International Adoption Grants and Loans

Last Updated:  February 26, 2105.  Currently active grants are in green.  Outdated grants are in red.  

There are TONS of adoption grants out there. Go ahead, type it into Google and see what you come up with. The list can be overwhelming and, a lot of times, out-dated. This list will not be comprehensive by any means but I will try my best to have the most updated information.

I literally spent hours googling and came up with about 20 grants to apply for. Some I've heard from. Most I have not. But, in the end, I think the applications were definitely worth my time. They can be overwhelming at first but they all ask for similar information in slightly different formats.

General Tips:
1. Most of the grants require a completed home study before you can apply. Others require I800A or I600A Approval. A few require an official referral. Go ahead and fill out the applications and gather them ahead of time. That way, you can mail them in as soon as you have the approvals you need.

2. A lot of grants are reviewed quarterly. You may think that your adoption will be completed by the time the review date roles around. Apply anyway. You never know how long an international adoption will take.

3. Google. Try using the type of adoption--international or domestic. Try using your child's country or disability. Try using your religious affiliation. Try your geographic area. Don't give up! There are lots of grants out there if you can find them.

4.  Ask your agency what grants they recommend.  They may have agency-specific grants that you qualify for.

5.  Don't be discouraged by the grants you don't qualify for.  There will be lots (especially if you are single).  Focus on the ones you do.


Grants Applied for:

1. Affording Adoption.
UPDATE:  September 2014:  Affording Adoption is no longer giving out grants because of a lack of funds.
*Reviewed quarterly.
*Must have a referral.
*Most grants are $1,000.
I got an email thanking me for sending my application.
*Received a grant.

2. Beautiful Feet Global Outreach
UPDATE:  February 2015:  The grant fund is temporarily out of funds and applications are not being accepted.
*Must have USCIS approval.
*Big supporters of Reece's Rainbow.
*I heard from them but was already fully funded.  

3. Boatner Family Foundation - This organization is listed on almost every grant list. You are told to send a letter asking for an application. My letter came back to me.

4. CARE - Christian Adoption Resources and Encouragement, Inc.
UPDATE:  February 2015:  CARE is not currently accepting applications.  They are waiting to have their non profit status reinstated.
*Applications are accepted from May 1 to October 1. Funds are dispersed the first week in November.
*I had to email to get the application. The one online had a fee involved.
*You must have an adoption agency to apply for this grant.
*Received notification of receipt of application.
*Was offered a grant but was already fully funded.  

5. Child of the King
UPDATE:  February 2015:  Their link is no longer active.
*I received my application in the mail marked "return to sender" more than 2 months after I applied.

6. A Child Waits Foundation
*Starts with a short pre-application.
*I was denied based on my pre-application.

7. Gift of Adoption
*You can apply when you have an approved home study.
*Requires an official referral before decision is made. Monthly emails and updates are required until you have an official match.
*Received a grant.
*I heard from another family that they were denied because they didn't have 50% of the funds they needed before applying.  

8. Golden Dawn Adoption Assistance
*For LDS and other Christian families. Requires a letter from your minister.
*For families adopting children with special needs and other hard to place children.
*Applications reviewed quarterly.
*Was offered a grant but had already returned home from the adoption trip.  

9. International Adoption Resources
UPDATE:  September 2013 - The link to the application is no longer valid.
*I have not heard anything regarding my application.

10. Kids for Kyla
*Usually reviewed annually.
*Also give grants for fertility treatments.
*Priority given to applicants who do not have children.
*Must have a completed home study.
*I received an email that I am a finalist.  

11. National Adoption Foundation
*Reviewed quarterly.
*Need to have a homestudy in progress.
*I have not heard anything about my application.  Others have not gotten responses either.  

12. The OATH Ministry - Orphans Awaiting Their Homes
UPDATE:   February 2015:  They are not currently accepting applications.
*Must have a completed home study.
*I received a small grant.  

