Adoption Assistance Grant Program

Address: 1200 Shermer Rd Suite 111, Northbrook, IL 60062

Program Overview

Gift of Adoption is the largest provider of adoption assistance grants without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or any characteristic protected by law.

Grants are awarded to remove financial barriers and make possible adoptions of children in vulnerable circumstances in the U.S. and around the world. Grants range from $1,000 to $7,500 with an average award of $3,500, though grants of up to $15,000 are available to qualified applicants.

Gift of Adoption does NOT fully fund adoptions but provides the last bit of help needed to bring a child home.

Geographic Scope

• Available to U.S. citizens only
• Supports domestic and international adoptions
• Relative/kinship adoptions in the U.S. and abroad

Types of Adoptions Funded

• Domestic adoptions (including foster care adoptions)
• International adoptions
• Relative/kinship adoptions
• Fictive kin adoptions

Domestic Adoptions

• Help keep children in or at risk of entering foster care from entering the system
• Help with relative and kinship adoptions
• Unite biological siblings or prevent separation
• Prevent siblings from being separated

International Adoptions

• Unite or preserve biological siblings
• Prevent a child from 'aging-out' of the orphanage system
• Prevent special needs children from becoming institutionalized
• Facilitate placement of a child with life-threatening medical condition who won't receive proper care until adopted
• Support relative, kinship, or fictive kin adoptions

Eligibility Requirements

• U.S. citizen with an approved and current home study from a licensed and accredited adoption agency or social worker
• Must demonstrate financial need and personal commitment to funding the adoption
• Must have a match or referral accepted (adoption expected within 6 months)
• If adopting internationally, must work with a COA (Council on Accreditation) accredited agency
• If adopting domestically, must work with a COA accredited agency or adoption attorney
• Home study required EXCEPT: relative/kinship adoptions OR domestic adoptions of specific child over age one (typically former foster child or subsequent adoption)
• The number of biological or adopted children in home does NOT impact eligibility
• Adoption grants awarded regardless of religion, race, age, marital status, or sexual orientation

Note: If state laws prevent home study release (e.g., Colorado), applicant must provide signed statement from agency confirming approved home study and approval to adopt matched child.

What Gift of Adoption Does NOT Fund

• Embryo adoptions
• Medical expenses
• Home improvements
• Full adoptions (only partial/supplemental funding)
• Reimbursements for expenses already paid
• Applications where adoption has already been finalized
• Applications from those just starting the adoption process without completed home study
• International adoptions using facilitators only (must use accredited agency)

Application Eligibility - Do NOT Apply If:

• Your adoption is fully funded
• Your adoption has been finalized
• You are just starting the adoption process and don't have a completed home study
• You are pursuing an international adoption with an international facilitator only

Selection Criteria

The Grant Selection Committee evaluates:

• Qualifications of applicant: U.S. citizen with approved home study from licensed agency (domestic) or IAAME/CEAS accredited agency (international)
• Imminence of adoption: Match/referral accepted with adoption expected within 6 months
• Financial need: Committee considers annual household income, monthly income, expenses, assets, and debts; looks for identifiable financial need and fiscal responsibility
• Perseverance: Applicants must demonstrate perseverance and success in funding adoption through own fundraising efforts, sacrifice, and use of available resources

Application Processing

• No application deadline - families apply anytime after completing home study and before finalization
• Applications reviewed monthly
• Application fee: $50 (non-refundable, one-time fee entitles applicant to submit case for review up to three times)
• Fee payable via credit card (online) or check/money order (mail)

Review Process

• Applications reviewed by Grant Selection Committee (one elected representative from each regional chapter)
• Committee may: approve grant, decline grant, or recommend local chapter approve grant
• Decision notification via email within 48 hours of committee meeting
• If approved by national committee, may advance to regional chapter for final funding decision
• Applicant notified of regional chapter decision within two weeks of national committee meeting
• If declined, applicant may resubmit (up to 3 times total) if adoption not finalized and balance remains

Non-Discrimination Policy

Awards made without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or any characteristic protected by law.

Privacy

Information in applications held confidential and used only for consideration of grant application.

Step One: Request Access to Application

1. Fill out form on website at https://giftofadoption.org/apply-for-a-grant/
2. Receive access to online and downloadable Adoption Assistance Grant Application
3. Complete and sign application packet
4. Alternative for mobile device users: https://www.cognitoforms.com/GiftOfAdoption1/GrantApplicationRequest

Step Two: Submit Required Documents

Submit each of the following items to Gift of Adoption via online portal or mail to: 1200 Shermer Rd Suite 111, Northbrook, IL 60062

Required Documents:

• Completed and signed adoption assistance grant application packet
• Copy of most recent income tax return
• Recent (two months) check stubs for all reported income earners
  • If self-employed: last two months of business/personal bank account statements showing proof of income
• Copy of approved and current home study
  • Alternative if state laws prevent release (e.g., Colorado): Signed statement from agency confirming successful home study on file and approval to adopt matched child
• Two (2) letters of reference (most applicants use copies from home study)
• $50 application fee (payable via credit card for online applications or by check/money order for paper applications)

Note on Application Fee: $50 is a one-time, non-refundable processing fee that entitles applicant to submit case for review up to three times (qualification requirements apply for all three submissions)

Step Three: Submit Online Application

Submit completed application through online portal at: https://giftofadoption.org/apply-for-a-grant/

Application Review Timeline

Timing Considerations:

• Every effort made to present application to committee at time most favorable for applicant's situation
• Application may not be reviewed in month received
• Factors impacting review timing include:
  • Status of child referral or birth mother match
  • Estimated travel and placement timeframe
  • Extent of remaining financial need
  • Other factors not noted here

Applicant Notification:

• Will be notified via email when application will be presented to committee
• At that time, asked to provide any needed updates before review

Follow-Up and Updates

• Upon receipt, email confirmation of application packet received
• If information missing, applicant notified
• Applicant may provide application updates through online form: https://giftofadoption.org/apply/applicationupdate/
• Applicant given opportunity to update application prior to committee review

Decision Notification

• Decision provided via email within 48 hours of Grant Selection Committee meeting
• If approved and advanced to regional chapter: email notification of this decision within 48 hours, with invitation to provide additional information for chapter board
• If declined: email with detailed reason(s) for denial

Additional Information

• Questions about application requirements: email grants@giftofadoption.org
• Recommended resources for adoption process: U.S. State Department, FamiliesRising, National Council for Adoption, Adoptive Families magazine
• Visit FAQ for additional application questions: https://giftofadoption.org/ (link referenced but specific FAQ URL not provided in content)