Guest Blog by Melissa Hudson
Adoption is personal to me; it’s always been a part of my life. My dad, as well as some other family members, was adopted. It was my privilege to be there when my dad met his birth family for the first time. God knew I would need this experience later in life when it came time for me to be a parent. My husband and I “planned” to get pregnant right after we got married. Five years later, it still hadn’t happened yet. Three years after starting the adoption process, we were waiting outside the hospital room door to hear our baby boy’s first cry. I hope this blog inspires you and gives you hope.
As an adoptive mother, I know first hand how overwhelming the adoption process can be. As if the long wait for your child isn’t hard enough, you have to figure out how to pay for your adoption in time for your child to arrive. My husband and I successfully raised around half of our adoption costs through grants, loans, and personal fundraising. Based on our experience, here are my 5 tips to help you successfully fundraise for your adoption.
1. Share your story
The first thing my husband and I did was we told EVERYONE we were adopting. Don’t keep it a secret. Be open and share your heart. The more open you are with people, the more they will feel involved in your adoption process. Social media can be a great tool for this. Create a page or storyline on your favorite social media platform. Post pictures of you and your family. Let everyone know why you are adopting and that you will be an excellent parent.
2. Set small goals
Your total adoption costs can be a large number. Don’t let that overwhelm you. Set small reachable goals. Write out what your total adoption fund goal is, what that amount will cover, and your timeline to accomplish that goal. For example, $8,000 for home study and infant program fees, due in 6 months. After you reach your goal, cross it off your list. Celebrate and then move on to your next goal!
3. Grants & Loans
It’s hard to know exactly what to include when requesting a grant or an adoption loan. My advice is to be yourself and let the donors into your story. Be open and transparent. I know how difficult it can be to open up to people. Especially when it comes to things you can’t even say out loud to yourself...“I struggle with infertility.” Being vulnerable and open will give you the best chance to connect with people you're likely never going to meet, but who truly want to help.
4. Plan an event
After you’ve shared your adoption story with everyone, they will want to help and be involved. Give them that opportunity by hosting a fundraiser event. Make it personal and fun! My husband and I love playing games so we hosted a poker tournament. Friends and family donated decorations, snacks, and prizes. We set our suggested donation at $20, something we knew everyone could afford. Most people gave more.
5. Don’t be discouraged if your fundraising isn’t a success
If you’ve done steps one through four, but haven’t experienced the success you thought you would, don’t be discouraged. You’ve put yourself out there. You’ve involved everyone in your adoption process and made it personal to them. My husband and I received more money as gifts from people who knew we were raising funds than we did from any of our fundraisers.
