Month: August 2019

How do I afford to adopt a child?

Welcoming a new child into your home is an invaluable experience⁠—an often costly one too.

In fact, Adoptive Families Magazine estimates that the cost of a U.S. newborn adoption in 2016-17 was $40,000-$45,000.

Check out the domestic newborn adoption breakdown below!

• Home Study Fee: $1,500-2,500
• Documentation Preparation & Authentication: $1,000
• Adoption Agency Application & Program Fees: $5,000-$20,000
• Adoption Consultant Fees: $1,000-$3,000
• Attorney Fees: $4,200 – $15,000
• Advertising & Networking: $500-$2,500
• Birth Family Counseling: $500-$1,000
• Birth Mother Expenses: $3,000-$5,000
• Foster Care: $100-$400
• Travel Expenses: $1,000 – $3,000
• Post-Placement Expenses: $500-$2,000
• Miscellaneous Expenses: $1,000 – $3,000

Adoption fundraising sites are cost-effective solutions to raising money for an adoption. In most cases, you can reach a wide audience of individuals through social networks, blogs, and more.  In addition, donations are submitted online in one easy process!

Keep reading to find out about the best fundraising adoption sites to raise money for your upcoming adoption!

Best Adoption Fundraising Sites

The saying goes, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Needless to say, this also applies to adoption fundraising. With this in mind, gather your friends and family to support your cause.

AdoptTogether

AdoptTogether is the world’s largest adoption specific crowdfunding platform. The mission of AdoptTogether is to create a family for every child! In six years, the nonprofit has helped more than 4,000 families raise $13 million. With this in mind, it is safe to say that AdoptTogether is well on its way to providing children in need a loving adoptive family.

Services fees: Free to sign up, 5% transaction fee

Learn more: adopttogether.org

GoFundMe

GoFundMe is a popular free fundraising platform. Since it was founded, GoFundMe has raised more than $50 billion for 5o million individuals to champion change and spread compassion. With this in mind, GoFundMe has empowered individuals, teams, and families to pursue opportunities that would not be available otherwise—and you can too!

Service fee: Free to sign up, 2.9% + $0.30 processing fee per donation

Learn More: gofundme.com

Plumfund

Start your adoption fund with Plumfund! Plumfund is a top-rated crowdfunding website that has raised more than $48 million since 2006. The platform is known for its easy-to-use interface. Friends and families can view your Plumfund profile on social media with user-friendly applications to integrate Plumdund with your personal social accounts.

Service fees: Free to sign up, 2.8% + $0.30 processing fee per donation

Learn more: plumfund.com

Fundly

Crowdfunding site Fundly’s mission is to share the unlimited possibilities achievable by anyone. Fundly is widely regarded for its’ mobile and social media integrations. For example, Fundly’s Facebook OpenGraph integration automatically broadcasts campaign activity. In addition, you can manage your account from anywhere with the Fundly smartphone app.

Service fee: Free to sign up, 3% processing fee per donation, 4.9% service fee per donation

Learn more: fundly.com

Deposit A Gift

Deposit A Gift is a hassle-free crowdfunding and cash gift registry platform. Founded in 2010, Deposit A Gift has helped thousands of users reach their fundraising goals with tools made available through the platform’s interactive services.

Service fee: Free option to sign up, processing and service charges vary by plan selected

Learn more: depositagift.com

Get Started!

Don’t let low funds discourage your dream to adopt a deserving child! Start crowdfunding with an adoption fundraising site.

In the meanwhile, start the adoption process with Texas Adoption Center.

Texas Adoption Center understands that adoption is a personal experience. Every step of the adoption process is about the baby, birth parents, and the adoptive family. That is why the adoption center provides the most comprehensive services—including matching and placement—to ensure a smooth process.

Learn more about Texas Adoption Center and contact an adoption specialist at  844.893.7943!

I placed my baby for adoption. Now what?

As many birth mothers may find, rebounding after an adoption can be difficult.

