | | credit can be even better, as you only borrow when |
| easy, but it will be well worth the effort taken to | | | | you need it. This is a great idea if you simply do not |
| find these resources. Some families are finding | | | | have a large amount of cash on hand to fund an |
| through these suggestions they are able to adopt for | | | | adoption, and payments would make adoption a |
| free or for less than they had ever expected. | | | | great deal more affordable and allow you to get |
| Remember you get out what you put in, so the | | | | started faster. You might also ask your parents for a |
| more research you do, the better you will be at | | | | loan to help you adopt. Depending on the relationship, |
| finding money for your adoption. | | | | this might be the best way to get started and then |
| " Employer's adoption benefit - The first thing you | | | | pay it back. Visit they have more than one program |
| want to check into is your employee adoption | | | | and can also help families with less than perfect |
| benefit- this is becoming more popular and more small | | | | credit. |
| and medium size companies are offering some type | | | | " Plan a Fundraiser, some families have successfully |
| of adoption credit for their employees. For example, | | | | planned a Spaghetti Feed at their church. You might |
| Verizon has a $10,000 adoption benefit, and Pepsi has | | | | ask for donations of food and plan a silent auction |
| a generous adoption benefit as well. Small companies | | | | from local businesses that want the extra exposure. |
| have found tax benefits to offering these adoption | | | | " Set up an "adoption walkathon" - ask friends and |
| incentives to their benefit package - ask your Human | | | | family to pledge a dollar per mile to help bring your |
| Resource Dept for details. Or visit Adoption-Friendly | | | | child or baby home through adoption. |
| Workplace Program. They offer free materials to | | | | For any successful fundraiser, be sure to contact the |
| help people advocate for adoption benefits in their | | | | local press, including radio stations for interviews and |
| workplace. Call 877-777-4222 for details. | | | | to post your event on and in flyers at local schools, |
| " The Federal Tax Credit is over $10,000. To learn | | | | churches, businesses and remember to let friends and |
| more about this credit, visit for an audio interview | | | | family members know. |
| with a Tax Specialist explaining the details about the | | | | There are several ways to raise the money needed |
| adoption tax credit and what you can and can't | | | | for adoption if you are creative. Having a yard sale or |
| deduct. Or, visit for forms. | | | | raising money through online auctions may not seem |
| " Savings- sounds simple, but you have to start | | | | like it would bring you a lot of help, but it will. One |
| somewhere and it will help motivate you to add to it. | | | | mother I helped raised over $1,200 on one garage |
| If you have made the decision to adopt, start saving | | | | sale and over $2,500 on her online auctions. Two |
| money right away; the sooner the better. Just | | | | hours per night is all it takes to sell in online auctions. |
| cutting back on Starbucks lattes can help - at $5 a | | | | An exceptional amount can be raised if friends and |
| day you can stash enough to get you started. | | | | family donate items to your cause. You might be |
| " Raising Money With Online Auctions - Go through | | | | surprised at how the extra items can make a |
| your garage, attic and house for treasures and | | | | difference. Any amount helps, and if you still find |
| unused items that you have stowed away and | | | | yourself short of what you need, there are grants |
| forgotten about. Ask friends for donations of items | | | | and loans to help you obtain the money you need. |
| they don't want. Run a free ad to ask for donations | | | | Remember the tax credit and employer benefits - |
| for funding your adoption. Selling these online through | | | | these are the first to investigate. |
| auction can aid you in raising a good amount of | | | | With a little foresight and planning and the many |
| money. Try or | | | | adoption funding options available today, the average |
| " Have a Yard Sale - Whatever you cannot sell online, | | | | family has a chance to bring the light of love into |
| you may be able to sell at a yard sale. Ask relatives | | | | their home with the adoption of a child. Families are |
| and friends if they have any old usable items that | | | | able to adopt for much less than they might have |
| they can donate toward your "Adoption Yard Sale." | | | | thought. There are so many children out there that |
| Two hopeful adoptive mothers I know created | | | | need the warm and secure home you have to offer; |
| banners to hang over their garage - stating they | | | | why not take advantage of every funding alternative |
| were funding their adoption and neighbors and other | | | | available to you? Completing your family circle with an |
| community families donated boxes and also bought | | | | adoption will soon be more than just a dream! |