We provide the following information as a starting point. Please research carefully as this information may be outdated or not a good fit for you or your adoption. 

Please research any and all grants and loan programs thoroughly before making your decision as many be less favorable than others. Private adoption can cost $15,000 to $40,000 or even more, but credits, reimbursements, and other benefits can make your more affordable. If that is out of reach financially for you, please consider adopting a child from the public foster care system. Visit them ADOPT US KIDS.

If you find that one of these organizations is no longer in business, or information listed is incorrect, please notify our agency so we can update the list with the most current information available.

State Tax Credits
Several states have tax credits for adoptive families, sometimes restricted to those adopting from that state’s public child welfare system.  Contact your state adoption unit for more information.  If you live in one of the following states you might be able to qualify for $2000 in financial assistance:  Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Utah, Vermont.  http://www.nacac.org/subsidyfactsheets/internationaladoption.html

Military Subsidies 
Active-duty personnel are reimbursed for one-time adoption costs, whether adopting an infant, a waiting child, or a child from abroad.  Eligible personnel should complete DD form 2673 (Reimbursement for Adoption Expenses).  Find out more through local Personnel Support Units, or http://www.nmfa.org/adoption.html

Employee Benefits
Many employers are offering adoption benefits for employees, and the over-all dollar amount of these benefits is growing, with the average expense reimbursement now approaching $4,000. 

Grants and Loans 
Some adoption agencies and organizations offer adoption grants and/or low-cost loans.

Other Resource Possibilities
Consider cash advances from credit cards, taking out a second mortgage, home equity loans and special adoption loans.   You might even find financial support from friends and family.  Some people take on a second job while waiting for the adoption.

Refer to “How to Make Adoption an Affordable Option,” available from the National Endowment for Financial Education at www.nefe.org/adoption or by calling 888-878-3256 (item #508F).

Following are organizations that have varying resources for adoptive families.  This is only a partial list, and we regret that we are not able to provide further information or endorsements for any of the organizations.  Please feel free to call them or research them on-line to learn whether the assistance they provide may be applicable in your case.

African American Enrichment Program
Program exists to assist in the adoption of African-American newborns, children, and sibling groups.(530) 271-1740  www.africanamericanadoptionsonline.com

A Child Waits Foundation
A non-profit charitable foundation formed in 1998 to reduce the number of children not adopted from international orphanages because prospective parents lack the savings to pay for the cost of adoption. Eligibility to receive a loan is based on financial need and each case is judged individually.  (866) 999-2445 www.achildwaits.org

A Child’s Desire 
Grants are made directly to non-profit adoption agencies and a preference exists for supporting older child(ren) adoptions.  (318) 354-1229  grants@achildsdesire.org

Acres of Hope Adoption Assistance
A non-profit charitable foundation providing advocacy services, emotional and parent-to-parent support, financial assistance and a loan program to families with children facing physical and emotional challenges.  Support for families adopting special needs children cross-racially and cross-culturally, as well as sponsoring community outreach and acceptance programs.thenest@cheqnet.net

Boatner Foundation
Grants from $1,000 to $10,000 for adopting families.  Requirements include: financial statement, formal application, and agency approval.  Contact: The Boatner Foundation, P.O. Box 132272, The Woodlands, Texas 77393-2272.

Bright Futures Foundation
Nonprofit foundation helping internationally orphaned or abandoned children find forever families.  National fundraising efforts to help reduce the fees necessary to adopt waiting children. brightfutures@alltel.net

Caroline’s Promise
Grants of $3,000 to $5,000 to Christian families to help with the cost of international and/or domestic adoption.  Open only to residents of North Carolina as of this writing, but are hoping to expand nationwide.  (336) 993-9046  www.carolinespromise4u.org

Christian Adoption Resources, Inc.
Prospective adoptive couples may apply for a grant after they have an approved home study by a licensed adoption agency, and with a letter of recommendation from their adoption agency/attorney.  (717) 492-1868  CariMinistries@aol.com

DOMOI Foundation
The DOMOI Foundation promotes international adoptions, primarily from Russia and Eastern European countries by providing interest-free loans and financial assistance to adults ready and committed to adopt children from orphanages. (650) 969-1980