13. ONELess Ministries
*Requires a pastor questionnaire.
*I received an email asking for a status update.
*I informed them that I am fully funded and to please take my name out of the running.

14. Open Hearts for Orphans
UPDATE:  February 2015:  Open Hearts for Orphans has been folded into Bethany Christian Services and is no longer giving grants.
*Christian Families
*Chicago area only
*Received emails promptly.
*I received a grant from this organization after an interview.

15. Room for One More
UPDATE:  February 2015:  None of the links on this page currently work.
*Received an email confirming receipt of the application.

16. Saving Children, Building Families
*You must have a completed home study.
*I haven't heard anything regarding my application.

17. Show Hope
*A very long application but well worth it.
*Reviewed 6 times a year.
*Must have a completed home study.
*For Christian families
*SH is now working with the Tim Tebow Foundation to give one grant a month specifically to families adopting children with special needs.
*Received an email confirming receipt of the application.
*Received a grant.
*I heard from a family that was denied.  They said it was still worth it to apply because they got a large list of resources and ideas from SH.  


Other Grants: (Because I am a single woman, I found a lot of grants that I don't qualify for.)

1,  America's Christian Credit Union
*Must be a member of the ACCU.

2.  Both Hands
*Partners with Lifesong for Orphans but can be applied for separately.
* Families set up teams and get pledges to work on a widow's home.  The pledges go to the adopting family.
*Must have completed home study.
*Singles may apply.

3.  Brittany's Hope
*Must use an affiliated adoption agency.
*Must be a special needs, international adoption.
*The family must raise half of their grant amount.

4.  A Brother's Love
UPDATE:  February 2015 - The link is no longer valid.
*Must have a completed homestudy and a referral.
*Hague countries only.
*Singles may apply.
*Letter of reference from pastor is needed.

5. Caroline's Promise
UPDATE:  February 2015 - The link is no longer valid.
*Christian couples
*North and South Carolina only

6.  Elijah's Truth
*Qualified Christian adoptive families
*Approved by a licensed agency
*Adopting a minority infant or have a referral from another country
*Only in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota
*Must have completed home study

7. Families Outreach
*Christian, married couples with the endorsement of their pastor.
*Must have a completed home study.
*I have heard of a couple of families that received grants from them.

8.  God's Grace Adoption Ministry
*Matching grants.
*Married, Christian couples only.
*Income of $60,000 or less.

9. GRACE fund
UPDATE:  February 2015 - The link is no longer active.  
*Only for families adoption from Ethiopia.

10. Grace Haven Ministries
UPDATE:  February 2015 - The link to the application is no longer active. 
*Christian couples only.
*Must have approved home study.

11. Hand in Hand
*Christian couples only.
*Matching grants only.
*Requires you to send out support letters to friends and family.

12.  Heart of the Bride
*Must have a current homestudy.
*Must have an adoption agency.

13. Help Us Adopt
*Must have a completed home study.
*Grants are given twice a year--in June and December.

14. IBSEN Adoption Foundation
*Washington State Families only

15.  Jeremiah 29:11 Project
*Currently fundraising for future grant cycles.
*I have heard of a family that received a grant from them.

16. JSC Foundation
*Only offers grants to married couples. (Since I attempted to apply, they have made this clear on their website.)
*Strict guidelines regarding family size and previous adoptions.
*I have heard from several people who have received grants.  

17.  Kael Man
*You must have a completed home study.
*You must be using an agency.
*Requires a statement of faith.

18.  Katelyn's Fund
*Christian couples only.
*Must have an agency.
*Focus on families making under $100,000.
*Process involves an interview. 
*Another family I know got a "no" from this agency.

19.  Kyle Reagan Foundation 
*Indiana Residents
*Must be using an agency.
*Must have dossier in country.
*Requires a letter from a pastor or church leader.

20.  Lifesong for Orphans
*Matching grants only.
*2 parent Christian Families only.
*Must have a completed home study.
*Requires a letter from your pastor.

