Adoption costs in the United States typically range from $20,000 to $45,000 for domestic infant adoption. For many hopeful parents, this price tag is the biggest barrier standing between them and their dream of growing a family. The good news: you do not have to fund an adoption entirely out-of-pocket.
There are five main sources of financial assistance for adoption: grants, loans, the federal adoption tax credit, employer benefits, and crowdfunding. Each option works differently, and most families combine two or more of them to cover their total adoption costs. This guide explains each one clearly so you can decide which options are right for your situation.
At Lifetime Adoption, we give every family honest, transparent information about what adoption actually costs, before you commit to anything. Our coordinators will work with your budget and help you find an adoption opportunity that fits. We also keep our fees fixed so there are no surprise charges after you match.
We also offer the Adoption Finance Coaching Program — a one-on-one coaching service where an experienced adoption finance coach builds a personalized financial plan around your adoption, so you always know exactly where you stand and what comes next.
Table of Contents
- How Do We Get Financial Assistance for Adoption?
- Organizations Providing Adoption Loans and Grants
- Get Expert Help: Adoption Finance Coaching Program
- Crowdfunding Platforms
- Employer-Provided Adoption Assistance
- Adoption Tax Credit
How Do We Get Financial Assistance for Adoption?
Our team of experienced adoption professionals at Lifetime Adoption encourages couples to do all they can to budget for the cost of adoption. But after creating a family budget and sticking to it, where can a family find financial assistance to help with adoption fees?
Many organizations offer adoption loans and grants that families can apply toward adoption expenses. Adoption loans must be paid back, sometimes with little to no interest. A non-profit organization typically awards grants; you do not need to pay them back. Most grants require that you are currently working with an adoption agency and have completed an adoption home study. Both loans and grants may require follow-up photos or a summary of your adoption journey.
Some organizations will prioritize grants and loans for hopeful adoptive parents who seek to adopt older children, children with special needs, or sibling groups. Whatever your adoption preferences, an adoption loan or grant could be the financial assistance for adoption you need to ease your financial stress. Spend time researching all of your options.
Organizations Providing Adoption Loans and Grants
ABBA Fund – ABBA Fund offers adoption assistance for Christian families. They provide interest-free loans as well as their Christian Family Adoption Grant. Instead of a traditional legal agreement, ABBA uses a covenant loan agreement. When you receive financial assistance from ABBA, you commit to honoring your covenant with God.
America’s Christian Credit Union (ACCU) – ACCU offers two products: an Adoption Loan (fixed-rate, up to $50,000, terms up to 84 months, rates starting at 7.99% APR) and an Adoption Line of Credit (unsecured, 9.49%–16.49% APR, with a 24-month draw period that aligns with the average adoption timeline). Both products can be used for domestic or international adoption and cover agency fees, attorney fees, court costs, home study fees, and travel expenses. ACCU also offers a personalized loan consultation process and will pray with families throughout their adoption journey.
Lifesong for Orphans – Lifesong for Orphans offers creative fundraising tools, matching grants, and interest-free loans for qualified families. They base the level of financial assistance on the financial needs of the adoptive family, the child’s needs, the availability of funds, and support from the adoptive family’s church.
Gift of Adoption – Gift of Adoption is the largest provider of adoption assistance grants in the U.S., awarding grants of up to $15,000 for domestic, international, and relative/kinship adoptions with no regard to race, religion, or marital status. There is no application deadline; families can apply anytime after completing a home study, and a match or referral must typically be accepted before the grant committee reviews an application.
LightStream (by Truist) – LightStream offers unsecured adoption loans from $5,000 to $100,000 with fixed rates, no fees, and no prepayment penalties, making it one of the most flexible loan options available to adoptive families. Borrowers with strong credit can take advantage of the Rate Beat Program, where LightStream will offer a rate lower than any competing lender’s unsecured loan offer.
National Adoption Foundation – The National Adoption Foundation has been helping families adopt since 1994, offering grants of $500 to $2,000 for any legal adoption with no income requirement and no exclusions based on race, age, or family type. The only eligibility requirement is a completed or in-progress home study, and the board reviews applications four times per year.
