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Financial Support Resources

​Our Children’s Homestead believes finances should not stop a child from having a loving family. We offer you these resources to help offset the cost of adoption.

Reduction of Adoption Program Fee
There may be a reduction in the adoption program fee if the child you are adopting has moderate to severe special needs. This is determined on a case-by-case basis. There is no reduction in fees for children with minor special needs.

Tax Credits
Our Children’s Homestead strongly recommends adoptive families consult a legal or tax professional with relation to any adoption credit.
Hope for Children’s Act
The Hope for Children Act (Public Law 107-16) has resulted in increased adoption tax credits for “qualifying adoption expenses.” It also increases the employer adoption assistance exclusion.
Our Children’s Homestead has prepared this brief overview of the Adoption Tax Credit with direct links to forms and resources. This document is a general guideline for the new provisions of the adoption tax credit. It should not be used as a definitive source of information for individual cases. http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/index.html

What are “qualified adoption expenses?”
According to the IRS: “Qualifying adoption expenses are reasonable and necessary adoption fees, court costs, attorney fees, traveling expenses (including meals & lodging) and other expenses related to, and whose principal purpose is for the legal adoption of an eligible child.” These are calculated by adding up such expenses related to adoption and subtracting any amounts reimbursed or paid for by employer, government agency or other organization.

Who qualifies for the tax credit?
Persons with modified adjusted gross incomes, as per the most recent tax credit policy.
Please refer to IRS Publication 968 for specific information relating to applicable adoptions that qualify; how special needs adoptions qualify; how this works for domestic and international adoptions. (See tax consultant for each inquiry)


Federal Adoption Tax Credits: Families are currently able to claim a tax credit for adoption expenses. Please note the 2016 maximum credit is $13460.00 per child.  (Please see your tax consultant for the most current credit information)
IRS Publication # 8839: Qualified Adoption Expenses
HR 1836 – Tax Reconciliation Bill (provisions for adoption tax credit)


State Tax Credits: Some states provide non-recurring adoption fee reimbursements.
(Please see your tax consultant)


Employer assistance:
Your employer may offer adoption benefits to their employees. Some companies offer paid and unpaid leave.  Check with your Human Resources department.

National Financial Assistance:
Our Children’s Homestead does not endorse or have experience with any of the following agencies. This list is provided as a potential resource available to help offset the cost of adoption. This information is from the Child Welfare Information Gateway and the Internet:


Resources:
The Abba Fund
P.O. Box 78800
Charlotte, NC 28271-7042

www.abbafund.org
Offers interest free loans for Christian families

The Dave Thomas Foundation
4150 Tuller Road, Suite 204
Dublin, OH 43017

https://davethomasfoundation.org/
Offers services and resources for purposes of adoption
Includes list of Adopt-Friendly Workplaces


Shaohannah’s Hope
6723 Whittier Ave., Suite 306
Mclean, VA 22101
(800) 784-5361

www.shaohannahshope.com
Offers Grants for eligible Christian families in the process of adopting

A Child’s Desire
1735th Washington
Natchitoches, LA 71457
(318) 354-1229

www.achildsdesire.org
Provides grants for families seeking to adopt hard to place children, special needs children and children over 8.

Gift of Adoption Fund
101 E. Pier St., 1st Floor
Port Washington, WI 53074
(877) 905-2367

www.giftofadoption.org      
Offers $3,000.00 to $10,000.00 in grants to up to 8 families per month who are seeking to adopt


God’s Grace Adoption Ministry
P.O. Box 4
Modesto, CA 95353
(209) 572-4539

www.ggam.org
Offers grants and no-interest loans for eligible Christian adoptive families

Life International
P.O. Box 40202 N. Ford St.
Gridley, IL 61744
(309) 747-3556

www.lifeintl.org
Offers the matching of grants involving family’s local church

National Adoption Foundation
100 Mill Plain Rd.
Danbury, CT 06811
(203) 791-3811

www.nafadopt.org    
Offers financial assistance for adoptive parents in the form of loans, direct grants and credit cards


Child Welfare Information Gateway
Children’s Bureau/ACYF
1250 Maryland Ave., SW, 8th Floor
Washington, DC 20024
(800) 394-3366 or (703) 385-7565

www.childwelfare.gov/adoption/adoptive/funding.cfm
Offers resources to help prospective adoptive parents understand the costs involved in adoption and make it more affordable through grants, loans, employer benefits, tax credits and subsidies

Open Arms Children’s Charities
404 E. 4th Ave. #A
Post Falls, ID 83854
(636) 578-3946

www.open-arms.org
Offers grants that are awarded on a quarterly basis

Little Flowers Foundation
P.O. Box 87143
Gaithersburg, MD 20886

www.littleflowers.org
Offers grants to Catholic families for special needs and hard to place children; Funds are limited and will be granted to those with the greatest financial need

Affording Adoption
http://www.affordingadoption.com/
Lists grant resources, loan opportunities and fundraising ideas for families​

United Healthcare Children’s Foundation
MN012-S286
P.O. Box 41
Minneapolis, MN 55440-0041
(800) 328-5979 x24459

www.uhccf.org
Offers an average grant of $2,300 to help children in need receive medical services prescribed by their physicians that aren’t fully covered by medical insurance.

Bright Futures
5 Broadview St.
Acton, MA 01720
(978) 263-5400

www.bright-futures.org/aboutbf/Financialassist.htm
Offers small grants to help internationally orphaned/abandoned children find forever families
​

United Way International
701 N. Fairfax St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 519-0092

http://www.unitedway.org/my-smart-money
Provides assistance for travel costs for children adopted with illness who need immediate medical attention; Applications must be supported with a doctor’s statement
​Mission:
To support and strengthen children and families in their toughest, most vulnerable moments.

Vision: 
A world where children are safe and families are connected.
Copyright © 2025 Our Children's Homestead, All rights reserved.
Leading in Foster Care and Adoptions since 1995


Contact Us
Naperville Office: (630) 369.0004      Rockford Office: (815) 316.7626      
​[email protected]
                         

Locations

Naperville Office: 280 Shuman Blvd. Suite 270 Naperville, IL 
Rockford office: 1401 N. 2nd street Rockford, IL 61107


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  • Home
  • DONATE
  • services
    • Therapeutic Foster Care
    • Adoption
  • Get Involved
    • Become a Foster Parent
    • Volunteer
    • Join Our Team
  • About Us
    • Who we are
    • License, Accreditation & Memberships
    • Annual Impact Reports
    • Annual/Financial Reports
  • News/Events
    • Wish Wall
    • Success Stories