Getting Started

We understand that international adoption is not inexpensive. Our fees are determined based on domestic and overseas expenses, and include certain unavoidable costs such as rent, utilities, telephones, printing, supplies and postage, as well as compensation for our staff. Our fees must cover all operating expenses and provide sufficient reserve to cover months without placements or expenses incurred in connection with children who are ultimately not placed for adoption with our clients. We must also budget for travel expenses to foreign countries to begin new programs or iron out wrinkles in existing ones, as well as for foreign adoption officials to come to the United States to check on the adjustment of their children. Finally, it is important that our fees generate enough income to allow us to assist foreign orphanages with necessities such as food, clothing, medicine, and educational equipment for the many children who wait for families.

The following financing ideas may be helpful for your family:

Helpusadopt.org
Helpusadopt.org is a financial assistance grant program that will provide qualified couples and individuals with grants of up to $15,000 towards their adoption expenses. Grants are awarded twice a year, in June and December. Applicants must have a completed home study prior to applying for the grant. Applicants must be not be pursuing fertility treatments simultaneously with adoption plans, and must demonstrate that while you can provide a stable environment for a child, you are facing significant financial obstacles and need financial assistance with your adoption expenses. Priority will be given to couples/individuals without children. For more information, contact: Helpusadopt.org at P.O. Box 20435 New York, NY 10021 or by phone 917-684-5484 or email at info@helpusadopt.org

One World Adoption Fund
The One World Adoption Fund (OWAF) is a non-profit organization that offers financial assistance to U.S. families who could not otherwise afford the cost of an international adoption. Preference is given to two parent families looking to adopt more than one child, special needs children, and children older than five. More information is available at www.owaf.org

Gift of Adoption Fund
The Gift of Adoption Fund awards grants to qualified U.S. citizens who have a completed homestudy. Applicants are evaluated bases on their financial need. Average grants awarded range between $2000 and $5,000. Applicants must pay a one time $20 application fee. www.giftofadoption.org

China Care
China Care provides grants to American families who are adopting special needs or older children from mainland China. The size of grant is based on family finances and need. Grants usually fall between $1,000 and $4,000. www.chinacare.org

Shaohannah’s Hope
Shaohannah’s Hope awards grants to families in the process of adopting a child domestically or internationally. The size of each grant is determined by the need of the applicants and funds currently available at the foundation. In recent years the average grant awarded was $4,000. Shaohannah’s Hope is not accepting any new applicants at this time, but may in the future. www.shaohannahshope.org

Bright Futures
Bright Futures offers grants. There is a $10 application fee. www.brightfuturesfoundation.net

A Child Waits Foundation
A Child Waits Foundation offers low interest loans up to $10,000 as a last resort for families who have exhausted other financial aid options. Their current rate of interest is 5 percent for a loan of no more than five years. www.achildwaits.org

Subsidies for Military Families
The U.S. Armed Forces offer up to $2,000 in financial assistance to active members of the military who are adopting a child. http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/f_milita.cfm

Adoption Tax Credit
A federal income tax credit up to $10,000 is allowable over the five years after an adoption is completed for families who meet income guidelines. For detailed information, order Publication 968 from the IRS at 1-800-829-3676 or download it at http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc607.html

Donations from Churches and Community Groups
Some families have received financial help towards their adoption expenses from their church and other civic organizations in their local area.

Cradle of Hope Special Needs Fund
A source of grants for families adopting special needs children from Russia.

Sergey's Fund
Through the generosity of Cradle of Hope supporters, we are able to offer a limited number of $2,500 to $5,000 grants to moderate income families adopting Russian boys between 2 years and 5 years of age.

National Endowment for Financial Education
Publishes a comprehensive booklet, "How to Make Adoption an Affordable Option" can be downloaded from the Internet at http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/children/adoption/index.html.

God's Grace Adoption Ministries
Gives grants to Christian two-parent families with incomes under $60,000. www.ggam.org

Cradle of Hope has established a Network Program with adoption agencies across the United States. Our Network Agencies provide families with homestudy and post-placement services, detailed information regarding Cradle of Hope's international programs, and assistance with preparation of the documents and CIS process required for international adoptions. They can also provide counseling, education and support throughout the adoption process. Cradle of Hope staff begins work with each network family once a child referral has been accepted. Network programs work well for families who want to adopt through one of our international programs but would also like to have face to face contact with and direct service from a social worker and/or case coordinator in their local area. Cradle's Network families receive a $1,000 fee reduction in any program.

If you would like more information about our Network Program, please feel free to contact one of the following Network Agencies in your area or the Cradle of Hope office.