21.  Lost Stork Foundation
UPDATE:  February 2015:  The link is no longer active.  

*Heterosexual married couples.
*In July 2013, the website says the grant applications will open in Spring 2013.
*Must show financial need.

22. Love Has Come
*Must have completed home study and a referral.
*Must have a licensed agency.
*Priority given to Montana families but others may apply.  

23.  Lydia Fund
*Christian couples only.
*International adoptions only.
*Must have an agency.
*Homestudy and USCIS in process.
*Apply at least 3 months before travel.
*Another family I know got a "no" from this agency.

24.  The Orphan Foundation
*Must have a completed home study.
*10 grants of $500 given each year.
*The child must be in an orphanage or institutional foster care.
*Another family I know got no response from their application.

25.  Orphan Impact 
*UPDATE: February 2015:  The link is no longer active.  

26.  Parenthood for Me
*As of February 2015, the 2015 grant cycle had been postponed.  
*Grants for adoption and fertility treatments.  
*Approved home study.
*Available to private or agency adoptions.
*Must demonstrate financial need.

27. Perpetual Change

*UPDATE:  February 2015:  Their website is currently under construction. I'm not sure if they are currently offering grants or not. I could not find an application on their website.

28. Sacred Selections
*Must have completed home study.
*Couples only.
*Do not need to have an adoption agency.
*Must be "members of a conservative, noninstitutional, noninstrumental, church of Christ."

29. Sea of Faces Foundation
UPDATE:  February 2015:  They are no longer giving adoption grants.  
*Christian, married couples only
*Must have a referral from a developing country


Other Fund Raising Organizations:

1.  Abba Fund
*Christian Families only
*Can be used for home study costs.  

2. Adopt Together
*Allows you to post a family profile and receive tax-deductible donations.
*I had a profile with them and raised $49.
*Another family mentioned that they were given a small grant in addition to the money they received in donations.

3.  Connected Hearts Ministry
UPDATE:  February 2015 - The links to their family sponsorship program do not work.  
*Allows families to post profiles and receive tax-deductible donations.
*Completed home study and matched with a child.
*Older or Special Needs Children only.
*Must have an accredited agency.

4.  Reece's Rainbow

*Allows you to post a profile and receive tax-deductible donations. 

*Child must have special needs.

*Funds released at travel.

Adoption Loans:
1.  Abba Fund
*Interest Free Loans
*Process takes 6 to 8 weeks.  
*Christian Familys only

2.  A Child Waits Foundation
*Must have a licensed agency.
*Covers only final payments when all other avenues have been exhausted.
*Low interest loan.
*$10,000 limit.

3.  America's Christian Credit Union
*Up to $50,000
*Also an Equity Loan Option
*Adotion Visa is also an option
*

4.  Hebrew Free Loan
*For the Jewish Community
*Up to $15,000

5.  National Adoption Foundation
*Up to $35,000.

6.  Oxford Adoption Foundation 
*$5,000 per child
*Only after adoption has been granted by the foreign country
*0% interest for the first 3 years

7.  Pathways for Little Feet
*Interest free loans
*Up to $7,500
*Monthly payment amount set by the family.  

I know that there are many, many more grant and loan organizations out there. If you've had experience with another one, please let me know. I'd like to keep this list as updated as possible.  

2012 - A Year of Waiting and Anticipation

If you know me at all, you know what 2012 was all about for me.  It was a year of lots of big decisions, lots of waiting, lots of stress and lots of excitement.  2013 is sure to be the craziest year of my life so far!  Here are some highlights of 2012 (both adoption and non-adoption related):

January
Adoption:  

I started this entire process.  I looked into different programs, contacted Reece's Rainbow, the adoption agency and the home study agency.  I sought advice from family and friends.  I received a packet containing this beautiful picture.
I started filling out reams and reams of paperwork.  This would continue for the entire year.

Non-Adoption:
Ummm...something must have happened......

February
Adoption:  
I had an intake meeting with the social worker for my home study.  
My homestudy was officially started.  
Sara and I were officially matched on RR.