Gift of Adoption Foundation
The Fund provides financial assistance in the form of grants for adoptive parents.  Provides cash grants to subsidize a portion of the costs of adoption, awarded on a monthly basis with sums from $2000 to $5000. Available to single parents, families with previous children, and prospective adoptive parents who are adopting internationally, independently or through an agency.  (877) 905-2367 or (414) 268-1368 (for application).  www.giftofadoption.org

God’s Grace Adoption Ministry
Nonprofit organization to help provide assistance to Christian, predominately two-parent, families with incomes below $60,000.  Families with previous children welcome to apply.  www.ggam.org,  info@ggam.org

Grants for Adoption
Private foundation awarding grants to adopting parents.  info@grantsforadoption.com

HFLA – Hebrew Free-Loan Association
Interest free loans of up to $10,000 are available to Jewish adults wishing to adopt internationally or domestically.  The payment schedule for up to $5,000 is three years.  The payment period for $5001 to $10,000 is over a five-year period.  http://www.hflasf.org/adopt-loans.html

Home for Good
Focuses on the adoption of older children with special needs and sibling groups who have little or no hope of being adopted without their intervention.  Offer resources, grants, loans and matching funds to encourage more families to adopt.  (541) 479-5926  I2adopt@hfgf.org

International Adoption Assistance Foundation, Inc.
6420 Tokeneak Trail, Mobile, Alabama  36695-2940  Donald L. Parker or Linda J. Bushy - Directors (334) 633-4300

Jacob Free Loan Foundation
Provides interest-free loans of up to $5000 to Jewish members of the community to assist with adoption expenses.  (413) 737-2601  www.jfslink.org/freeloan.html

JSW Adoption Foundation 
Grants of $2000 or more awarded quarterly on the basis of need.  Preference given to childless couples with an income under $35,000.  One grant awarded quarterly.  Average grant amount is $3000, but can go as high as $5000. (414) 268-1386 for application

Love Knows No Borders
Founded to assist with the costs of domestic and international adoption.  To apply, send self-address envelope with two stamps - c/o Vanessa Donaher, 76 Grist Mill Rd, Monroe, CT 06468

National Adoption Foundation
Offers an Adoption Assistance Loan designed to help adoptive families take care of the finances needed to adopt and raise a child. This includes adoption costs, legal fees, medical services, travel expenses, education costs, home improvements or the everyday cost of raising a family. Grants are only available to families for the actual cost of the adoption.  www.fundyouradoption.org

Nikita Fund - Downs Syndrome Adoption Grants 
Adoption grants of $500 for homes adopting children born with Downs Syndrome.  Prospective parent(s) should send a written request along with a photo of the child and verification of the pending adoption from the adoption agency.  Include also a receipt showing money spent toward the adoption.  marsilio@ptdprolog.net

North American Council on Adoptable Children
The Adoption Subsidy Resource Center provides general information on how each state operates their subsidy program. Families who are adopting children from the foster care system in the United States and Canada should speak with the child’s caseworker or the adoption worker assigned to the case about an adoption subsidy. (800) 470-6665 www.nacac.org

Open Arms Children’s Charities
Awards grants to adoptive families on a quarterly basis:  March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year.  Grants are open to all adoptive parents with an approved home study.  The amount of the award depends upon the number of applications received, as well as donations and fundraisers.  There is a $10 application fee.  (636) 922-7110  www.open-arms.org

Shaohannah’s Hope
Financial grants to qualified families already in the process of domestic and international adoption.  www.shaohannahshope.org

United Way International
Provides assistance for covering the costs of travel for adopted children with illness requiring immediate medical attention.  Applications are selectively considered and must be supported by a Doctor’s statement. (703) 519-0092

Wings of Angels
Wings of Angels is a volunteer group whose volunteers will accompany a passenger on a plane trip.  In some countries you do not have to personally travel to meet your child, so some of the volunteers can pick up your child and escort him or her to your home, free of charge. The only ticket you have to buy if you use this service is your child’s.  http://www.wingsforangels.org