CO	*Adoption Homestudy & Training Agency* 4685 West Princeton Ave. Denver, CO 80236 303-798-5250 303-794-8803 (fax) Contact: Marj Bluder	NJ	*Jewish Family Service of MetroWest* 256 Columbia Turnpike, Ste. 105 Florham Park, NJ 07932 973-765-9050 973-765-0195 (fax) Contact: Sheila Muster *Catholic Charities* 115 West Pearl Street Burlington, NJ 08016 609-386-6221 609-386-6993 (fax) Contact: Nancy Morrell *Jewish Family and Children's Services* *(serving* *South Jersey*) 2100 Arch Street Philadelphia, PA 19116 215-673-0100 Contact: Lisa Walters
CT	*Jewish Family Services* 1440 Whalley Avenue New Haven, CT 06515 203-389-5599 203-389-5904 (fax) Contact: Amy Rashba (x113) Lina Lawall (x105) *Jewish Family Services* 1 Holly Hill Road Greenwich, CT 06830 203-622-1881 Contact: Steve Baranowski	NY	*Jewish Family Services of Rochester* 441 East Avenue Rochester, NY 14607 585-461-0110 ext. 120 585-461-9658 (fax) Contact: Shula Meyerowitz *Spence-Chapin Services to Family and Children* 410 East 92nd Street New York, NY 10128 212-369-0300 212-722-0675 (fax) Contact: Becky Braun Louise Schnaier *Catholic Guardian Society* 1011 First Ave. New York, NY 10022 212-371-1000 ext. 2117 Contact: Kathleen Dooley-Polcha
IL	*St. Mary's Services* 717 West Kirchoft Road Arlington Heights, IL 60005 847-870-8181 847-870-8325 (fax) Contact: Lisa Bende or Jamie Hammer *Catholic Charities of Chicago* 651 West Lake Street Chicago, IL 60661 312-655-7087 312-382-1612 (fax) Contact: Kathy Herrara 671 S. Lewis Ave. Waukegan, IL 60085 847-782-4222 Contact: Daiva Piscikaite 1717 Rand Road Des Plaines, IL 60016 847-376-2124 Contact: Connie Shapiro *Children's Home & Aid Society* 910 2nd Avenue Rockford, IL 61104 (815) 962-1043 (815) 962-1272 (fax) Contact: Peggy Franklin	PA	*Catholic Charities of Harrisburg* 806-C South 29th Street Harrisburg, PA 17111 717-564-7115 x229 717-564-7180 (fax) Contact: Gwen Pfeifer *Common Sense Adoption Services* 5021 E. Trindle Road, Suite 300 Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 717-766-6449 or 1-800-445-2444 717-766-8015 (fax) Contact: Lori Teeter or Sharon Tannehill *OpenArms Adoption Network, a program of JFCS of Greater Philadelphia* 10125 Verree Road, Suite 200 Philadelphia, PA 19116 215-673-0100 x139 Contact: Lisa Walters *Sanctuary House* 1497 Simpson Ferry Road New Cumberland, PA 17070 717-433-5812 Contact person: Sandi Bornman *Franklin Family Services* 131 E. McKinley Street Chambersburg, PA 17201 717-263-8504 Contact person: Kaye Ringer
IN	*St. Elizabeth's Home* 2500 Churchman Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46203 (800) 499-9113 (317) 787-0482 (fax) Contact: Renee Hummell	VA	*Jewish Family Services* 6718 Paterson Avenue Richmond, VA 23226 (804) 282-5644 x23 (804) 285-0006 (fax) Contact: Jessica Carty
MA	*The Home for Little Wanderers* 271 Huntington Avenue Boston, MA 02115 617-267-3700 617-267-8142 (fax) Contact: Paula Wisnewski *Child & Family Services* 800 Purchase Street New Bedford, MA 02740 508-990-0894 508-990-0298 (fax) Contact: Melissa Caron or Kelly Foxx *Jewish Family Services of Greater Springfield* 15 Lenox Street Springfield, MA 01108 413-737-2601 413-737-0323 (fax) Contact: Susan Phillips	WV	*Burlington United Methodist Family Services* Route 3, Box 346-A Grafton, WV 26354 304-265-1338 304-265-1575 (fax) Contact: Sandra Ganier RR 3, Box 3122 Keyser, WV 26726 304-788-2342 P.O. Box 370 Scott Depot, WV 25560 304-757-9127 304-757-9136 (fax) Contact: Donna McCune or Jennifer Brown

All families adopting internationally will need a homestudy through a licensed adoption agency or social worker in their state of residence. To find agencies that have worked with Cradle of Hope families and are generally familiar with our programs click here.