Non-Adoption:
I spent a weekend in Indy with Anna and with some dear friends from Maine.  It was fun to reconnect with Lisa and her family.

March
Adoption:  
I had my home visit with the social worker.
I did my 10 hours of training required by Hague.

Non-Adoption:
I spent my spring break with my family in NY.  These are the kinds of things I do with my family:

April
Adoption:  
My amazing work friends through me a toddler shower.

Non-Adoption:
My family welcomed another little girl.  Kinsley Morgan Keller was born to my brother and sister-in-law on April 20th.

May
Adoption:  
My home study was FINALLY finished.
My i-800A was submitted to USCIS.

Non-Adoption:
I spent my last "I'm not a Mom" Mother's day.
I got to meet my first RR baby--Henry.

June
Adoption:  
The women in my small group put together a huge yard sale for Sara.  Despite the yucky weather, it was a HUGE success.
My mother threw me a shower with some friends and family in NY.  My sister made the trip and I got to meet my new niece.  I also got to meet Angie and Jason.  (We have walked through this process together.  I can't wait to get our girls together.) 

Non-Adoption:
Anna and I went on one last girls' vacation to Cozumel, Mexico.  Thanks to LivingSocial, we got a great deal.  It involved sitting in the pool and doing little else (except dodging some of the staff) for 6 days.  Amazing.

July
Adoption:  
My I-800A application was approved by USCIS.  This let me start filling out grant applications and submit my dossier.

Non-Adoption:
I dog sat for a week.  The dog survived and so did I!
I spent a weekend in Holland, MI with my dear friend Becky.

August
Adoption:  
I received word that I had been given a large grant by Show Hope.  What a blessing!
Sara celebrated her 4th birthday---the last one she will know without a family.
My dossier was submitted.

Non-Adoption:
I spent a weekend in Indy with Anna.  It involved lots of trips to Joanns and Redbox.  I have to appreciate a friend that loves low-key weekends as much as I do.
I also spent a chunk of time in NY with my parents.  My mom and I even went "camping."  We stayed in the air-conditioned RV and watched lots of ER and knit.  We did it in the state park so it's considered camping, right?

September
Adoption:  
Sara's orphanage approved my request to adopt her.

Non-Adoption:
I started my 13th year of teaching.  I'm really not sure how that happened.  I swear I'm not that old!

October
Adoption:  
I got Sara's official referral in October.  Before that, I had a few pages and a couple of little pictures.  Her referral allowed me to find out tons more about her and fall even farther in love with her.  It also allowed me to accept her referral and tell my country and hers that I wanted to be her mom.  It also meant I got a new picture.

I was issued my approval by USCIS.  A huge step in the process!

Non-Adoption:
I spent three days in Minnesota at a conference for work.  I got to experience the Mall of America and add another state to my list.  I think we decided I'm at 40.


November
Adoption:  

Not much really happened on the adoption front.  I found out that Sara wouldn't be home in time for Christmas and that I would have to wait until January to travel.  The rest of the month was spent waiting and waiting and waiting.
I got to hang out with Angie.  We had our own little "our girls won't be home for Christmas pity party."  We also went and met Selah and Yvonne.  I had been following their story since August and had seen Selah in the hospital days after their accident.  It was nice to finally meet them!
Non-Adoption:
I flew to NY for Thanksgiving.  My sister didn't make it home but the rest of the family got some time together.  I got to spend a little time with my aunt and 4 cousins.  I'm not sure the last time we all were together.

December  
Adoption:  
Sara's Article 5 was issued.  This is the promise from the US Embassy that they will issue her a visa to come to the US.  This means that I finally got a travel date.  I booked tickets, got a visa, booked the hotel.  Traveling planning was in full swing.

I also got to Skype with Sara.  It was absolutely priceless.  I didn't really say much.  I just sat and watched her.  She's convinced my dad is Santa Claus and kept asking where the dog was.  Poor child may be very disappointed when she finally gets home!

