Financial Assistance

1. Federal Adoption Tax Credit: On January 2, 2013, Congress passed a bill that made the federal adoption tax credit permanent. Families may be eligible for the adoption tax credit in the tax year they finalize an eligible adoption. The maximum amount will vary from year to year and is non-refundable. For adoptions finalized in 2013, the maximum adoption credit is $12,970 per child. For more information about the Federal Adoption Tax Credit, visit www.adoptiontaxcredit.org/faqs and consult with a licensed tax preparer.

2. State Tax Credits: Some states provide non-recurring adoption fee reimbursements. Contact a licensed tax preparer in your state for more information.

3. Employer Assistance: Your employer may offer adoption benefits to their employees. Ask your Human Resources department or visit the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption list of adoption-friendly employers. If you are interested in proposing that your company provide adoption benefits, you are welcome to refer to the adoption benefit proposal written by adoptive parent David Greene. (This document is downloadable in Adobe Acrobat Reader format. For a free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader, visit http://www.adobe.com). The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption also offers a free Adoption-Friendly Workplace Toolkit and recognizes the forward-thinking employers that already have adoption benefits in place.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

1. 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.
   
   
2. 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.
   
   
3. 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.
   
   
4. 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.
   
   
5. 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.


6. 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.


7. 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.


8. 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.

1. 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.
   
   
2. 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.
   
   
3. United Healthcare Children's Foundation
   Grants to cover prescribed medical services (not fully covered by insurance) for children in need.
   
   
4. 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.

1. Caroline's Promise
$3,000 grants to adoptive families in North and South Carolina.


2. Ibsen Adoption Network
   Grants and fundraising assistance to Washington adoptive families.
   
   
3. Kinsman Redeemer
   Grants from $1,000 to $7,000 awarded to Christian adoptive couples living in, or with family ties to, Missouri.

1. God's Grace Adoption Ministry
   Grants and interest free loans for eligible Christian adoptive families.
   
   
2. Sea of Faces Foundation
   $1,000 - $5,000 grants awarded to Christian adoptive couples.
   
   
3. Christian Advocates for Adoption
   Fundraising assistance for Christian adoptive couples.
   
   
4. America's Christian Credit Union
   Low interest rate adoption loans awarded to Christian couples.
   

1. A Child Waits Foundation
   Low interest loans and grants for adoption.
   
   
2. Perpetual Change
   Grants every 4-6 months and/or assistance in raising adoption funds. No religious criteria.
   
   
3. Gift of Adoption Fund
Grants are awarded monthly and range from $1,000 to $7,500 (the average grant award is $3,500).


4. Pathways for Little Feet
   Interest free loans to adoptive families. No religious criteria.
   
   
5. 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.
   
   
6. Affording Adoption Foundation
   Grants awarded at various times throughout the year and based on financial need.
   
   
7. Adopt Together
   A non-profit crowd-funding platform helping families raise money to pay for adoption costs.

1. Adoption.com
2. Resources 4 Adoption
3. Child Welfare Information Gateway