10/6/13 Update:
I found this listing with even more resources: http://www.bethany.org/assets/guides/Adoption-Financial-Resources.pdf
Grants
Gift of Adoption Fund
http://www.giftofadoption.org/
Eligibility: Any type of family
Range: $1,000-$3,500
Cost to apply: $50
Awards: Monthly
Factors Considered: status of referral or match, estimated travel and placement timeframe, extent of remaining need
Timeframe: "Although qualified applicants are invited to apply anytime after the successful completion of a home study, the committee will not typically review applications until a match or referral has been accepted and the adoption is expected to happen within six months"
What you need: their application, most recent tax form, recent check stub, copy of approved homestudy, two letters of reference
Meets BBB standards
Show Hope
http://showhope.org/restore-hope/adoption-aid/#
Eligibility: Christian singles or families
Range: Average of $4,000
Cost to apply: None noted
Awards: Six times per year (deadlines of Feb 28th, April 30th, Jun 30th, Aug 31st, Oct 31st, and Dec 31st)
Factors Considered: "Funding priority will be given, but not limited, to families with the greatest financial need who complete the application process with integrity, establishing that they are equipped to provide a child with a loving home consistent with the founding principles of Show Hope".
Timeframe: Once homestudy is completed (have to be using a placement agency)
What you need: Church address, phone number, e-mail and website; IRS tax information for the last two years it is available (Copies of those year's W2s and tax returns); Net worth of property, investments, goods, and liquid assets; Annual budget information for both income and expenses; Address, phone, name, and email of your adoption agency and caseworker; Your home study (these will help you fill out all documentation which includes statement of faith, financial worksheets, letter from agency, letter from pastor/church)
Charity Navigator score
Help Us Adopt
http://www.helpusadopt.org/faqs.html
Eligibility: "Anyone, as long as you are a US Citizen residing in the US. You must be able to demonstrate that you can provide a stable home environment for the child (approved home study) while demonstrating that you are facing significant financial obstacles and need financial assistance with your adoption expenses. Helpusadopt.org accepts applications from couples and individuals regardless of race, religion, gender, ethnicity, marital status or sexual orientation."
Range: $500-$15,000
Cost to apply: None noted
Awards: Twice a year (deadlines of 4/12/13 and 10/11/13)
Factors Considered: priority given to applicants without children; must demonstrate that while you can provide a stable environment for a child, you are facing significant financial obstacles and need financial assistance with your adoption expenses; must distinguish the difference between "not wanting" to write the check(s) for your adoption expenses and "not being able to".
Timeframe: Once homestudy is completed
What you need: application (online), copy of homestudy, copy of most recent tax return, typed personal statement
*GRANTS MUST be utilized within 12 months of award, or else are returned to agency
Lifesong for Orphans- Matching grant
http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/adoption-funding/adoption-grants/
"We provide you with a matching grant and a support raising kit. The grant acts as a catalyst to the process which allows friends who wish to support your adoption to receive tax deductible receipts for their donations".
Eligibility: Two parent Christian homesRange: $1,000-$4,000 (matched to amount fundraised)
Cost to apply: None noted
Awards: Ongoing basis (application processed in 8-10 weeks)
Factors Considered: The leading of the Holy Spirit; The need of the child (special needs, older child etc); The financial need of the prospective adoptive parents; the referral and level of support from the local church pastor/leader; availability of funds
What you need: application (online), photograph, tax return, copy of homestudy, letter from pastor
National Adoption Foundation
https://fundyouradoption.org/fund-your-adoption/our-programs/naf-grants/
Eligibility:Any type of family
Range: $500-$2,000
Cost to apply: $10
Awards: The amount of each grant and the number of adoption grants awarded depends on the funds available at the time of the Board’s meeting.
Factors Considered:Unknown
Timeframe: Our selection committee meets four times a year (March 31st, June 30th, September 30th and December 31st) . We only notify those who have been awarded grants either by phone or email by within 15 days after the close of the quarter.
What you need: application (online); PDF of homestudy
Loans
Lifesong for Orphans
http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/adoption-funding/adoption-grants/
Loan amounts are between $5,000-$10,000 and the exact amount is based on your financial need and Lifesong’s available funds. Repayment terms are determined on an individual basis and repayments are made on a monthly and/or annual basis.
Eligibility: Two parent Christian homes
Interest: Interest- free
12/2013 update: Application says loan amount between $3,000-$12,000
ABBA Fund
http://www.abbafund.org/faq.htm
There is no limit on the amount of assistance that a couple may request. However, at times our resources may be limited, so we expect the adopting parents to try to obtain financial assistance from other sources first (for example, your church, your employer, organizations providing grants, etc.) and use The ABBA Fund to make up any shortfall. That way, we are able to help more families.