Non-Adoption:
I got to spend the day waiting for this little princess to arrive into the world.  Her mom and I have worked together forever and it was such a privilege to spend a day in the hospital awaiting her arrival.

I drove to NY for Christmas.  Every time I drive, I vow I'll never do it again.  But, I needed to bring back a lot of pork from an adoption fundraiser so I drove.  I managed to miss most of the snow on the trip but there was definitely plenty at my parents' house.

Our Christmases tend to be very low key affairs, which is really how must of us prefer it!  We spent some time with my nieces---something I just don't get to do enough of.  It was fun to think about what Christmas will look like next year with another little girl running around!

(I also got an iPhone.  Not sure if this is blog-worthy or not but I love it!)  

Lessons Learned:
*I have some of the most amazing, generous, giving, supportive friends and family in the world.
*Sometimes, if you have the guts to speak your craziest, wildest ideas out loud, you'll learn that they aren't crazy at all.
*Sometimes, it's best to not really know how hard something is going to be when you get into it.
*There are good people in the world.  People that will help complete strangers.

Weightless

I got a call today from my adoption agency. I was really hoping that I would find out that the orphanage director had approved my dossier. While I didn't get that news (it's coming soon), I did find out that I got a very generous grant from Show Hope. The grant just "happens" to be the exact amount that I needed to be "fully-funded." Coincidence? I think not.

So, what does that mean now?

In all honesty, I've been too excited to really think through the repercussions completely. I do know this--I can sleep tonight without doing math in my head trying to figure out how much I still need, where it's going to come from, how many scarves I can knit before the auction starts...you get the idea.

This grant takes all the pressure off. I have enough to pay the final agency fees. I think I have enough for a bare-bones travel experience. Anything raised from this point is just icing on the cake. Let me explain....

No one really seems to know how much it's going to cost me to travel to Sara's country. A big part of this is that no one knows how long I will have to stay. Some agencies say 4-6 weeks. Some say 5-7. Some say up to 9. (Do you get why I'm confused?) Because of this, each agency lists a different cost of travel. Mine says $4,000 to $11,000. That's a HUGE difference!

Right now, I have just over $5,000 in my FSP with Reece's Rainbow. This is what I plan to use for travel. I hope it's enough for lodging and plane tickets. (Depending on how much higher the price of gas goes....) I still plan to hold the auction in September. Any money raised from that will create a little "cushion" for unexpected expenses in country, or delays that we encounter in country, or a fun day on the town, or anything that might come up. Basically, it will keep me from doing math in my head when I should be sleeping in country--can we eat out tonight--can we stay another three days if the paperwork doesn't come tomorrow---can I afford to buy an extra sweatshirt for each of us since it's colder than I thought it would be---can we have a snack at the airport? You get the idea.

I don't want to get greedy. I don't want to take advantage of the generosity of so many amazing people who have worked and donated to get Sara home. I'm not looking for a luxurious or indulgent trip. In short, I don't want to over-fund raise. At the same time, I want to be prepared for this trip. I want my time in her country to be about bonding with my daughter and not about cutting corners and saving money.

So, will continue to have a Chip In on the blog. I will continue to take skirt and scarf orders. I will hold one more auction. But, I won't stress. I won't worry. I will rest in God's hand and know that he has and will provide all that Sara and I need.

Adoption Bug T-Shirts

I am selling some really cute t-shirts to help raise fund for Sara's adoption. There are 6 different styles of shirts. You can order them from toddler sizes to adult sizes. About $7 of each sale goes to Sara's adoption fund. (It varies by style and size.) Please consider purchasing a shirt. You'll help get Sara home and help promote adoption at the same time. ($1 of every Show Hope shirt sold goes to support their amazing organization. This is in addition to the money that I get for these sales.)

I've seen a lot of people sell these shirts in Russian and Ukrainian and I really wanted one in Spanish. So, I decided to sell them.

To purchase t-shirts, please go to this link.

To purchase t-shirts, please go to this link.