Financing Adoption

Resources That Make Adoption Affordable

The adoption process can bring an immense amount of joy, but depending on the program, it can also be expensive. While the majority of costs are covered for those who adopt from MN foster care, families who chose to adopt through U.S. infant or international adoption are faced with a variety of adoption fees. Families from all economic situations can adopt by tapping into a variety of resources and strategies.

Your Adoption Finance Coach

Your Adoption Finance Coach (YAFC) services are free for clients of CH/LSS. Services include budgeting tips, training,  grant funding application support, individualized financial plans, finance boot camp, and more!

Access YAFC

If you are a current client of CH/LSS or are interested in a free preliminary consultation, please email us.

Adoption Support Fund

Thanks to the support of many generous donors we are able to offer our own grant program, called the Adoption Support Fund. The goal is to eliminate fee barriers for adoptees, and birth and adoptive parents who are accessing our services and supports. All applicants must be using CH/LSS services.

Our internal committee reviews each application to determine the award amount. Grants can range from $25 – $20,000. Annually, our fund disburses an average of $175,000 to more than 130 recipients.

For adoption grants, our fund prioritizes supporting relative/kinship cases, sibling groups, school-age kids and kids of all ages with identified needs. We ask that you apply once you are matched to a child(ren).

Folks using our education and/or post adoption support services can apply for a grant any time. The grant application is included in our Post Adoption Service Request form.

For adoption grants, please email us at [email protected] to obtain an application.

Adoption Tax Credit

Tax benefits for adoption include both a tax credit for qualified adoption expenses paid to adopt an eligible child and an exclusion from income for employer-provided adoption assistance. The credit is nonrefundable, which means it’s limited to your tax liability for the year. However, any credit in excess of your tax liability may be carried forward for up to five years. The maximum amount for 2024 is $16,810 per child.

Assistance, Grants, Loans & More

There are a number of organizations that provide financial aid and grants to adoptive families. We at CH/LSS do not recommend any particular organization, nor is this an exhaustive list. Note, granting organizations have their own eligibility criteria. Please check with each organization prior to submitting an application.

Employee Benefits

Many employers offer adoption benefits and others might be willing to consider ways to become more adoption-friendly workplaces. Speak with your HR department about whether or not your employer offers foster care and/or adoption benefits. If they do—then be sure to utilize them! If they don’t, The Dave Thomas Foundation provides Adoption-Friendly Workplace kits that will help your employer find ways to become more adoption-friendly.

Additional Resources

Debt-free Adoption Webinar | Julie Gumm, Adoptive Mother, and Author, Adopt Without Debt: Creative Ways to Cover the Cost of Adoption, talks about strategies you can use to adopt a child debt-free.

LSS Financial Counseling | Trusted, holistic financial counseling service, providing nonjudgmental guidance and knowledge for more than 35 years.