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Adoption Expenses: Creative Options for Financing Your Adoption

Many prospective adoptive parents express anxiety (and sometimes anger) regarding the fees involved in adopting a child.  We often hear "Why does adoption have to be so expensive?" or "Giving a child a loving home shouldn't cost anything!" Families are surprised to hear that most adoption agencies agree! However, adoption agencies see first-hand the expenses involved in international humanitarian visits, phone calls, legal fees, mailing, agency accreditation, insurance, program marketing, and employee education and expenses, (plus a million other costs involved with running a business!) AND on the international end, country travel expenses and running an orphanage by providing food, clothing, shelter, medicine, and care to the countless children left behind! Please think for a moment how much it would cost to provide a child with daily, round-the-clock babysitting services…in the case of international adoption a baby/child is often placed after several months or years of care--many fees incurred when compared to months of 24-hour babysitting are comparable or lower.  KAS, Inc. faces daily the reality that adoption is very expensive.  We have worked very hard and quite successfully to provide families with high-quality services while keeping our fees very low.  While adoption can most certainly be costly, there are many resources and creative fundraising ideas available to help families with adoption fees.  Adoptive families need not be wealthy, as there are many options available to help defray adoption expenses.

Federal Tax Credit

Adoptive Parent(s) may claim over $11,000 as tax credit per child for qualifying adoption expenses. This is not a tax deduction, but a DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR tax credit.  Please visit the IRS website or call 1-800-829-3676 to request the IRS publication #968.  KAS, Inc. recommends that adoptive families seek professional advice from a legal or tax professional.

State Tax Credit or Benefits

Many states have funds available for non-recurring costs incurred when adopting a child. Some states also offer a tax credit that is applied in addition to the federal tax credit - ask your tax advisor.

Employer Benefits

Roughly a quarter of the nation's employers offer some form of adoption benefits to their employees. Federal and state employees are generally allowed up to $3,000 per adoption. Ask your employer about this benefit.

Adoption Loans and Grants

Some families apply for a home equity loan or refinance their mortgage.  In addition, many banks and other lending programs offer adoption loans at very low interest rates. 

Credit Card Loans

One KAS, Inc. family found that their credit card offered a loan rate that was lower than at their local bank.  It might also be possible to borrow from a 401K or Life Insurance Policy - however, we are aware that financial stress can be harmful to family functioning and encourage you to only borrow responsibly.

Travel Idea

Many airlines offer reduced fees for adoption and it is also possible to obtain frequent flyer miles from family members and friends to make travel to your child's country of origin much less expensive.  Please visit the angelfire.com site detailed below for extensive adoption airfare savings possibilities.

Family Gifts

It might be possible to borrow or accept a financial gift from a family member - parents, grandparents, and aunts or uncles are often very eager to help their loved ones attain their dream of expanding their family through adoption!

Other Creative-Fundraising Ideas

• Have a benefit concert, dance, or party
• Host an Arts and Crafts show
• Take an extra part-time job during those months of waiting
• Organize a car wash
• Have a neighborhood or church yard sale
• Send out letters asking for financial assistance from friends and family members
• Sell baked goods
• Make a quilt for a raffle
• Ask for help through a school or church mission project
• Sell Avon/Mary Kay/Tupperware/Pampered Chef/Creative Memories/etc.
• Use your God-given talents and gifts, such as a musical ear or artistic hand

More Fund-Raising Ideas

One creative client hosted a Pampered Chef sponsored bunco party for friends and family, and was very successful in her endeavor - by charging a fee per player and inviting many friends and family who were eager to help with the adoption, this individual took in over $2,000 for one night of fun and fellowship!

Another client took her Grandmother's famous recipe for homemade bread and explained the adoption fundraising effort, and raised nearly $1,000 in Christmastime orders!

Your possibilities are only limited by your imagination - there are many fundraising avenues open to families who truly desire to adopt.  If there is a child waiting for you, please don't let finances stop you from pursuing your adoption dream!