3 Things to consider before looking for Adoption Grants

In the last ten years and through completion of three international adoptions, I learned a great deal about adoption financial planning and resources.  I would like to share some of what I learned with you.

Here are the three things that you must know before looking for adoption grants:

1.  Application Eligibility Criteria

Nearly all adoption grant organizations have some sort of application criteria.  What are eligibility criteria anyway?  Eligibility criterion says who is eligible to apply and who is NOT eligible to apply.  If you are single and applying to an organization that only offers grants to married couples, then you would be wasting your time.  If you are not a Christian and you are applying to an organization that only offers grant to Christians, once again you would be wasting your time. 

Some organizations have more than one set of application criteria.  For example some sources may only accept applications from Christian married couples and making less than $60,000 annually.  Another example might be a grant for families adopting special needs or a particular special need and the family lives in a particular state or area of the country.  Others may only offer a matching grant format.

It is very important to know ahead of time what the application criteria are so that you make the best use of your time and resources. 

2.  Home study

Almost every granting organization requires that adoptive families have a completed home study.  There are only one or two sources that I am aware of, where families can apply at any stage in the process.  The vast majority require this critical piece of documentation.  In most cases you will be asked to send a copy of your home study along with your adoption grant application.

3.  Documentation

Most adoption grant organizations require list of documents or documentation to accompany a family’s application.  You will need to be prepared to present a working family budget or monthly cash flow, summary of your net worth, listing of adoption expenses (including what has been paid and what still needs to be paid), other financial documents such as pay stubs or letters from employers verifying your income, tax returns for the last few years, and motivation to adopt. 

If you plan to apply to any Christian based organizations, you will need to supply some additional information about your beliefs, theology and faith.  Christian organizations sometimes require letters of reference from your pastor, small group leader and others from your community who can vouch for your Christian character.

 

There may be more documents but you get the general idea…Plan to prepare and send a lot of paperwork! 

My goal is to help save you time and frustration so you can focus on building your family.  

When you need help, please check out Resources4adoption.com or follow these links for additional resources:

1.  CHARTS - Most families are interested in are the Adoption Grants charts or the Grants AND Loans Charts.  These are available on the website for a nominal fee.  There are a total of 67 grants or grant names listed.  This chart also has a quick reference guide to help you locate potential sources even faster.  

You can view a FREE SAMPLE CHART HERE.  

2.  eBook - How to Find Funding-The Complete Guide to Adoption Grants and Loans.  This step-by-step guide will lead you through the process of applying for grants and gives you tons of information and pointers on exactly how and what to do with these applications.

3.  Combine and Save - Get the grants and loans charts, plus the eBook at discounted rate that will save 20% when you get them together.  You can find that info here.

I hope this information has been helpful.  For more information about adoption grants and other adoption financing options, please visit my website at www.resources4adoption.com. 

Cherri Walrod

Founder and Director of Resources4adoption.com

©November 2011 Resources4adoption.com 

What is up with all of the government grant ads???

Have you noticed all of the ads for government grants that are everywhere you look on the internet? If you do an ‘adoption grant’ internet search, tons of these ads pop up on the side bar. This really drives me crazy, because (someone please correct me if I am wrong) private individuals normally DO NOT RECEIVE GRANTS FROM THE GOVERNMENT! The only exception to this might be grants for education…like Pell grants…but the government does not give grants to private citizens for all kinds of other reasons.

I have close friends who are professional grant writers and I asked them about this several times. And the short answer is ‘NO’. The reason…most government grants are for public programs that are supposed to benefit communities or larger groups of people, not individuals.

These ads seem to say that…as a private citizen…you can get grants from the government. As far as I am concerned these ads are very misleading. Please do not waste your time OR MONEY on any of these resources. Legitimate sources exist to help organizations and grant writers find government grants, but again they are government grants for organizations…not individuals. Please be wary of companies who lead you to believe that you might somehow get an inside tract to adoption grants from the government. 

Does anyone know who to contact to report truth in advertising issues? I am not sure if these ads qualify, but I have no idea how they can use ‘ADOPTION GRANTS’ as a key word or the leading words in the ads when they are clearly promoting government grants. 

Again, if I am wrong…please someone let me know. As far as I know the only way to qualify for adoption grants is through private foundations, organizations and/or adoption agencies.