Helpusadopt.org – Helpusadopt.org is a national 501(c)(3) grant program that awards grants of up to $30,000 to help individuals and couples cover the cost of adoption, regardless of race, religion, gender, marital status, or sexual orientation. Grants are paid directly to a licensed adoption agency or attorney, and applicants must demonstrate financial need. Applications are accepted through an online portal with grant cycles and deadlines posted on their site.
Get Expert Help: Adoption Finance Coaching Program
Knowing all your options is a great start — but figuring out which combination of grants, loans, tax credits, and employer benefits works for your specific situation is a different challenge. That’s exactly what Lifetime Adoption’s Adoption Finance Coaching Program is designed to solve.
Our experienced adoption finance coaches work one-on-one with Lifetime families to build a comprehensive financial plan that is matched to your specific adoption plan — your budget, your timeline, and your goals. Finances should never be what stands between a child and a loving family, and this program exists to make sure they aren’t.
The program is available exclusively to Lifetime Adoption families.
Crowdfunding Platforms
Social media and crowdfunding platforms have opened up fundraising opportunities like never before. You are no longer limited to neighborhood yard sales and bake sales to earn financial assistance for adoption. You can now bring your adoption fundraising efforts to a more global community. These crowdfunding platforms can help you connect with a wider audience and raise considerable funds quickly and efficiently.
AdoptTogether – Create your profile on the world’s largest fundraising platform and connect with people in your community and beyond to help fund your adoption.
AdoptionBridge – This ministry of Every Child Has a Name can help you bridge gaps in financing your adoption through crowdfunding, generous donors, and partner agencies.
GoFundMe – Create your site, share your story, and collect your funds on this easy-to-use platform.
Employer-Provided Adoption Assistance
Ask your employer if they offer benefits for employees who are hoping to adopt to grow their family. Many employers offer a range of financial assistance benefits for adoption.
Eligible reimbursements typically include agency fees, legal fees, home study costs, court fees, and travel expenses. The average employer adoption benefit is $5,000–$10,000 per adoption. Some employers also provide paid parental leave for new adoptive parents on the same terms as they do for employees who become parents biologically. Ask your HR department directly, or review your employee benefits handbook under “adoption assistance” or “family formation benefits.”
Adoption Tax Credit
The adoption tax credit is another benefit that can make your adoption more affordable. This credit is available for both domestic and foreign adoptions. You can apply the adoption tax credit to adoption fees, court costs, attorney fees, traveling expenses, and other expenses directly related to the adoption.
The maximum amount is up to $17,280 per child for adoptions finalized in 2025. Plus, a new provision allows for partial refundability. Families who finalized their adoption in 2025 may receive up to $5,000 as a refundable credit, even if they do not owe that amount in taxes. This amount is adjusted for inflation each year — check IRS Topic No. 607 for the current figure. Families who adopt a child with special needs qualify for the maximum credit regardless of their actual expenses. The credit also applies to employer-provided adoption assistance, which can be excluded from your taxable income up to the same annual limit.
Your tax benefit also includes income exclusion for employer-provided adoption assistance.
Any of these financial assistance options could significantly offset the expenses incurred during your adoption process. Financial assistance for adoption is right at your fingertips. With a little research and creativity, you can overcome any financial hurdles that stand in the way of your adoption.
Hidden Funding Resources
Beyond the well-known options, several lesser-known funding sources can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket costs:
- Military adoption benefits: Active-duty service members may qualify for up to $2,000 per child in reimbursements through the Department of Defense Adoption Reimbursement Program.
- State subsidies: Families adopting children from the foster care system may qualify for monthly adoption assistance payments and Medicaid coverage through their state.
- Home equity or personal loans: Some families use low-interest home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) to cover upfront costs, then apply the tax credit and employer reimbursement to pay them down.
- FSA/HSA accounts: Certain medical costs related to adoption, such as your physical exams that are a part of your home study, may be eligible for FSA or HSA reimbursement.
Frequently Asked Questions: Financial Assistance for Adoption
How much does adoption cost in the United States?
Domestic infant adoption through a private agency typically costs between $20,000 and $45,000. Foster care adoption can cost as little as $0 to $2,500, with most states covering the majority of fees. International adoption costs range from $25,000 to $50,000, depending on the country and agency.
What is the adoption tax credit for 2025?
