5 places to give towards adoptions for #GivingTuesday

This blog post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Now that we’ve stuffed ourselves with turkey and pumpkin pie and are worn out from the shopping frenzy from this weekend, it’s time for Giving Tuesday. A day dedicated to giving, in any way you can, worldwide. There are so many great ways to do that, like donating to your local food bank, an arts organization or volunteering for your favorite charity. I thought I’d take a little time to talk about something that’s obviously very near and dear to my heart lately – adoption. I’ve put together a short list of five different places you can put your money and resources today that benefit adoptions. If adoption is something important to you as well, consider checking some of these out.

1. Adoption funds – I know, I know. It’s a shameless plug for our family. But when talking about giving, I couldn’t leave our own adoption out of the picture. Chances are that you know at least one family (not including mine) currently in the adoption process. Did you know that domestic infant adoptions can cost upwards of $35,000-40,000 . International adoptions can cost $10,000-15,000 more than that? Foster-to-adopt situations are much less expensive. However, there are still extra costs associated that aren’t covered by the foster care system. In addition to giving to someone monetarily, consider asking if they have any tangible needs like diapers, formula, travel expenses or items for the nursery. If you would like to donate directly to our adoption, you can do that here.
2. The Dave Thomas Foundation – The Dave Thomas Foundation is located in Columbus, Ohio, and helps find forever homes for kids in foster care. More than 100,000 children are currently waiting in foster care. This foundation awards grants to adoption organizations, raises awareness about children waiting to be adopted and the foster-to-adopt process, and offers resources to professionals and adoptive parents.
3. Show Hope – Show Hope , founded by Steven Curtis and Marybeth Chapman, helps children in four areas: adoption aid, care centers, pre and post adoption support, and student initiatives. One of the things I love about Show Hope is that they focus on children all over the world.
4. Adoption agencies – Many adoption agencies do more than just finalize adoptions. Expectant parents can receive counseling services, assistance finding housing or work, and other resources. Our agency, Choice Network, offers tangible and emotional support to expectant parents whether or not they choose to make an adoption plan. Contact an adoption agency near you to find out what items the might need donated, like clothing or diapers.
5. Sponsor a child – This isn’t adoption in the traditional sense, but it’s an interesting (and worthwhile) alternative. Child sponsorship through Compassion International or a similar organization provides food and clean water, education and health care to the child. But you’re not just sending money to an organization and leaving it at that. You’re able to exchange photos, letters and gifts with your sponsored child. You get to know that child as they grow and in many ways, they become part of your family. There might even be an opportunity to visit your sponsored child in their own community.

Please consider taking the time today to give to someone or something. Even if it has nothing to do with adoptions. Don’t let the busyness of this holiday season keep you from putting some good back in the world.