Adoption Help & Guidance: 6 Smart Ways Adoptive Families Can Invest Their Tax Refund Check

Adoption Help & Guidance: 6 Smart Ways Adoptive Families Can Invest Their Tax Refund Check

eBook-Table of Contents for The Complete Guide to Adoption Grants and Adoption Loans

eBook- TABLE OF CONTENTS


Chapter 1: Before You Get Started

Common Eligibility Criteria

U.S. CITIZENSHIP
HOME STUDY
LICENSED AGENCY OR NON-PROFIT AGENCY
MARITAL STATUS
RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION
SAVE FILES TO SAVE TIME

How to Choose Your Funding Source

Chapter 2: Get Ready . . . What You Need Before You Get Started

Documents You Will Need

TESTIMONIES AND STATEMENT OF FAITH
TAX RETURNS
HOME STUDY
PHOTOS
LETTERS OF REFERENCE
MOTIVATION TO ADOPT
PERSONAL FAMILY BUDGET/MONTHLY CASH FLOW
STATEMENT OF NET WORTH

Chapter 3: Get Set . . . How to Get Organized

Recommended Office Supplies
Mailing Your Documents

Chapter 4: Go! How to Write Your Family Story

Keys to Writing Your Family’s Story
Important information to Include in Your Story
Income and Income Tax Returns
Special Needs Child(ren) in Your Home
The Presence of Consumer or Other Debt

Chapter 5: Finish with Style and Grace

What Do I Need to Do Next?
Privacy and Identity Fraud Concerns
How to Keep Your Dream Alive
What if I Still Need Help?
Do You Know Someone Who Needs This Information?
Questions? Concerns?
Sample Applications and Documents

Now Available - The Complete Guide to Adoption Grants and Loans - Risk Free!

The Complete Guide to Adoption Grants and Adoption Loans is now available! As I have visited and emailed with families just like yours in the last few months, I began to realize you need more help than what I can provide through the website alone. The lessons I learned and the secrets I discovered can be the tools you need to guide you and show you the light at the end of the tunnel. This inspired me to write my eBook, The Complete Guide to Adoption Grants and Adoption Loans.

Thank you to the families who reviewed the book!  Check out their comments on the previous post.
You can purchase the eBook risk free here!

You will have a full day to read and review the book. I am confident that you will find it very useful. However, if you don't like it, just ask for a refund within 24 hours of purchase.

Refund FYI:
Since the book is protected by a license code, once you ask for a refund, your license code will no longer work and you will not have access to the book.

Until your adoption dream comes true,
Cherri

New eBook-What are people saying?

A few weeks ago several people took a Sneak Peak at the new eBook, The Complete Guide to Adoption Grants and Adoption Loans.  Here is what they had to say: 

“When we started the adoption process I never knew how much paperwork was involved. Once we had our home study completed they said we could apply for grants. I thought great this is will help financially. When I started to research for grants I found it could be more over whelming than most of the adoption paperwork. I was ready to give up and say forget it. But I found Cherri! She had done all the research for me. This book is such a blessing. If followed you will have less stress filling out for grants and it will save you lots of time. I recommend this book to any one adopting or considering adopting.” Holly W. ~ Soon to be mother of two Haitian girls.

“This book is very helpful! Applying for grants is an overwhelming task especially at the end of completing adoption paperwork such as applications and autobiographies. The grant process alone is more time consuming than the adoption paperwork. Your book is very informative, easy to read and helps clear the mind, prioritize what needs to be done and organizing the task. For so many people, applying for grants is a new concept and your book helps make the process a little easier and less stressful. Thank you for taking the time to help families like mine in growing our family through adoption!” Gina W. ~ Adoptive Parent

"The information in this book is invaluable. Filling out grant applications can be a headache, and this book is the "Advil" for the grant headache. I would recommend this book to anyone who will be filling out a grand application. There is nothing else like this available right now!" Tara S. ~ Adoptive Parent

“I love what I have read so far. This entire process is completely overwhelming and I feel the more step by step information you can find the less confusing it can be.” Destiny E. ~ Adoptive Parent

The Complete Guide to Adoption Grants and Adoption Loans will be ready soon!  Watch for ordering details.

Why I Wrote The Complete Guide to Adoption Grants and Adoption Loans

First I provided the Adoption Financial Assistance Charts that are loaded with information you need. As your needs grew, I began providing coaching and application services. Again your needs grew and this is why I wrote the The Complete Guide to Adoption Grants and Loans.

