Adoption Grants for Minorities
The financial costs of adopting a child prevents many families from taking this step. According to the National Adoption Center, out of the 514,000 children who were in foster care in 2005, only 52,000 were adopted. Prospective parents must have home studies done beforehand, which cost time and money, and getting ready for a new child takes more money still. Several organizations offer grants that can help defray the cost of adopting minority children.
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The MICAH Fund
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The MICAH (Minority Infant and Children Adoption Help) Fund seeks to provide grants to Christian prospective adoptive families "in Minnesota and surrounding cities" who would like minority children to join their families. The amount of the grant is not fixed in advance but is decided during the application process, based on need, funds available, and the qualifications of the parents. (See reference 2). Applicants must already have had a home study completed before applying for the grants. The application process involves paperwork and in-person interviews. After the family obtains a referral on a child and returns home with their new addition, grant money will be released to the adoption agency involved.
The MICAH Fund
2112 Broadway St. N.E., Suite 100
Minneapolis, MN 55413
651-636-5255
micahfund.org
Gift of Adoption Fund
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The Gift of Adoption Fund makes grants available to parents who demonstrate the need for financial assistance in adopting. Almost $2 million has been awarded by the group, almost half of which went to the adoption of "special needs" children: minority children, older children, or kids with disabilities or medical problems. Applicants must have had a home study completed from an accredited social worker or agency before beginning the process. They must also not have already finalized an adoption. Gift of Adoption gets around 50 grant requests per month, and roughly 20 of them meet the grant criteria. Grants can be from $1,000 to $7,500, although grants in the amount of $3,500 are most common. (See reference 3). Applications are reviewed once a month and then decided upon by the Grant Selection Committee and the regional chapters.
Gift of Adoption Fund
P.O. Box 567
2001 Waukegan Road, 5th Floor
Techny, IL 60082
877-905-2367
giftofadoption.org -
Ibsen Adoption Network
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Ibsen Adoption Network provides grants to families in Washington state who want to adopt a minority child, an older child, siblings, or a child with special emotional and physical needs. Grants are awarded based on the cost of the adoption, the finances of the family, and the needs of the child or children waiting to be adopted. (See references 4). Those seeking grants must have a home study already completed and a child referral before applying. The Ibsen Allocations Committe makes the final decision, and money is paid directly to a nonprofit agency once the child is brought home.
Ibsen Adoption Network
2730 French Road, N.W.
Olympia, WA 98502
360-866-7036
ibsenadoptionnetwork.com
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References
Resources
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