Some of the biggest concerns many families have about adopting are:

•  How much will it cost?
•  Where am I going to get the needed money?

The actual cost will depend upon a number of factors, some of which are:

•  Your agency fees
•  The country you adopt from
•  If required, the travel costs
•  The number of documents you need to prepare

There are many options you have for obtaining money, including:

•  Federal $10,600 adoption tax credit (for tax year 2005), in addition to child tax credit.  (For international adoption, you can only claim this after the adoption is finalized.  So you need to pay the money and then get reimbursed later.)
•  Some states allows tax credits and/or give grants
•  Some employers have adoption assistance programs
•  Some organizations give grants
•  Some churches have had fundraisers to assist their members
•  Have a yard or garage sale
•  Have your own fundraiser(s)
•  Raid you savings account
•  Borrow money

Some of the organizations that provide grants or financial information are:

•  A Child Wait Foundation
•  A Child's Desire
•  Abba Fund
•  Child Adoption Funds
•  Financial Assistance Resource
•  Sea of Faces Foundation

Some adoption agencies have their own programs where your friends and relatives can make tax deductible contributions in your name to assist with your funding.  You will need to check with your agency.