Ask yourself the following questions:

• How will I know which funding source to choose? Where do I start?
• How will I know what the common eligibility criteria are without wasting a bunch of time looking it up?
• How will I write my family’s story?
• Do I know what to include or exclude in my family’s story?
• What kinds of questions do grant and loan organizations ask and why do they ask them?
• What do the applications look like and what kind of information will I be asked to provide?
• I am concerned about my privacy and identity fraud. What do I do about this?
• What documents will I be required to provide?
• What do they mean when they ask for a Cash Flow Statement or Statement of Net worth?
• What about office supplies? Do I know which ones I will need or will I have to make several time-wasting trips to the store before I figure this out?
• I have a lot of consumer debt. Will they view this in a positive or negative light?

 I address all of these questions and more in the book The Complete Guide to Adoption Grants and Adoption Loans. Watch for details to get your copy soon!

Cherri

What is it like to raise a black or bi-racial child?

I posted this for Dillon International, but I want you to have access to this video as well. 

http://dillonadopt.blogspot.com/2011/01/what-is-it-like-to-raise-black-or-bi.html

Confessions of a lame CEO

Well folks, much to my dismay, I have discovered that quite a few of the links on the last Adopting Grant Charts either do not work or sent you to a completely different site. I want to apologize for any inconvenience or confusion this may have caused. I also noticed that at least one…maybe more grant organizations did not get on this new list at all. This is what happens I suppose when one person tries to be the CEO, CFO, COO, Administrative Assistant, Research Assistant, Marketing Director and Webmaster all at the same time!

This is of course in addition to running a household and keeping up with six children. My family thinks I am trying to do too much. Surely not…not me! I usually joke and tell people this is what ADHD people grow up to do!

The whole reason I started this website in the first place was to provide adoptive families with the most comprehensive and up-to-date source for adoption financing options. So needless to say, I am very disappointed in myself and I hope you will overlook these little snafus so we can keep moving forward.

PLEASE let me know if you notice any errors or problems with these charts so I can get them corrected as soon as possible. My goal and desire is to help other adoptive families and provide them with the most accurate information I possibly can. This goal is very challenging because the information on some of these resources can change the day after an updated chart is released. It is almost a full-time job to keep the financial resource charts current.

Cherri

Tax Credit or Refund - Which will it be?

Why would anyone look forward to filing their taxes? The only people who may actually look forward to this grand event are those who may be getting a refund. Thankfully, due to the hard work of several adoption advocacy groups, many adoptive parents can look forward to an adoption tax refund and not just a credit this year.
Throughout last year, I read several articles and debates about just exactly how this will work for families. The whole thing can be a bit confusing so here are some articles and links to articles that may help provide you with more info on this topic.

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide tax advice on the new adoption tax credit/refund. Therefore, make sure you check with someone who is an expert in this area like a credible CPA.

*****
Adoption Tax Credit Victory
Now a credit and a refund
March 01, 2010 / Martha Osborne

http://www.rainbowkids.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=701

“With the signing of the new health care bill, adoptive parents received some very welcome news. Not only will the adoption tax credit be extended until December 2011, but it has also been increased from $12,170 to $13,170 for adoptions occurring after January 2010. And for the first time, the credit will now be refundable. Families may receive a refund for documented expenses for the adoption of their child.

 What this mean to adoptive families:
 The best news: This new tax law means that adoptive parents may apply up to $13,170 of their adoption expenses toward their taxes owed, thereby decreasing the amount owed overall by this amount. However, the news gets even better. For the first time, families may be getting cash back from the IRS for their adoption expenses. That's right, the credit may now be taken as a refund for the first time. In the event that the couple owes less than the tax credit amount stated, they may receive some or all of the balance as a refund on their Federal taxes.

 The tax credit is important to both international and domestic adoptive families, but it's greatest beneficiaries are the children who will now have permanent families thanks to adoption being more affordable. Many groups and individuals have successfully lobbied to help extend this tax credit beyond its original expiration date of December 2010, and are still seeking to make the tax credit permanent. As we celebrate the extension of the deadline to December 2011, we must also remain vigilant in seeking to make this legislation a lasting gift to the children who wait.”

Seven minute video that has the adoption tax credit and refund information in a “nut shell”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQryETwRziA&feature=youtu.be&a
Thanks to Martha Osborn of Rainbow Kids for the link to this video!

There is a lot of tax info in this January Newsletter from a credible CPA:
http://www.heisercpa.com/newsletter.php

IRS website article that deals specifically with the Adoption Tax Refund: http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=231663,00.html

Tax Articles on About.com:
http://taxes.about.com/b/2010/10/04/enhanced-adoption-credit-for-2010.htm

http://taxes.about.com/od/deductionscredits/qt/adoptioncredit.htm

http://taxes.about.com/od/taxglossary/g/refundable-tax-credits.htm

I hope this information is helpful to you. I wish you all the best!

Cherri