Before I jump into my opinion on the topic of Adoption Fundraising you need to know one thing.
I am not against it……
But I don’t see it as a viable solution to affording adoption and I get physically upset when others get excited about sharing these “great ideas” with those who are struggling to afford adoption….
It’s as though they found the secret miracle everyone is looking for…..
But in my opinion, they’ve found nothing.
I understand and know first hand what adoptive parents have to do to afford adoption…..
I’ve done it twice.
And as founder, and executive director of Helpusadopt.org (www.helpusadopt.org) a national 501c3 financial grant program for adoption, I read over 800 applications a year from people across our country who are in need of financial help to complete their adoption.
They all have full time jobs.
In some cases more than one.
And they are doing everything possible to come up with the funds necessary to complete the process.
They are frustrated.
And they are worried.
And they are wondering, in some cases, what the miracle will be that gets them to the finish line.
In many cases they have tried these fundraising avenues full of hope, and when they are met with another failure (because their high expectations for success are left unmet)….they they are faced with the harsh reality that affording adoption is easier said than done.
They don’t want someone to tell them to “sell pizza slices at the park”.
They don’t want someone to tell them to “ask your neighbors if you can clean their house or garage.”
They don’t want to “sell candy bars outside the grocery store.”
Try as I may to understand the enthusiastic approach these “lists” take, I find them disrespectful and insulting to potential adoptive parents.
Would you want to do these things to become a parent? And please think twice before you tell me that a) you would do it and that b) you could raise $30,000 while working full time.
I do work full time as a fundraiser for adoption and let me tell you this—it’s not easy—it is a very humbling experience to ask people you know for their money.
If I were able to raise $30,000+ easily, Helpusadopt.org would be giving away a lot more grants and people wouldn’t have to consider selling pizza slices on the corner.
I have a strong opinion about these Adoption Fundraiser Idea books, blogs, radio shows, lists and I can’t hide it.
I have an even stronger option to the books, blogs, lists that boast “Adoption Fundraising Made Easy” or “Affording Adoption is Easy if you know how”
Because it is not easy.
Not easy at all when you are facing costs of $30,000 – $50,000+ to adopt a child.
While these fundraising ideas might raise a few hundred dollars they are by no means a solution to easily affording adoption.
My favorite (and I use this term with a lot of sarcasm) in a list of Adoption Fundraising Suggestions that I recently read was to “sell lemonade”. The author referenced her 11 year old son’s recent stand that raised $275.
He was 11.
He raised $275.
His opportunity for fatherhood did not rest in the success of his stand.
I don’t believe you’ve heard the last from me on this topic.
But for now…..
Enough said.
Love much,
xob
www.helpusadopt.org