[girlgator1995]

Hi all,
Our adoption journey started just a couple of months ago, but has moved into the fast lane very quickly. We started out pursuing an infant adoption with a Christian agency (however, we were also open to toddlers, as we have a 9-yr-old bio son). When we met w/the agency, they mentioned that they happen to have a child with a private foster couple who was available. He is three years old and we were immediately interested. So far, we have submitted two applications and will be starting our homestudy soon. However, this means we have A LOT less time to come up with the money. We will have at the most 5 months to come up with approx. $10,000. Even though he is in foster care, it is a private foster family and a private agency, so we have to pay for all the legal fees (approx. $4,000) and the monies paid to the foster family (approx. $3,000 - 3,500), plus all the travel + time for the caseworker. Is is possible to get a grant that quickly once our homestudy is completed? We are not sure how we'll come up with the money, but are trusting God will provide the means. If you know of any good resources for grants, loans, etc. Please pass them along!! Thank you!! Feel free to PM me or reply here.
Marilyn

[waitingforourson]

Instead of going thru the agency go thru the state. We have friends that have learns this the hard way. If you go thru the state for the adoption it should be free. At most you'd have to pay court costs up front but would be reimbursed. Contact the state- tell them your desire and see what they can help you with. Then pray about the decision. I know there is a Christian bank that loans out adoption money... Just google Christian adoption loans and you'll find it. Also there are so many grants you can apply for :-)

[Klav]

My wife and I went to our Pastor for suggestions. The biggest help was a Church sponsored silent auction. Many friends and family members donated items to the cause. He placed the monies received in a "help fund" which was kept there until we received placement. Folks at our Church could also make donations to our cause through the offering plate by denoting it on the envelope.
We canvased local businesses and received many gift certificates with face values in some cases to feed families or take a family out for a movie night.
We had almost 3 years to raise our funds but between the auction and donations alone we raised 1/3 of the adoption fees in total.

[MountainMommy]

If you had to you could take out a personal loan through a credit union or your bank. A low interest loan would give you a little more time to raise funds if you need the money now. You could work to pay it off with a garage sale (get donations from friends), a craft fair, etc.

[PapaElliott]

There are lots of great resources out there for Christians: Show Hope is an adoption grant started by Steven Curtis Chapman. The Abba Fund has adoption loans for believers and there is no interest on the loan. Check and see if your church has one. I've written on my blog about ways we have been raising money for our adoption. You can read it at:
https://snapshotsfromourjourney.blogspot.com/

Elliott

[Sitta]

Originally Posted by PapaElliott

There are lots of great resources out there for Christians: Show Hope is an adoption grant started by Steven Curtis Chapman. The Abba Fund has adoption loans for believers and there is no interest on the loan.

"For believers"?
Does it require a faith test or something?