Eligibility: Two parent Christian home; , (a) spiritual maturity; (b) worldview; (c) the length and stability of the applicants' marriage (but loans have been made to both young and old!); (d) church involvement; (e) philosophy of education; (f) whether the mother works outside the home or is at home with the children (the Board prefers the mother to be home with the children, although loans have been made in certain cases to couples where both parents work outside the home); and (g) how much of their own money the applicants are putting into the adoption (the Board prefers that the applicants have a large percentage invested in the adoption, but the Board has made loans in certain cases that covered almost all of the expenses due)
Interest: Interest-free
Fundraising
Both Hands
http://www.bothhandsfoundation.org/apply-for-adoption-assistance
Ask people you know to sponsor you while you and loved ones make minor repairs and do home improvement projects on the home of a widow (get supplies donated, and this allows you to keep 100% of what people donate). This organization supports you through the entire process: gathering a team, writing letters, etc. Their guidance is totally free based on donations they receive. I have personally met the director/founder, and I can say this is a great organization!
What you need: application (online), financial statements, copy of homestudy, most recent tax return
http://www.walkingbytheway.com/blog/the-ultimate-list-of-adoption-fundraisers/
Here is an ultimate list of adoption fundraising options, everything from t-shirts to selling jewelry to car washes and more.
Eligibility: Two parent Christian homes
Interest: Interest- free
12/2013 update: Application says loan amount between $3,000-$12,000
ABBA Fund
http://www.abbafund.org/faq.htm
There is no limit on the amount of assistance that a couple may request. However, at times our resources may be limited, so we expect the adopting parents to try to obtain financial assistance from other sources first (for example, your church, your employer, organizations providing grants, etc.) and use The ABBA Fund to make up any shortfall. That way, we are able to help more families.
Eligibility: Two parent Christian home; , (a) spiritual maturity; (b) worldview; (c) the length and stability of the applicants' marriage (but loans have been made to both young and old!); (d) church involvement; (e) philosophy of education; (f) whether the mother works outside the home or is at home with the children (the Board prefers the mother to be home with the children, although loans have been made in certain cases to couples where both parents work outside the home); and (g) how much of their own money the applicants are putting into the adoption (the Board prefers that the applicants have a large percentage invested in the adoption, but the Board has made loans in certain cases that covered almost all of the expenses due)
Interest: Interest-free
Fundraising
Both Hands
http://www.bothhandsfoundation.org/apply-for-adoption-assistance
Ask people you know to sponsor you while you and loved ones make minor repairs and do home improvement projects on the home of a widow (get supplies donated, and this allows you to keep 100% of what people donate). This organization supports you through the entire process: gathering a team, writing letters, etc. Their guidance is totally free based on donations they receive. I have personally met the director/founder, and I can say this is a great organization!
What you need: application (online), financial statements, copy of homestudy, most recent tax return
http://www.walkingbytheway.com/blog/the-ultimate-list-of-adoption-fundraisers/
Here is an ultimate list of adoption fundraising options, everything from t-shirts to selling jewelry to car washes and more.
http://www.addingaburden.com/2012/08/adoption-fundraising-advice.html
Here is a list from "Adding a Burden" which is a great adoption blog I love to read!
Other
http://kidsactivitiesblog.com/2195/save-money
Here are tips on being frugal and just in general saving money. So far two big things we have cut out to save money are not eating out as often and forgoing a vacation 2 years in a row (we normally go on a pretty big shebang every year in May).
http://adoptiontaxcredit.org/faqs/
The Adoption Tax Credit was approved several months ago (see my previous posts). Basically, you can get a $12,970 credit per child. The credit is not a deduction. The credit is a dollar for dollar reduction in the amount of federal taxes owed for the year. It can be carried over 6 years, assuming that most people won't have that high of a liability over just one or two years.
So, you will still need to have all your adoption expenses up front, but over the course of the next several years after finalization, you can get some money back on your taxes. This can help either by you using an interest free loan through above listed or other organization and utilizing this credit to pay them back, or to pay yourself back if you are taking money out of savings to pay for the adoption.
Here is a list from "Adding a Burden" which is a great adoption blog I love to read!
Other
http://kidsactivitiesblog.com/2195/save-money
Here are tips on being frugal and just in general saving money. So far two big things we have cut out to save money are not eating out as often and forgoing a vacation 2 years in a row (we normally go on a pretty big shebang every year in May).
http://adoptiontaxcredit.org/faqs/
The Adoption Tax Credit was approved several months ago (see my previous posts). Basically, you can get a $12,970 credit per child. The credit is not a deduction. The credit is a dollar for dollar reduction in the amount of federal taxes owed for the year. It can be carried over 6 years, assuming that most people won't have that high of a liability over just one or two years.
So, you will still need to have all your adoption expenses up front, but over the course of the next several years after finalization, you can get some money back on your taxes. This can help either by you using an interest free loan through above listed or other organization and utilizing this credit to pay them back, or to pay yourself back if you are taking money out of savings to pay for the adoption.
