A huge question in the minds of many adoptive parents is how on earth they'll ever be able to afford the costs associated with an international adoption. I have blogged in the past about the estimated cost for our current adoption, and how we afforded the adoption costs for our other children. I also wrote about the timing of adoption-related expenses (hint: you don't have to come up with all the money at once!). I want to write now about some of the different foundations that exist to help families afford adoption.

A charitable organization that offers grants to adoptive families is The Gift of Adoption Fund. This organization provides financial assistance to moderate- and low-income families seeking to adopt. They are most likely to offer grants to families experiencing extraordinary hardship, such as those adopting a child with medical special needs. To apply you must have a complete homestudy, and grants are given in amounts up to $5,000. There is a $20 application fee.

God’s Grace Adoption Ministries is another organization that offers grants to families who are currently in the adoption process. Their focus is to two-parent, Christian families who make less than $60,000 a year. Grant amounts range from $1,000 and $4,000, and a $10 application fee is charged.

Another option is the National Adoption Foundation. This foundation allows you to earn adoption money by spending money at certain participation internet retailers. You register with a program called OneCause and earn contributions for the National Adoption Foundation – 50% of which is disbursed directly back to you as a cash grant to be used however you see fit. They provide a letter you can send to friends and family, and a list of participating businesses so that the purchases of friends and family can help add to your adoption account.

Other ways to get adoption money
Employee adoption benefits
Home equity loans
Adoption Tax Credit