We understand that funding your adoption can be very difficult. The fact is, adoption is very expensive and can range from $45,000 to $67,000. Adoption-related expenses vary by state, agency, and need; however, most adoptions will include home study, court and legal fees, pre-adoption and post-adoption counseling for birth parents, birth parent medical and legal expenses, adoptive parent preparation and training, social work services needed to match a child with a prospective family, post-placement supervision until the adoption is finalized, and other agency-specific fees.[1] Not only can these fees be a financial burden or barrier for an expanding family, in the case of failed or terminated adoptions, many of those fees are lost and unrecoverable.
Courageous Hearts wants to assist you in decreasing the financial burden and making adoption attainable for families wishing to expand. We can connect adopting families with valuable resources and organizations that offer tax credits, grants, and loans. We also want to make sure our families are educated and confident in this decision to proceed with an adoption. More information can be found within the Adoption Financial Resources of the National Council for Adoption (NCFA). Please contact us if you have questions.
Federal Adoption Tax Credit (2025 & 2026)
Adoption Tax Credit Basics
The Federal Adoption Tax Credit is one of the most significant financial resources available to adoptive families.
For adoptions finalized in 2026 (claimed when filing taxes in 2027), families may be eligible for a credit of up to $17,670 per child for qualified adoption expenses, including agency fees, legal costs, court fees, and travel expenses.
Beginning in 2025, the Adoption Tax Credit became partially refundable, meaning families may receive up to a portion of the credit as a refund, even if their federal tax liability is less than the full credit amount.
- The federal Adoption Tax Credit provides a dollar-for-dollar reduction in tax liability for qualified adoption expenses.
- For adoptions finalized in 2026 (claims filed in 2027), the maximum credit is $17,670 per adopted child. More info from the National Council for Adoption.
- Beginning in 2025, the credit is partially refundable — meaning families may receive a refund up to a limit even if their tax liability is lower than the full credit.
- Qualified adoption expenses include fees paid to adoption agencies, attorney fees, court costs, travel, and more.
Grants and Funding
The following are some of the grant or funding opportunities that can assist you in funding your adoption
Summary: A non-profit, crowdfunding platform that bridges the gap between families who want to adopt and children who need loving homes. It also connects prospective adoptive families to available grants based on adoption status, actual adoption expenses, and donor designations.
How does it work? Create a family profile with your adoption story, family photo, and fundraising goal. Once your profile is complete, you can begin fundraising for your adoption expenses.
Is there a cost? There is no charge for the family to create a profile. A 5% transaction cost is deducted from all donations. This covers costs incurred for processing donations. Each donation is tax-deductible.
Emergency Fund: The AdoptTogether Emergency Fund was created to support families facing urgent, time-sensitive, and extreme adoption situations. It exists for those who have exhausted all grants and financial resources, and who cannot bring their child(ren) home without this critical assistance.
Emergency Fund Requirements: Demonstrated fundraising efforts through their AdoptTogether profile and personal networks. Existing funds already raised on their AdoptTogether profile. Completed Home Study. Currently matched with a specific child(ren) who are close to being placed with their adoptive family. Letter of recommendation from the adoption agency or attorney outlining the urgent circumstances (e.g., a child about to age out, a life-saving medical timeline, etc.). Funds may only be applied toward adoption-related expenses necessary to bring the child(ren) home.
Summary: A Child Waits Foundation promotes international and domestic adoptions for children currently living without the love and security of a permanent family and supports the domestic adoption of babies by offering grants and loans to help with the cost of adoption. Grant funds can be provided directly to the family provided they have paid in full to their adoption professionals. Loan funds for international adoption are paid directly to the family.
Eligibility: Family must have completed a home study; Current gross income less than $150,000; U.S. or Canadian Citizens; Grants apply only to domestic adoptions.
Application Deadlines: There are no deadlines and you may apply any time after you have a completed home study. Their process is ongoing and applications are accepted at any time during the year.
Non-discrimination: They accept applications from anyone adopting internationally, regardless of race, age, ethnicity, religion, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, or disability.
Application Fee: $20
Currently accepting 2026 applications. MORE INFO
Summary: Providing grants to complete the adoptions of vulnerable children – giving them permanent families and the chance to thrive. Grants up to $15,000 are available to help you complete your relative, domestic, or international adoption.