A common choice for birth mothers is to pursue an education to improve their current situation. In most cases, birth parents see this opportunity as a second chance to redeem themselves.

No matter which category you fall in pursuing higher education is extremely beneficial. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported in 2018 that the median weekly earnings of a high school graduate aged 25 and older are $730. In contrast, individuals aged 25 and older earned about $1,198.

Additionally, the employment rate for high school educated individuals was 4.8%. Conversely, the unemployment rate for degree holders was 2.2%.

Overall, the benefits of pursuing higher education are apparent. Degree holders have a higher weekly income and are more likely to be employed. Nevertheless, there is a common barrier that stands in the way of many birth mothers and higher education.

Tuition costs.

The average in-state tuition and fees for public universities have increased by nearly 243 percent in the previous 20 years!

This number can be discouraging; however, there is a wealth of resources for birth mother returning to the classroom. Namely, birth mother scholarships!

Read more about birth mother scholarships and find a few scholarship funds dedicated to birth mothers below.

Birth Mother Scholarships

Birth mother scholarships are a unique opportunity for women who’ve previously placed their child for adoption. To emphasize, several scholarship opportunities help birth mothers pay for tuition. Find a few scholarships below to set you on your way!

Adoptions From The Heart

The Adoptions From The Heart scholarship is a gratuitous scholarship to help birth parents establish a career. Twice a year, the scholarship committee chooses recipients for the fall and spring semesters. Uniquely, this scholarship is also available to those attending a trade school.

Scholarship Eligibility:

• Should have placed a child for adoption in or after 1985
• Must have been accepted to a college or trade school
• Must show financial need
• Obligated to write an essay regarding the adoption story

Lifetime Adoption Foundation

The Lifetime Adoption Foundation proudly presents deserving applicants with scholarships for higher-education endeavors. The Foundation recognizes that adoption can be hard; however, honor birth parents who have enabled others to experience the joy of parenthood.

Scholarship Eligibility:

• Must apply for the scholarship
• Needs to show proof of part-time or full-time enrollment
• Must be drug-free
• Must have a current C average or higher
• Should be a birth mother that placed a child for adoption after 1990
• Must write a 400-word essay

The Adoption Network Law Center Scholarship Program

Each year, the Adoption Network Law Center awards up to $10,000 in scholarships to birth parents and adoptees. The scholarship is awarded in November to recognize National Adoption Month. The Law Center started this noble tradition to give back to the adoption community and to support those who are interested in higher education.

Scholarship Eligibility:

• Must be a birth parent or an adopted child
• Needs to be accepted or currently enrolled in college, university, vocational, technical or trade school
• Must submit a video demonstrating or explaining how adoption has made an impact on your life

Fred M. Riley Birth Parent Scholarship Fund

The Fred. M. Riley Birth Parent Scholarship Fund provides financial support for birth parents who lovingly chose adoption. In retrospect, Fred M. Riley, the fund’s namesake,  dedicated his life to promoting the prevention of child abuse and neglect. Also, he was a great advocate for adoption and teen pregnancy prevention programs.

Scholarship Eligibility:

• Must submit a class schedule
•  Obligated to submit an acceptance letter from an educational institution or trade school
• Must be drug-free
• Needs to have a current C GPA or higher
• Must include a tuition invoice for the upcoming semester
• Must submit a 400-word essay describing future goals

Find Professional Support

For birth mothers and pregnant women seeking adoption, pursuing an education can seem overwhelming! However, with the right support by your side, anything is possible.

Texas Adoption Center is just the right support system! Texas Adoption Center adoption specialist are knowledgeable experts in the adoption industry.

In addition, Texas Adoption Center provides a plethora of services including emotional and financial support, housing and transportation assistance, and medical care. With this in mind, you can proceed with your adoption and education without worrying about these setbacks.

For more information about Texas Adoption Center’s services or to schedule a confidential meeting with an adoption specialist, call 512.893.7943 or text 361.461.3742.