Have you been perplexed over how you’ll afford to adopt? Lifetime asked our successful adoptive families for their advice on funding adoption on our Facebook page: “What tips, resources, or ideas worked for you to help finance your adoption fees? We know times change pretty quickly these days and it’s helpful to stay on top of what’s helping adoptive parents reach their adoption dream. What would you tell another adoptive parent who was concerned about covering the costs involved in adoption?” Here’s what adoptive families had to share about how they funded their adoption:
“We did a GoFundMe, a t shirt sale, a yard sale, and a support letter. We also received an adoption grant! We are about to apply to more grants as well. Total, we have raised about $13,000!”
“We did a puzzle piece fundraiser! We bought a 1000 piece puzzle and sold pieces for $10 each. We wrote the name of the person who bought the piece on the back and it looks so neat! I also sell Rodan+Fields on top of my full time job and it really supplemented our adoption funds!”
“We used youcaring.com and launched a few videos explaining why we chose adoption and about our choosing of Lifetime. We also had a very generous matching donor in honor of Father’s Day. Many people shared our post and we reached our goal in two months!”
“Visit helpusadopt.org as a potential solution…”
“We did a pancake breakfast and silent auction (people from the community donated items), a go-fund me page, and I opened an etsy store and made stamped jewelry. People are very generous!”
“If both spouses are currently working, evaluate whether or not your family can realistically live on one spouse’s paycheck for a few months. If so, direct the other spouse’s paycheck into an “Adoption Only!” savings account. Also – find out if your church offers grants to adoptive families. Many churches are developing adoption/foster care ministries and see the value of supporting church family members in this tangible way.”
“I’m a teacher and our staff got together and donated items and we had a HUGE two-day garage sale. We made over $5,000! Our subdivision also donated a pistol and we are currently selling raffle tickets to win the gun. All proceeds go to us as well. So far we are around $4,000 for the raffle. All the money is going toward our adoption and is in a separate savings account! Pray for it more than anything because without God, we wouldn’t have had the success we have had. More proof that we are carrying out His plan!”
“Our biggest fundraiser was a yard sale. A lot of people that weren’t able to just give us money were able to give items for the yard sale.”
“We had great success with our adoption garage sale and additionally had great outreach as at our sale we handed out networking cards. Our church family, co-workers, and friends donated items. We also sent out “announcement” cards by mail (similar to Christmas cards) asking not just for money but prayerful support too. This was a great time to also publicize Lifetime’s contact information and our story should they know someone who knows someone that may need an adoption center. Cutting back on little things by cutting my husband’s hair, eating in, and setting and maintaining a budget have helped us make strides towards success. Also having a separate savings account (out of sight) where a portion of our paycheck is automatically transferred helps to save money quickly without even realizing it. As with anything, you get results based on how much effort you put into is so if you are passionate, disciplined and determined God provides…whether through friends, family, or tools like budgeting and becoming intentional about your dream of growing your family.”
Lifetime Adoption hopes that you can follow some of these wonderful adoption fundraising ideas and funding tips to bring you closer to your dream of adopting a baby!
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.”
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