Eligibility: U.S. citizen who has an approved adoption home study from a Hague accredited agency (if international adoption) or licensed social worker (if domestic adoption).
Application Deadlines: No application deadlines. Families can apply anytime after completing their home study[2] and before finalization.
Non-discrimination: Provide grants without regard to marital status, race, sexual orientation, religion, or age.
Award Priority: For domestic adoption, the priority is to award grants that: help keep children who are in or at risk of entering the foster care system from entering the foster care system (this includes relative and kinship adoptions), and unite biological siblings or prevent them from being separated.
Application Fee: $50, non-refundable fee
Summary: Non-profit financial grant program that helps couples/individuals with the cost of their adoptions by awarding grants up to $30,000. They support domestic, international, and foster care adoptions and do not charge applicants to apply.
Eligibility: At least one applicant must be a US citizen. Must have a completed, approved, and current home study. Must not be pregnant, trying to conceive, or pursuing infertility treatments simultaneously with your adoption. Must demonstrate significant financial obstacles and the need for financial assistance. Must be able to distinguish between “not wanting” to write the check(s) for your adoption expenses and “not being able to”. Must demonstrate willingness to proceed with your adoption plans with or without their assistance. If the adoption has been finalized, or the child has been placed in your home, you are no longer eligible. Applicants must exhibit a commitment to adoption, and will continue with the adoption regardless of whether or not they obtain a grant from Helpusadopt.org.
Application Deadlines: They award grants six times a year. Applications must be submitted online by end of the day on the date indicated in order to be considered for that grant cycle.
Non-discrimination: Awards regardless of ethnicity, gender, marital status, race, religion, or sexual orientation.
Award Priority: Priority will be given to applicants without children and those with failed or disrupted adoption placements.
Application Fee: No application fee.
Summary: Providing financial support through adoption grants and loans to adoptive families to help them in the successful adoption of children. The Foundation’s programs are available to any family whether they are adopting a child domestically, abroad, or from foster care. Grant monies are forwarded directly to your adoption attorney. Grants range from $500 to $2,000, depending on the needs of the family and the circumstances surrounding the adoption.
Eligibility: The grant program is open to all legal adoptions of non-related children, and does not exclude private adoption, agency adoption, international adoption, or special needs adoption. The primary requirement for eligibility is a home study (either completed or in process).
Application Deadlines: On-going, the Foundation’s board meets four times a year, during the last week of each quarter, to award adoption grants. If you have applied but have not been awarded a grant, you may reapply for the next quarter by simply notifying them via email.
Non-discrimination: No exclusions as to race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, family characteristics, or income.
Application Fee: $30 processing fee is required.
Summary: WAT! Black Family Adoption Assistance, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that provides adoption grants to black families seeking to adopt. Their mission is to help increase the number of black adoptive families through financial assistance and increasing adoption awareness in the black community. Adoption Grant minimum of $5,000 depending on funds. Home Study Grant of $1,500 depending on funds.
Eligibility: For the Adoption Grant you must be Home Study Approved; signed with an adoption agency and have proof of fees to be collected; can show actual related costs if private adoption. For Home Study Grant you must be Home Study Approved and in the process of adopting.
Application Deadline: Applicants may apply at any time the application period is open. 2026 WAT! Grant Application Cycle is open until 2/2/26! Apply HERE.
Summary: Show Hope’s Adoption Aid grants help break down the costs of adoption through grants ranging from $8,000 to $12,000.
Eligibility: Home study or home study update must be completed; must be in process using an agency that is a 501©(3) nonprofit organization licensed to place children for adoption. If working with an adoption consultant, you cannot apply for a grant until you have finalized your placement agency. Must agree to their Statement of Faith and have references from your pastor. One parent must be a U.S. citizen. Single parents can apply.
Application Deadlines: There are four application deadlines throughout the year: March 31, June 30, September 30, January 5. If a portion of your application or references is not complete in time, you will be moved to the next deadline.
Their current Adoption Aid grant application period is open through March 31, 2026!
Summary: Adoption assistance for Christian families. Loans are typically no more than 1/3 of the overall cost of the adoption, and average in the range of $6,000 to $8,000. Two programs include an interest-free loan or a family grant fund-raising program.
