Grants for Prospective Adoptive Parents
- Rachel Rosana
- Jan 7, 2019
- 5 min read
Updated: Jan 24, 2019
By Rachel Rosana
The adoption process can present a serious financial burden for prospective parents. It’s important to be aware of the many types of grants or loans that may be available to help with these costs and to understand the criteria for eligibility. The following blog will discuss what to look for when searching for a grant or loan that is the best fit for you. Some sources of financial aid may target specific religious groups, ethnicities, marital status of the prospective adoptive family or other family characteristics. For instance, if you identify yourself as Christian and are a family of two parents looking to adopt, perhaps God’s Grace Adoption Ministry (GGAM) is the place to search for a grant. GGAM mentions on their website that they are not an adoption agency; rather, a financial resource for Christian, two-parent prospective families. If, however, you do not identify yourself as Christian and a two-family prospective adoptive family, this source may not apply for you.
Researching grants and other affordable resources should be suitable for the individual looking to adopt and their families. There can be fees and other financial costs that will be needed by the adoptive parents. This can be a burden and stressful time for those looking to adopt domestically and/or internationally. Domestic adoption, like international/foreign adoption, will often require legal fees. International adoption may have extra costs, including providing a passport for your new child to return home with you, transportation costs to go back and forth when needed, hotel stays, etc.
Research
One of the first steps you need to take when you require extra financial assistance for adopting is to investigate what alternative methods of support may exist. Adoptive prospective parents or parent may need financial backing for the adoption fees or for the extra money to cover the other expenses that may come up during the adoption. Thus, applying for a grant or load may be useful. When researching options for grants and/or loans, it’s important to remain mindful of specific deadlines and the additional materials needed from either the agency or the prospective parents to complete your application. Always read the application multiple times. You do not want to submit an application with either missing items or more items than are required. Either can jeopardize your chance of receiving financial assistance.
Grants vs. Loans
Adoption fees can be daunting for many families. Understanding the differences between both grants and loans are part of the research that should be done by the prospective adoptive parent(s). Research can help figure out what suits your family best with adoption finances.
Grants - Grants are awards given to those who apply and meet certain criteria. Grants that are given are not to be paid back. Adoption grants, in particular, require certain information from the prospective adoptive parent(s) and sometimes from the adoption agency. Depending on what grant you are receiving the award from, many will have strict deadlines, and specific guidelines on how or who they give the money to.
Loans - When you take out a loan or apply for one, you will often be receiving money that will need to be paid back. There may be a low-interest rate, or date for the loan to be paid back, and should be researched before signing any applications. Research is a necessary step for any prospective adoptive parent.
Types of Grants
There are different grants that are currently available for those requiring financial assistance. Some are targeted for specific families while others are available for anyone looking to adopt a child domestically or internationally. The following list contains some places families may want to consider when applying for grants:
Adoption Choices - Adoption Choices are licensed by the state of Nevada and are currently located in Las Vegas and Reno. They have been assisting children, parents and adoptive parents since 2002. They are a local, private, non-profit adoption agency. Adoption Choices will begin giving grants to prospective parents that are looking to adopt in 2019. Whatever your journey may be, an expecting mother or waiting families, Adoption Choices are there to help. For more information on how to begin your journey, please visit AdoptionChoicesofNevada.com.
Gift of Adoption - Their mission is to ‘fill the void that separates child from family – through adoption assistance grants that give vulnerable children a permanent home and the chance to thrive.’ While the foundation awards different categories of grants, Gift of Adoption offer grants including, domestic and international adoptions. They have been successful in helping unite 2,713 children into forever families by awarding more than $7.86 million in adoption assistance grants. Those interested in applying for the grant must submit a complete and signed adoption assistance grant application packet, and a recent income tax return. For the full list of items needed to apply for the grant can be found here on their website.
Family Formation Trust - The Trust believes at making sure ‘no person should be denied the ability to build their families through adoption or assisted reproduction due to financial hardship and children in foster care seeking permanent placement and adults who seek to adopt them should have additional assistance available to them.’ They raise funds through corporate contributions, educational programs, charitable events, and donations, just to name a few. Those interested in applying to Family Formation Trust and/or are interested in donating to help achieve their goal in distributing funds to programs or families that are in need may visit their website here.
HelpUsAdopt - Focuses on the need to help all sorts of families, including, married couples, single parents and the LGBT families who are all looking to adopt domestically and internationally. HelpUsAdopt support all types of faiths and do not charge applicants that apply. Those who apply must include a valid home study and a copy of their tax return along with their completed application and personal statement.
State-specific Grants - Depending on where you are located, there are several states that have adoption grant funds specifically for the residents of their state. Including, North and South Carolina, Missouri, Indiana, Kansas, and New England states.
Conclusion
Prospective adoptive parents can feel the burden of the financial expenses of adopting. Those expenses should not determine an all or nothing solution to adopt or not. Grants can be chosen as a helpful solution for the prospective adoptive parent(s) when they are ready to adopt. Review and research the available grants and requirements along with your application. Doing so can help better your chances at getting one step closer to creating your forever family.
If you are currently in the process of adopting a baby and have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact, Adoption Choices of Nevada. You may visit the website here or contact us by 775-825-4673 (Reno Office) or 702-474-4673 (Las Vegas Office). Our hours are Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm PST.
Source:
“Adoption Grants.” Adoption.com, Elevati,LLC., 2019, adoption.com/wiki/Adoption_Grants.
“Adoption Grants 2018.” Grants For Adoption | Fund Your Adoption, 2018, fundyouradoption.tv/adoption-grants/.
Davenport, Dawn. “Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Adoption Grants.” Creating a Family, Creating a Family, Inc., 28 Oct. 2015, creatingafamily.org/adoption-category/everything-you-ever-wanted-to-know-about-adoption-grants/.
Galan, Jennifer. “7 Tips for Writing Winning Adoption Grant Proposals.” Adoption.com, 4 Mar. 2018, adoption.com/7-tips-for-writing-winning-adoption-grant-proposals.
Gods Grace Adoption Ministry, ggam.org/about/.
“Grants/Loans/Tax Credit for Adoption.” Grounds for Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights - Child Welfare Information Gateway, Children's Bureau, www.childwelfare.gov/topics/adoption/adoptive/expenses/grants-loans/.
Spence, Virginia. “4 Great Adoption Grants You've Never Heard About.” Adoption.com,
Elevati,LLC., 23 June 2018, adoption.com/4-adoption-grants-youve-never-heard-about.
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