A Child Waits Foundation
Adoption Grants & Adoption Loans
International and Domestic Adoption
Domestic Adoption Grant Program
A Child Waits Foundation is committed to reducing financial barriers to adoption by providing grants to families adopting a baby or child domestically. All children need and deserve a loving and supportive family. In 2019 we expanded our Adoption Grant Program to include adoptions in the United States and in 2021 despite Covid-19 we awarded 77 grants to families adopting domestically.
Eligibility Criteria
We accept applications from anyone adopting internationally, regardless of race, age,
ethnicity, religion, gender, marital status, sexual orientation or disability.
United States or Canadian Citizens
Adopting Domestically
Current Gross Income Less Than $150,000*
*See FAQ's for more information.
Types of Adoptions Funded
-
Private Adoptions of Newborns or Older Children
-
Sibling Groups or Reunification of Siblings
-
Foster Children if Expenses are not Paid by the State
-
Children from an Adoption Disruption/Dissolution
When to Apply
After you have:
-
Completed the Home Study
-
Prior to Finalization
Selection of Applicants
The selection of applicants Is based on a combination of the following factors:
-
Cost of the Adoption
-
Families' Financial Situation
-
Availability of Funds at A Child Waits Foundation
Our Application Procedures
Ongoing Process
Our process is ongoing and applications are accepted at any time during the year. There are no application deadlines to be met. Please submit applications after homestudy completion and prior to finalization.
Submission to the Board
All applications are presented to the Board of Directors for their review and final decision. Grant decisions and grant amounts are determined by our Board.
Applications Can Be Expedited
Under special circumstances, A Child Waits can expedite the grant review process. This often occurs when a match is made sooner than anticipated or you are matched with a baby who is already born.
Adoption Delays
If your adoption is significantly delayed, updated forms and any new or additional information regarding your child will be requested when the adoption is able to proceed.
Notification
All grant applicants will be notified of the Board's decision whether approved or denied.
Steps in the Application Process
Step 1 - Preliminary Assessment and Receipt of Application
When we receive the application, there will be a preliminary assessment to be sure the applicants and adoption meet our general criteria.
Families may apply at any point in the adoption process and applications may be submitted once a homestudy has been completed. We will accept applications without the baby or child's information if the information is not available at the time the family chooses to apply.
Step 2 - Application Status and Completion
If you are waiting for the baby to be born or waiting to be chosen by an expectant mother A Child Waits will keep your application in a pending status until after the baby is born or you have identified a child to be adopted. Your application will be complete once we receive the picture and medical of the child.
Step 3 - Application Review
Prior to your application being reviewed by the Board, you will be contacted to clarify any information, to ascertain the timing of the Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) and when applicable, the length of the revocation period.
Step 4 - Grant Decision
The Board will review your application to determine if a grant will be approved and the amount of the grant award. You will be notified of the decision.
Step 5 - Grant Disbursement
Funds will be disbursed once A Child Waits confirms with the agency or attorney:
1) That placement has occurred.
2) The Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) has been signed and the revocation period has ended.
Our Funding Process
Qualified
Adoption Expenses
Grant funds will be disbursed for qualified adoption expenses, including attorney fees, travel and other adoption related expenses.
How Grants are Paid
The funds will be sent to the adoption professional, which may be your agency or attorney. If all the required fees have been paid, we have the ability to send the grant funds directly to the family.
When Grants are Paid
Grant funds are intended for final adoption costs and in most cases are not released until the termination of parental rights (TPR) has been signed and the revocation period has ended.
Grant Amounts
Grant amounts are based on several factors, but will usually not exceed $10,000.
Funding Availability
Requests for financial assistance may outweigh resources, and we regret that A Child Waits Foundation may not be able to provide adoption aid to every qualified family.
After You Are Home
A Child Waits Foundation requests a brief summary of your adoption and pictures after your child is home. If the family gives written consent, A Child Waits Foundation may use your pictures and adoption summary, without last names, on our website or other publications. These pictures and stories may help other prospective families through the stressful process of adoption.