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FAQs About Holt’s Adoption Grants

Answers to the most frequently asked questions about Holt’s adoption grant campaign to help waiting children with special needs join families. 

smiling little boy piggybacking on dad with mom walking
“We strongly encourage other families to not shy away from special needs adoption! What you don’t know or understand, you will learn. What skills you lack, you will gain. What fears you have will be erased when you pray and seek the support of others, especially those who have made a similar journey. In fact, our support system has grown tenfold since we brought our son home. And the funding, whatever you do, do not let this deter you.” — Jade and David Presnell, Micah’s parents

What are Holt’s adoption grants?

At Holt, we believe money should never stand between a child and a loving family. That’s why we offer adoption grants — to help cover the cost of adoption for families who have the desire and capacity to care for a waiting child with special needs, but may lack the financial means to cover all the fees and expenses required to adopt.

Funded through the generosity of Holt donors, special grants in the range of $3,000 to $5,000 will go to help find families for children with special needs on Holt’s waiting child photolisting. These children were specifically identified to receive the grant because they have either waited the longest for a family or need the most help finding the right loving family capable of meeting their unique needs.

There are also some grants of varying amounts available that are assigned to specific children, and these are not based on financial aid.

All children with grants available can be seen on the Holt waiting child photolisting.

Do all of the children with grants have complex medical needs?

Some do, but not all. The children who will receive these grants have waited years for a family. Some have special needs like cerebral palsy, dwarfism or Thalassemia. Some are part of sibling groups and need a family open to adopting two or three children. In some cases, their only special need is that they are older — 10, 11 or 12 years old and otherwise healthy.

Who is eligible for a grant?

Grants are pre-assigned to specifically identified children with special needs on the Holt waiting child photolisting. Once a family has been approved to adopt one of these specific children, the grant will automatically be awarded to the family to offset Holt’s adoption program fee.

Do families have to demonstrate financial need?

Because our goal is to help children with special needs join the loving families they deserve, we want to eliminate as many barriers as possible. To that end, families do not have to demonstrate financial need to adopt a child pre-identified to receive a $10,000 grant. 

In certain cases, families may also apply for a grant to adopt a child on the waiting child photolisting other than those who have already been pre-identified to receive an adoption grant. These families will need to demonstrate financial need and will be approved on a case-by-case basis.

What fee(s) will the grant pay for/not pay for?

The grant to adopt a child with special needs will help offset Holt’s adoption fees, which varies by country program.

Are families still eligible for other Holt grants if they receive a $10,000 grant?

Yes! If a family receives an adoption grant, they may still apply for additional funding through Holt to help cover their homestudy, travel expenses, etc. Families will need to demonstrate financial need to receive any additional funding above and beyond this grant.

Can grant recipients apply for other non-Holt grants?

Of course! Families can apply for outside grants, loans and any other help they need to finance their adoption. To learn about different grant organizations, the Adoption Tax Credit, DIY fundraising, low or no-interest loans and other financial support available to prospective adoptive families, visit Holt’s Financial Assistance page. Holt families are able to receive a free, professional finance coach!

I can’t adopt right now, but I’d love to help a waiting child join a family. How can I support this campaign?

Even if you can’t adopt, you can still help a waiting child join a loving family! Your gift to the Families Not Finances campaign will help cover adoption fees and expenses for a child who has waited longest or needs the most help finding the right loving family. Through your gift, you will also help provide food, medical care and education for other children with special needs who are waiting. Give a gift now!

We also need child advocates to share about the Families Not Finances campaign, the grants available, and the children who wait! When you post about the campaign on social media, or share with your community, you could be the link between a loving family and a child who truly needs one.

Have a question about Holt adoption grants that we didn’t answer here?

Contact our adoption team!

smiling girl with Down syndrome waiting to be adopted

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