Eligibility: The ABBA Fund makes its adoption assistance resources in the general loan fund available only to married Christian couples.
Summary: Brittany’s Hope works to build a bridge to unite children with special needs to families with open hearts to adopt but are burdened by the substantial fees associated with inter-country adoption.
Eligibility: Adopting a child from a country other than the U.S.; adopting a child who has been designated special needs; your placing agency must be one of their affiliates. Families need to fundraise a minimum of one-half (1/2) of their awarded adoption grant.
What are Special Needs? In the spectrum of international adoption, children with ‘special needs’ are those deemed difficult to place due to their age, physical or mental handicap, and sibling groups. Children with more specialized needs are at a greater risk for dependence- therefore, there are a disproportionate number of children with special needs who are abandoned.
Summary: Private foundation providing adoption assistance funding for Christian couples.
Eligibility: Christian married couples, no single adults; home study must be complete and approved; initial application and home study fees must be paid; maximum gross income per household should be no more than $120,000; does not accept applications from families whose current adoption will bring the number of children in the family to more than ten; adoption agency must have a 501©3 status; must have interview and references from your pastor; two years between grant applications
Application Deadline: Four application deadlines throughout the year: January 31, April 30, July 31, and October 31
Application Fee: None
Summary: Lifesong for Orphans guides adopting families through the fundraising process, removing the financial barriers to adoptions. Families can receive matching grants, interest-free loans, and access to a free crowdfunding platform.
Eligibility: Home study must be complete to apply; must be a practicing Christian and submit a letter of support from home church; 2-parent, married households; no income requirements; must be U.S. citizen; the application must be received before the placement of a child in your home.
Application Deadline: You can apply at any time. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and a decision is made in 4 to 6 weeks.
Application Fee: None
America’s Christian Credit Union
Summary: ACCU adoption loans feature fixed interest rates as low as 6.49% APR, terms up to 84 months (7 years), .50% rate discount with automatic payments, and no collateral needed. Whether your adoption is domestic or international, the ACCU has a wide array of options to help remove financial barriers and custom-tailor a solution that best suits your family’s needs. They also offer a $500 grant to “ACCU members who say ‘Yes’ to God’s call to adopt.” Also offer an Adoption Line of Credit.
Summary: Open Hearts for Orphans offers grants from $2000-$6000 for special needs adoptions. Their goal is for children with special needs to be adopted into traditional, two-parent Christian families; however they do give consideration to other families on an individual basis. They offer a special “Downright Lovable” grant for families adopting children with Down syndrome, a “Heart Warrior” grant for families adopting children who have heart defects, and additional assistance may be provided should a travel nurse be necessary to accompany a medically-fragile child in the process.
Criteria: Leading of the Holy Spirit as their Independent selection committee prays for wisdom; the needs of the child and circumstances (special needs, older child, etc.); the financial need of prospective adoptive parents; their availability of funds.
The Associates Home Loan of Florida
Summary: The $1,000 Associates Home Loan Adoption Grant was created in 2020 to assist those who are wanting to adopt but may need financial assistance in the process. They believe individuals and families who are willing to open up their homes to adoptive children are worth recognizing. With that said, they understand that the adoption process can be costly. Their hope is our grant can be a source of support to supplement the cost of giving a child a loving, permanent family.
Eligibility: This grant opportunity is exclusively for first-time parents. All applicants must be home-studied approved. Money is only payable in USD to a US adoption agency. The grant money will be mailed directly to your agency of choice. Two recipients a year will be selected. The first deadline is on June 30. The second deadline is December 31. The chosen individual/family to receive the grant must respond within two weeks to confirm their adoption agency and contact information. If Associates Home Loan does not receive a response within two weeks, another recipient will be selected.
Non-discrimination: They accept applications from anyone adopting, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, religion, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.
Deadlines: A recipient will be selected twice a year. The next deadline is June 30th, 2026.
Summary: Fertility and adoption grants for cancer survivors. They provide financial support and educational resources for fertility treatments, adoption, and surrogacy while advocating for oncofertility within the healthcare system and beyond. They provide Emergency Fertility Preservation Grants from $500-2500 paid directly to the clinic for folks looking to preserve their fertility and have not yet received cancer treatment. Additionally, if you’ve completed your cancer treatment, you can apply for the Post-Cancer Treatment Family Building Grants. Grants may be used for a frozen embryo transfer, embryo preservation, egg preservation, semen preservation, storage fees, adoption, and surrogacy. Grants are $500-$2500 and are paid directly to the clinic or agency.
