Grants Available for Adoptive Parents

A few weeks ago I picked up a copy of People magazine and happened across an article about HelpUsAdopt.org and its founder, Becky Fawcett. HelpUsAdopt is a not-for-profit program that provides qualified couples and individuals with grants up to $15,000 toward their domestic or international adoption or foster care expenses. What I especially love is that, unlike some other assistance programs I’ve heard about before, Becky’s group helps people regardless of race, ethnicity, marital status, gender, sexual orientation or race. 

Here’s a little clip from a Today show feature on her important work:

Adoption expenses can vary widely depending on the situation, but just as point of reference, Don and I expect to spend about $30,000. For some people, especially those who tried expensive infertility treatments before exploring adoption, the cost is prohibitive.

If you’re a casual reader on the subject of adoption it might occur to you that people who can’t afford the process would be well advised to reconsider their choices, but let me assure you that no one is letting families or individuals who can’t afford to raise a family adopt a child – and HelpUsAdopt is pretty clear on that point, too. There’s a big difference between managing the on-going additional expenses that a child brings to a family – any family – and finding the additional $20,0000 – $30,000 it will cost for adoptive parents to bring their child home.  To qualify for a grant, you have to have an approved home study – which means, among other things, that a state-licensed agency believes you have the financial means to raise a child in a stable, healthy environment. These grants just help you bring baby home a little easier.

You also have to show that you have financial obstacles and need assistance with the up-front expenses, and you have to be able to “distinguish the difference between not wanting to write the check(s) for your adoption expenses and not being able to.”

Don and I don’t qualify for one of these grants, but I still think they are pretty great. If you agree, you can support the organization’s mission in a whole bunch of ways:

• Buy a HelpUsAdopt bracelet, necklace or tote bag
  (I especially like the second bracelet and the first necklace)
• Attend an event
• Make a donation

Here are some other financial resources for folks pursuing adoption.

Did you find creative financial resources to help with your adoption?