Employer Assistance: Check with your employer about Employee Adoption Assistance Benefit Programs. Many employers will reimburse adoption expenses. If your employer does not have these programs, call Adoption and the Workplace at the National Adoption Center (800-862-3678) for information on how to guide you in requesting adoption assistance from your employer.

Tax Credit: You may be able to take a tax credit of up to $10,000 for qualifying expenses paid to adopt an eligible child (including a child with special needs). The adoption credit is an amount subtracted from your tax liability.

Federal and State Adoption Assistance Programs: These programs may be available in your state. Please see your state’s regulations. Also, be sure to check with your state’s Health and Family services for other state grant options.

The National Adoption Foundation: This organization awards adoption grants four times a year and has no income requirements. The grants range in amount from $500 to $2,500. This foundation also has a loan program.   It provides unsecured loans available for adoption related costs.

China Care: This organization has been a great resource for many families adopting special needs children. The staff is excellent and can get you in touch with names of people who have adopted children with similar special needs. You can download an application for financial aid from their website.

Life International (formerly The Manna Group): By providing Dollar-for-Dollar matching grants, Life International acts as a catalyst in raising funds and involves the local church to create a lifelong bond between the church family and the adopted child.

A Child Waits: This organization provides loans up to $10,000 for the adoption of one child. They are interested in assisting families who can financially support a child and repay the loan, but do not have the current funds to adopt.

Advanced Patient Financing (APFUSA): This was setup originally to finance medical bills and has subsequently branched out into financing adoptions. APFUSA (a loan processing company), will review your application and submit it to appropriate banks.

Gift of Adoption Fund: Grants are awarded in excess of $2,000.   Any adoptive family may apply, but families adopting children with special needs are given preference.   Requirements include an approved home study and financial need.

God’s Grace Adoption Ministry: A non-profit organization that helps Christian adoptive parents overcome the financial obstacles of adopting children. Assistance is available in the form of grants based on financial needs and also interest-free loans. God’s Grace Adoption Ministry, P.O. Box 4, Modesto, CA 95353 or email: info@ggam.org.

Helping Kids Cope: Helping Kids Cope helps adoptive parents with completed home studies to defray the cost of the adoption services. They are aware that there are many families that can afford all the adoption fees but if they can help with some of those fees, then the family’s finances could go towards that child’s future.

Shaohannah’s Hope: This foundation was founded by Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife Mary Beth and has been one of A Helping Hands largest contributors to families requesting grants.