Eligibility: Diagnosis of cancer.(Those a predisposition to cancer or a non cancer diagnosis requiring chemotherapy don’t qualify.) Establish financial hardship through 1040 (IRS tax form). Have no fertility insurance coverage. Between the ages of 13 and 39. Receive fertility treatment at a facility or work with an agency based in the U.S. Oncology provider must recommend and provide documentation that fertility preservation, treatment or surrogacy is necessary and appropriate because of cancer diagnosis. Not yet a parent.
Summary: Offer interest-free loans to remove financial barriers to adoption.
Eligibility: Home study approved. Rooted in faith. No income restrictions. Currently, Pathways for Little Feet is unable to provide financial support to those working with adoption agencies in Utah or any agency working with an expectant mother who is in a different state than the licensed agency.
Summary: The Omnah Foundation offers grants to Christian adoptive families who need additional support. They provide resources, encouragement, and prayer support for families throughout their adoption journey. Because their operation costs are covered by other means, 100% of what is given by donors is directly applied toward the adoption expenses of Christ-centered families. Adoption grants through the Omnah Foundation bridge the financial gap and enable adoptive families to complete the process and welcome children into their loving homes. When their financial situation stabilizes, families are encouraged to “give forward” by contributing back to the foundation, ensuring that more children can be placed into Christ-centered homes.
Eligibility: The applying family must be a Christian, two-parent household with a commitment to providing a Christ-centered home for their child. At least one applicant must be a U.S. citizen. A completed and current home study must be submitted for Tier 2 applications (not required for Tier 1). Families must show a genuine need for financial assistance. Families must agree to the terms outlined in the Omnah Foundation application process and agree with the Foundation’s statement of faith.
Summary: Their goal is to provide families with resources and training to best equip them along their path to adoption. They hope to be the guidepost we wished was available to us when we went through our own adoption journey. Pure Gift of God has been blessed to support more than 300 families on their adoption journeys since our group was founded more than 6 years ago.
Eligibility: In order to apply for a grant, you must be in the adoption process using an agency that is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization licensed to place children for adoption. If you are working with an adoption consultant, your pledged grant will only be honored if your placement is done through a nonprofit agency. Additionally, consulting fees will not be considered as part of your adoption cost. Your home study or home study update must be completed in order to apply. Funding priority will be given, but not limited, to families with the greatest financial need who complete the application process with integrity, establishing that they are equipped to provide a child with a loving home consistent with the founding principles of Pure Gift of God.
State & Local Adoption Assistance
Some states offer additional adoption benefits, such as:
- Reimbursement for non-recurring adoption expenses
- State-level adoption tax credits
- Adoption subsidies or grants
Because these programs vary widely, families are encouraged to check with their state Department of Human Services or child welfare agency.
Employer Adoption Benefits
Many employers offer adoption benefits that may include:
- Direct financial assistance
- Paid or unpaid adoption leave
- Pre-tax adoption expense reimbursements
Families should ask their employer or HR department whether adoption benefits are available. If they don’t, consider sharing this “Adoption-Friendly Workplace Employer Toolkit” by the Dave Thomas Foundation with your employer.
According to the IRS, if your employer provides adoption benefits for qualified expenses, you may not have to include those benefits in your income, which means you may not have to pay taxes on them. You can exclude up to $17,280 from your income in 2025 if your employer paid you those benefits:
- Under a written qualified adoption assistance program
- Directly or through a third party
You can find these payments on your Form W-2, Box 12, Code T, or your salary may have been reduced to pay these benefits.
Subtract this employer-provided benefit from your income before you calculate the adoption tax credit. See Employer-Provided Adoption Benefits for more information.
[1] Child Welfare Information Gateway: https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubPDFs/s_costs.pdf
[2] If a home study is not required for your adoption (relative/kinship adoption) or if you are pursuing a domestic adoption of a specific child over the age of one (typically a former foster child or a subsequent adoption), you may still apply without a home study. Click here for more information.
