Fundraising Your Adoption

 In 2010, My husband and I had a clear desire to start our family through adoption. My husband was in seminary and we were working entry-level positions on a very small budget. We knew that funding an adoption could be a challenge, but we were reminded of 1 Thessalonians 5:24: “He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.” As a family on a budget, here’s a few things we learned: 

1. It’s Good to Ask for Help. Not only is it okay to ask for help, but it is a good thing to invite others into our adoption journey. Through adoption yard-sales and community outreach, we were able to tell others about why we wanted to adopt. Christians are excited to take part in the redemptive journey of adoption for your family and a child in need of a home. Allowing others to be generous includes them in the redemption story. 

2. Use Many Avenues. One thing I encouraged adoptive families to do is to have multiple avenues of fundraising. Creative funding, grants/loans, and personal fundraising can all add up. Some churches allow for families to share their adoption story with Sunday School classes or through a church video. I love to brainstorm with families about what their personal network can provide - a yard sale, a spaghetti dinner, or even a date night event on a boat! It’s a good idea to set specific, time-limited goals that help you reach each milestone on your fundraising. 

3. Adoption is in Phases. I always tell prospective adoptive families that adoption has three phases. Phase One is Home study/Profile/Agency Fees. Phase Two is waiting/matching. Phase Three is post-placement (supervision and finalization). There’s time between phase 1 and phase 2 (the heftiest fees are at matching and placement). This waiting time can be a great time to apply for grants and work on funding! 

4. God’s Character is Displayed. Although it would be lovely to receive one giant check that covers all of the expenses, it is beautiful to see how the Lord provides through fishes and loaves, or $20 and $10 bills passed your way that lead to the expenses you need. I believe that relying on the Lord to provide invites us to know Him better. We are able to see the creativity, generosity and body of Christ in a new way. I was brought to tears so many times in the adoption journey as we saw how the Lord answered our prayers and provided what we needed in every step. 

As an adoption consultant, I love to walk with families through fundraising. It’s great if you have all of the money when you start your process, but there is something so beautiful about relying on the Lord to provide for your financial needs. I get so excited to talk with families who are planning to fundraise, because I know that they are going to learn so much in the process! Just this week, families I work with received several thousand dollars in grants. Your CAC consultant will direct you on grants and fundraising opportunities! 

“Any my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

By Rebekah McGee, LMSW