The main reason many qualified families fail to actualize their dream of adopting a baby is the lack of funds. You may want to adopt a baby, but if you have financial concerns, then you may have to postpone the adoption process. This realization can be quite heartbreaking, but luckily there are many ways you can raise money for adoption costs so you can make your dream of parenthood come true.
Some of the major costs of adoption include legal costs, home study fees, adoption agency and facilitation fees, and travel costs, and birthmother expenses. Some people may dip into their savings or take out a loan to pay for the adoption costs, sometimes these expenses can be the only thing standing between you and the baby you would love to adopt. Thus, it is a good idea to get creative with finding ways to raise money. Here are a few unconventional methods you can try using in order to afford your adoption costs.
Hold an Adoption Yard Sale
One of the best ways you can raise money for adoption costs is to sell off personal items that you no longer use or need. Go through your house, attic, basement, and garage to collect items to sell. You may also ask your family, relatives, friends, and neighbors to make a donation to the sale. Once you have a large collection of items to sell, then you may hold an adoption yard sale. It may be worth connecting with your local administration, local business owners, your church, or other community leaders to ask if they will help you with or sponsor the sale. Some organizations may even be willing to offer matching donations. Maybe you don’t have a large garage or yard to accommodate a sale. Maybe you don’t have enough items to make a yard sale worthwhile. Or perhaps you’re just more tech-savvy. In that case, an online auction is a perfect alternative to an adoption yard sale. List your items on for sale or auction websites, such as Craigslist or Ebay.
Apply for Adoption Grants
Not many people are aware of this, but you may actually be able to get a grant to help cover adoption costs. A number of faith-based and community-based organizations give out grants ranging from $2,000 to about $5,000 to help with the adoption process. Contact local organizations and search online for nationwide organizations to see if they offer such grants.
Go on an “Adoption Walkathon”
You may decide to walk to raise money so you can adopt a child. Get your friends, family, church, local leaders, and even community organizations to pledge a dollar or more for every lap or mile you walk to raise money for your adoption. You may even try partnering with a local radio station or other organizations to help you with your walk and to raise awareness about adoption.
Host an Adoption Dinner Party
If you are great in the kitchen, try hosting a dinner party to help raise money for your adoption. Invite your family, friends, and neighbors and ask for donations and/or a fee for each plate. Contact local organizations and grocers to see if they’d be willing to donate any food, drinks, or party favors for your cause to keep your costs as low as possible. Some organizations may also be willing to donate gift certificates or products that you can then auction or raffle off during your dinner party.
Adoption Lines of Credit and Loans
Quite a number of prospective adoptive parents are not aware of special loans and credit lines meant to help parents with the adoption process. Many organizations and some financial institutions offer prospective adoptive parents a line of credit or an interest-free loan to help handle the adoption expenses. For example, Lifesong for Orphans offers interest-free loans to Christian families. Check with your local bank or financial institution for more information on adoption loans and lines of credit.
Whatever method you choose to raise money to cover adoption costs, it’s important to stay positive, keep trusting the process, and don’t lose faith.
