Financial Resources

We understand that for most families, adoption is a significant financial undertaking. The detailed fee information in our Adoption Guide is intended to help you plan and budget for your adoption. Adoption fees can range from $30,000-$50,000 depending on the program you select. It is important to note that fees are due at the major milestones of your adoption and are often spread out over 18-36 months.  There are many opportunities to make your child’s adoption more affordable. Plus, Wide Horizons For Children accepts credit cards for all of our fees.

Wide Horizons For Children Subsidies

Adoption subsidy funds are made available through the generosity of our donors, so vary accordingly. While we would like to help every adopting family with a financial grant, consideration is limited to families who are adopting Waiting Children, and have a combined household income of $200,000 or less. Grants, when available, are up to $5,000 for a qualified family. WHFC is also a partner of Brittany’s Hope Foundation which allows us to award an additional adoption grant of $3,000–$5,000 to families who meet our Waiting Child subsidy requirements and fulfill a fundraising requirement.

Tax Credits and Deductions

US Federal Adoption Tax Credit: As of 2023, adoptive families may be eligible for a tax credit of more than $15,000 per adopted child. You may claim the credit on your federal tax return for the year in which your child’s adoption becomes final and can carry it forward for up to 5 years. It is a dollar- for-dollar reduction to your tax liability. Other benefits such as state tax deductions or retroactive claims may be available. For more information, consult with your tax preparer or visit:

In addition to the adoption tax credit, you may be able to exclude certain amounts your employer paid for qualifying adoption expenses from your gross income for federal tax purposes.

Individual State Deductions: Check with your tax preparer for deductions you may be eligible for within your state of residence. For example, Massachusetts residents can claim an exemption for the full amount of fees paid to adoption agencies. Contact your state’s Department of Revenue or Taxation or your State Adoption Specialist for more information. State Adoption Specialists can be found at the Child Welfare Information Gateway.

Retroactive Claims: You may be able to claim newly discovered tax benefits retroactively for up to three years. File Form 1040X to correct an error in a prior year’s federal return to collect a refund if one is due.

Adoption Grants and Loans

The following providers of adoption grants and loans are independent of Wide Horizons For Children. Please be advised that the information listed can change without notice. You may discover additional resources by conducting your own Internet search.

Non-Denominational

A Child Waits provides grants of up to $7,000 and low-interest loans of up to $10,000 to families adopting internationally who have exhausted all other financial options and cannot proceed with their adoption without help. Combined income should not be more than $150,000. Families may apply for both a grant and loan at the same time. If awarded both a grant and a loan, the total maximum awarded is $10,000.

Both Hands awards grants to help reduce the financial barrier to adoption for families.

Gift of Adoption provides $1,000-$10,000 grants to qualifying families adopting domestically or internationally, with the average grant totaling $3,500.

Help Us Adopt offers families demonstrating financial need grants between $500 – $15,000 towards domestic, international, foster or special needs adoptions.

International Adoption Resources offers $500-$1,500 grants that can be used toward the cost of an international adoption. There are no income requirements, but financial need or financial hardship for either the adoptive family or child is considered.

Journey to Parenthood Foundation a non-profit providing grants to those struggling with infertility. Also provides social support through groups to connect those with infertility.

The National Adoption Foundation offers $500-$2,000 grants to adoptive families on a needs-based assessment. There is no income requirement. Also provides low-interest loans for adoption.

The National Council For Adoption provides a resource list and guide with a wide variety of information from tax benefits, loans, to fundraising and with a specific list of granting organizations.

The North American Council on Adoptable Children lists eligibility and benefit information for state adoption subsidy programs.

Oxford Adoption Foundation, Inc. offers low-interest loans of up to $5,000 to adoptive families.

Parenthood for Me offers grants to adoptive families pursuing domestic or international adoptions who can demonstrate significant financial need.

Pathways for Little Feet provides interest-free loans to qualifying families based primarily on (but not limited to) financial need.

Resources 4 Adoption provides the very latest in Adoption Financing Education, Information, and Resources.

The Sparrow Fund provides grants to cover the cost of medical reviews from qualifying US providers for families adopting internationally.

United Healthcare Children’s Foundation provides grants to cover prescribed medical services (not fully covered by insurance) for children in need.

Associates Home Loan Adoption Grant offers is a $1,000 adoption grant for home study approved families. One recipient is selected twice a year with deadlines in June and December.

Faith-Based

The ABBA Fund provides married Christian couples interest-free loans to cover adoption expenses. These loans are typically no more than 1/3 of the total adoption cost and range from about $6,000 – $8,000.

America’s Christian Credit Union offers low interest rate adoption loans awarded to Christian families.

God’s Grace Adoption Ministry provides matching grants up to $1,000 for Christian families.

Golden Dawn Adoption Assistance provides grants of up to $2,000 to Christian families adopting children with special needs and other hard-to-place children. Grants are considered on a needs based assessment.

HANDinHAND Christian Adoption provides matching grants for Christian adoptive families based on donations received on behalf of the family from other family members and friends.

Hebrew Free Loan Association provides interest-free loans of up to $15,000 for adoption expenses to Jewish residents of Northern California.

His Kids Too! offers grants to qualifying families who are adopting internationally based on donations the charity receives on behalf of the family from other family members and friends.

Katelyn’s Fund Orphan Ministry offers married Christian couples a grant toward international or domestic adoption costs. Grants are awarded up to $3,000 for first-time grants based on available resources, and priority is given to families whose income is under $100,000. Second and third-time grants are awarded up to $1,500. There is a maximum limit of three grants.

Lifesong for Orphans offers interest-free loans to Christian families based on financial need and available funds. Matching grants are given in the range of $1,000-$4,000 which encourage the church community to contribute.

Shaohannah’s Hope (also known as “Show Hope”) provides grants to qualifying Christian families for international, domestic and foster child adoptions.

Topeka Community Foundation Building Families Fund offers grants to Christian families from Kansas, or those with ties to Kansas, for up to half of all verified

Crowdfunding

AdopTTogether is a non-profit crowdfunding platform that helps off set adoption expenses by allowing families to fundraise in their community.  Donations are tax-deductible.

Adoption Benefits in the Workplace

Employer Benefits: Find out if your employer offers adoption benefits by contacting your Human Resources Department. You may also check with the National Adoption Center.

Advocating for Adoption Benefits: If your company does not offer adoption benefits, you might consider proposing them. The Adoption and Workplace Initiative, sponsored by the National Adoption Center and the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, has developed materials to help you advocate for adoption benefits in the workplace.

Military Subsidies: The US Military will reimburse active-duty personnel for most one-time adoption costs up to $2,000 per child or up to $5,000 per year for qualifying expenses for adoptions arranged by a qualified adoption agency. 

Other Resources

  • Contact the airlines to inquire about a reduced rate or waiver of fees for adoption-related travel. You may also want to consider asking family members or friends for a donation of frequent flyer mileage or credit-card points that are redeemable for travel.
  • Research home-equity loans or refinancing your home.
  • Borrow from a 401(k) or retirement account. Consult your tax advisor or financial planner regarding this loan option and how it will affect your future retirement finances.
  • Borrow from a life insurance policy. Cash-value life insurance policies often allow you to borrow against the policy. Consult your insurance agent as to whether this option is available to you.
  • Consider accepting a loan from family or friends. This can be done as formally or informally as you prefer.
  • Consider adoption crowdfunding through an organization such as https://adopttogether.org/Consult your adoption program manager first as some international placing organizations may not allow this.
  • Wide Horizons For Children can accept financial gifts from family or friends on your behalf; however, because the gift is for your child’s adoption, it would not qualify as a tax-deductible donation