The federal adoption tax credit for adoptions finalized in 2025 is up to $17,280 per child (adjusted annually for inflation). It can be applied to qualified adoption expenses including agency fees, attorney fees, court costs, and travel.
Families adopting a child with special needs qualify for the full amount regardless of actual out-of-pocket expenses. Visit IRS Topic No. 607 for more information.
Are there grants to help pay for adoption?
Yes. Dozens of nonprofit organizations offer adoption grants that do not need to be repaid. Examples include the ABBA Fund and Lifesong for Orphans. Most grants require you to be working with a licensed adoption agency and have a completed home study.
Does my employer have to offer adoption assistance?
No federal law requires employers to provide adoption assistance. However, many large employers offer it voluntarily as part of their benefits package. The average benefit ranges from $5,000 to $10,000 per adoption. Check your employee handbook or ask HR. If your employer offers it, the benefit can be excluded from your taxable income up to the federal annual limit.
What is the fastest way to get financial help for adoption?
The fastest options are employer reimbursement (if your company offers it), a personal or home equity loan, and crowdfunding platforms like AdoptTogether or GoFundMe. Grants typically take four to 12 weeks to process. The federal adoption tax credit is claimed when you file your taxes after the adoption is finalized.
Can I use crowdfunding to pay for adoption?
Yes. Crowdfunding is a widely accepted and effective way to raise adoption funds. Platforms like AdoptTogether (the world’s largest adoption fundraising platform), AdoptionBridge, and GoFundMe allow you to share your story and collect donations from friends, family, and the broader community.
Do I need to have a home study completed before applying for adoption grants?
Most adoption grant programs require a completed home study before they will award funds. Some programs will accept families who are in the process of completing their home study. Check each organization’s specific requirements before applying.
Is adoption financial assistance available for international adoption?
Yes. The federal adoption tax credit applies to both domestic and international adoptions. Some employer adoption benefits and private grants also cover international adoption. However, many faith-based or U.S.-specific grants are limited to domestic adoption only. Confirm eligibility with each program.
Will Lifetime Adoption help us create a financial plan for adoption?
Yes. Lifetime Adoption offers an Adoption Finance Coaching Program exclusively for families working with Lifetime. Experienced adoption finance coaches work one-on-one with each family to create a comprehensive financial plan that is matched to their specific adoption plan, budget, and timeline. The goal is to ensure that finances are never a barrier to adoption. To access the program, complete Lifetime’s free application or call 727-493-0933.
Lifetime Adoption
Our adoption professionals are committed to your best interests during the adoption process. We’re monitoring your adoption budget — from initial budget planning to avoiding surprise expenses.
To help you with adoption fees, our coordinators can find an adoption opportunity that is within the budget you set. In addition, I have fixed Lifetime’s fees, and we won’t spring new costs on you once you match.
Get started with your adoption today by filling out our online contact form to get more free information now. We’d love to help you begin this process!
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on June 10, 2020, and has since been updated.
Founder of Lifetime Adoption, adoptive mom, adoption expert, and Certified Open Adoption Practitioner (C.O.A.P).
Since 1986, adoption expert Mardie Caldwell has been dedicated to bringing couples and birth parents together in order to fulfill their dreams.
“Many years ago, I was also searching for a child to adopt. We didn’t know where or how to get started. Through research, determination, and a prayer, our dream of a family became reality. I started with a plan, a notebook, assistance from a caring adoption consultant and a lot of hard work; this was my family I was building. We had a few heartaches along the way, but the pain of not having children was worse!
Within weeks we had three different birth mothers choose us. We were overwhelmed and delighted. Many unsettling events would take place before our adoption would be finalized, many months later. Little did I know that God was training and aligning me for the adoption work I now do today. It is my goal to share with our families the methods and plans which succeed and do not succeed. I believe adoption should be affordable and can be a wonderful “pregnancy” for the adoptive couple.
I have also been on both sides of infertility with the loss of seven pregnancies and then conceiving by new technology, giving birth to a healthy daughter. I have experienced first-hand the emotional pain of infertility and believe my experience allows me to serve your needs better.
It is my hope that for you, the prospective parents, your desire for a child will be fulfilled soon.”
0 Comments