Financial Assistance
Holt believes finances should not stop a child from having a loving family. Although many resources exist to help adoptive families offset the cost of adoption, it's not always clear where to start looking or what opportunities are best suited for your family. To help you consider all your options, Holt provides an outline of financial assistance, as well as a list of resources categorized by type. Click on a heading below to view contents.
1. Tax Credits: Federal Adoption Tax Credit: Congress extended The Adoption Tax Credit (ATC) through 2011 as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590), signed into law on March 22, 2010. The maximum credit increased from $12,150 to $13,170. Families may be eligible for the Adoption Tax Credit in the tax year they finalize an eligible adoption. For more information about the Adoption Tax Credit, click here and consult with a licensed tax preparer. State Tax Credits: Some states provide non-recurring adoption fee reimbursements. Contact a licensed tax preparer to inquire for more information.
2. Employer Assistance: Your employer may offer adoption benefits to their employees. Check our List of Companies Offering Adoption Benefits or ask your Human Resources department. If you are interested in proposing that your company provide adoption benefits, adoptive parent Melissa Sherlock provides an excellent template. (Tip: follow the link, select Save As... from the File menu, then open the document in a word processor.)
3. U.S. Military Reimbursement: Military service members who adopt a child under 18 years of age may be reimbursed for qualified adoption expenses up to $2000 per adoptive child (up to a total of $5000 if more than one child is adopted) per calendar year. For more information on this and other military adoption support visit the National Military Family Association's website.
4. Reduction of Adoption Program Fee: There may be a reduction in the adoption program fee if the child you are adopting has moderate to severe special needs. This is determined on a case-by-case basis. There is no reduction in fees for children with minor special needs.
5. Grants: An adoption grant is a great way to cover some of your family's adoption expenses. Before applying, it is important to check for grant eligibility criteria and application deadlines. Most grant organizations accept applications after the family has an approved home study and will administer funds directly to the family's service provider.
- The Abba Fund
Loans provided by ABBA Fund are interest free. Adopting
Christian couples may request financial assistance in any amount, based
upon their needs. The amount of financial
assistance will depend, in part,on the needs of the couple and the resources available to ABBA
Fund.
- Show
Hope
A
non-profit organization that mobilizes individuals and communities to meet
the most pressing needs of orphans in distress, by providing 1) homes for
waiting children through adoption aid grants, and 2) life-saving medical
care for orphans with special needs. Grants and fundraising opportunities offered to Christian
adoptive couples.
- Lifesong for Orphans
Lifesong offers matching grants
(range from $2,000-$4,000), which encourage the adopting couple's church
family to financially and prayerfully support the adoption. Dollar-for-dollar
matching grants act as catalysts in raising funds. The Lifesong Legacy
Fund offers interest free loans to help families overcome the high cost of
adoption.
- HelpUsAdopt.org
HelpUsAdopt.org is dedicated to the
countless parents waiting to adopt, and to the thousands of birth parents
selfless enough to give their children another chance for a loving family.
Adoption grants range from $500 to $15,000 dependent upon need and
priority is given to childless couples/individuals. HelpUsAdopt.org accepts applications from
couples/individuals regardless of race, religion, gender, ethnicity, or
marital status.
-
James 1:27
Foundation
The James 1:27 Foundation is a
Christian non-profit organization dedicated to making adoption affordable for
families in Iowa.Adoptiongrants are awarded to Christian
couples in the state of Iowa. Priority will be given to applicants who
demonstrate the greatest financial need.
- Katelyn's Fund
Through donations from
various families, churches, and communities, Katelyn's Fund has been given the
opportunity to provide grants to several Christian families. Grants ($3,000
each) awarded to Christian adoptive couples based on greatest financial need.
- Feng Li Li Foundation
180 Laurel Avenue
Forest, IL 60045
Phone: 847-482-0500
Grants awarded to Christian
adoptive couples. Must request an application by mail or
phone. No website.
- HANDinHAND Christian
Adoption, Inc.
HANDinHAND is dedicated to helping
children become part of "forever" families by partnering with
Christian couples to help carry the burden of the cost of adoption through
matching grants and the raising of support.
- Holt's
Special Needs Adoption Fund (SNAF): This fund assists families who
need additional financial support in order to adopt a waiting child. Holt
considers requests for this assistance on a case-by-case basis at the time
of assignment. After being matched with a special needs child, families
may request assistance from the SNAF from the country program director.
- The Brittany's Hope
Foundation: The
Brittany's Hope Foundation offers Seedlings Gifts directly to agencies.
The agencies then grant portions of the gift to families that are
matched with a waiting child and are in need of great financial
assistance. These grants help pay for a portion of the country program
fees and will be reimbursed after the child comes home. Families who
accept grants from Brittany's Hope are required to fundraise for donations
to Brittany's Hope equal to one-half of the Seedling Gift granted towards
the adoption. For more information please visit the Brittany's Hope website and contact Waiting
Child Program Staff.
-
United
Healthcare Children's Foundation
Grants
to cover prescribed medical services (not fully covered by insurance) for
children in need.
- Grant
Me A Chance
Grants for families adopting older children,
sibling groups, and children with special needs.
- Reece's Rainbow
Financial assistance for families
adopting a child with Down syndrome and other special needs in the form of
a "Family Sponsorship Program". No religious criteria.
- Caroline's Promise
$3,000 grants to adoptive families in North
and South Carolina.
-
Ibsen Adoption Network
Grants and fundraising assistance to
Washington adoptive families.
-
Kinsman Redeemer
Grants from $1,000 to $7,000 awarded
to Christian adoptive couples living in, or with family ties to, Missouri.
- A
Child Waits Foundation
Low interest
loans and grants for adoption.
- Perpetual Change
Grants every 4-6 months and/or
assistance in raising adoption funds. No religious criteria.
- Gift of Adoption Fund
Grants are awarded monthly and range from $1,000 to $7,500 (the average
grant award is $3,500).
- Pathways for Little Feet
Interest free loans to adoptive families.
No religious criteria.
- The Sparrow Fund
Grants awarded for professional adoption support services, such as medical consultations and pre-adoption counsel. (For both non-special needs and special needs adoptions.) Visit their website for a broad list of adoption-related medical/counseling resources.
- Affording Adoption Foundation
Grants awarded at various times throughout the year and based on financial need.
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