If you’re like any of the thousands of Americans considering adoption, there’s a possibility that the associated costs are weighing on your mind. Let it be known – you are not alone. So what exactly can be done to qualm these financial fears? Look no further than these ideas for creative and fun ways to raise money along your adoption journey. These simple fundraisers are the perfect way to focus MORE on your future family and LESS on the fees.
T-Shirt Fundraiser
T-Shirt fundraisers are ALL the rage today, and with good reason. They’re simple to design, easy to sell and let’s get real – who doesn’t love a good t-shirt? Web designers like Custom Ink and Bonfire Funds offer tools to get this fundraiser off the ground.
Yard Sale
Are you tired of staring at your old clothes from high school? Do you desperately want to get rid of your spouse’s Star Wars collection? With a yard sale, you can have your cake AND eat it too. You’ll get immense satisfaction from knowing that you’re purging those unwanted belongings, while also raising money in the process.
Dine & Donate
Many restaurants, especially local small businesses, are dedicated to helping out the community in any way that they can. Reach out to your favorite eateries and see what they can do for you! Food chains are often interested in these types of events as well. Information regarding chains and their dine and donate offerings can be found here.
Charity 5K or Marathon
Team up with a local adoption agency and see if they host a 5K event throughout the year. Sign up for the 5K and then ask that friends and family sponsor you for each mile that you complete. Want to up the ante? If you’re a runner by nature, participate in a marathon or half marathon and, again, ask for those sponsors from your inner circle. Bonus: ask friends and family members to run with you and also seek out their own sponsors. The dollars can add up quickly!
Online Fundraising
Online fundraising tools such as GoFundMe allow individuals all around the world to raise funds for the things that mean the most to them. Personalize your website with photos and information about your family and watch the donations as they arrive. 1 in 6 families are touched by adoption – use this statistic to your advantage and SHARE, SHARE, SHARE.
Affording adoption can seem impossible, but with tricks like these (and a multitude of others), the fundraising process can be a fun and seamless one. For more fundraising ideas, visit the following blogs: No Hands But Ours, Walking by the Way, and Highlights Along the Way. Further financial resources can also be found by visiting these sites to learn more about the adoption tax credit, as well as Julie Gumm’s best-selling book “Adopt Without Debt.”
