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Financial Assistance
We know that the cost of international adoption is a barrier to many families. Therefore, our goal at CCAI is to keep our agency costs as low as possible to make adoption available to as many families as possible. In addition to keeping our costs low, we are happy to support your efforts in fundraising for your adoption. Here are some resources and ideas to help you on your fundraising journey:
Please click HERE for a list of grant organizations our families have succeeded with. Each organization has unique eligibility guidelines, application requirements, deadlines, and documentation requirements. Be sure to research these requirements carefully to make sure you qualify and understand the timelines before applying. Once you apply, the grant organization may ask you to provide documentation about your adoption agency and expected expenses. CCAI is happy to provide this information on your behalf. We will need a signed release form for each organization we share your information with. Please complete the required release and return it to us at the email address listed on the form.
When awarded the grant, CCAI will provide:
If we can be of further assistance, please contact us.
There are many ways to raise money for adoption besides applying for grants or low-interest loans. Here are just a few ideas to get you started:
If you would like to add to our list, please contact us. We would love to hear your ideas! We strongly urge families to carefully research any fundraiser to ensure it is appropriate for their situation.
Many companies offer their employees adoption benefits, ranging from financial assistance to parental leave. Some employers will help with costs by reimbursing adoption expenses with a cash benefit of up to several thousand dollars. Check your employer to see what adoption assistance may be available.
Eligible adoptive families can claim tax credits for their adoption expenses, including necessary adoption fees, court costs, attorney fees, and other related expenses. Currently, qualified families can claim up to $13,400 for adoption expenses. The tax credit phases out for taxpayers with high adjusted gross incomes (above $197,880.00). Adoptive families who plan to claim the credit should file Form 8839, titled Qualified Adoption Expenses, and attach it to Form 1040. For more information and to download the required forms, visit: https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc607.html
Please click https://www.irs.gov/publications/p17/ch38.html to access more information.
Please click https://www.militaryfamily.org/info-resources/adoption/ to access more information.
Please click HERE for a list of grant organizations our families have succeeded with. Each organization has unique eligibility guidelines, application requirements, deadlines, and documentation requirements. Be sure to research these requirements carefully to make sure you qualify and understand the timelines before applying. Once you apply, the grant organization may ask you to provide documentation about your adoption agency and expected expenses. CCAI is happy to provide this information on your behalf. We will need a signed release form for each organization we share your information with. Please complete the required release and return it to us at the email address listed on the form.
When awarded the grant, CCAI will provide:
If we can be of further assistance, please contact us.
There are many ways to raise money for adoption besides applying for grants or low-interest loans. Here are just a few ideas to get you started:
Organizations like Adopt Together and Life Song for Orphans help you set up an online fundraising account to help you raise money through crowdfunding.
Crowdfunding is raising money online for a cause by harnessing the power of social networks to drive awareness and donations worldwide. For more information, visit HERE or HERE.
If you would like to add to our list, please contact us. We would love to hear your ideas! We strongly urge families to carefully research any fundraiser to ensure it is appropriate for their situation.
Many companies offer their employees adoption benefits, ranging from financial assistance to parental leave. Some employers will help with costs by reimbursing adoption expenses with a cash benefit of up to several thousand dollars. Check your employer to see what adoption assistance may be available.
Eligible adoptive families can claim tax credits for their adoption expenses, including necessary adoption fees, court costs, attorney fees, and other related expenses. Currently, qualified families can claim up to $16,810 per child for adoption expenses. For 2025, the tax credit will go up to $17,280 per child. The tax credit phases out for taxpayers with high adjusted gross incomes (above $252,150.00). Adoptive families who plan to claim the credit should file Form 8839, titled Qualified Adoption Expenses, and attach it to Form 1040. For more information and to download the required forms, visit:
https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc607
Please click https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/the-adoption-tax-credit-helps-families-with-adoption-related-expenses to access more information.
Please click http://www.militaryfamily.org/info-resources/adoption.html to access more information.
Typically families can start applying for grants and loans as soon as their home study is complete (some agencies will allow you to begin more shortly, so be sure to check the eligibility guidelines for each grant foundation).
Most granting organizations will request a letter on letterhead from your agency showing what your anticipated adoption expenses are, paid expenses, and what fees are still outstanding. We will need a signed release to complete the grant letter and share your confidential information with the grant foundation. Please allow at least 48 hours for the completion of the letter.
You can download CCAI’s Release of Information form here or request the form via email: application@ccaifamily.org. Once the release has been completed and signed by each adoptive parent, please return it to the email address listed on the document (an original signature is not required).
Due to our Confidentiality policy, we require a Release form for each foundation we share your information with. The release form is also how you tell us where to send the information, which differs for each grant foundation.
We are happy to support you in your grant and fundraising efforts. Still, it is up to the family to carefully research each grant to ensure it is appropriate for their circumstances and apply accordingly. Each granting agency has different timelines, eligibility requirements, and application fees, so we encourage you to research before applying.
Your friends and family can send CCAI money to you and apply it to your adoption expenses; however, they will not receive a tax deduction receipt. This gift goes toward paying for services on your behalf and therefore is considered a payment for adoption services, not a donation. Suppose they want to be able to claim their contribution as a tax deduction. In that case, they must donate through a fundraising entity or another third-party not-for-profit entity such as a church or grant agency such as Life Song for Orphans, The Abba Fund, Reece’s Rainbow, etc. The grant foundation or church will give them a tax-deductible donation receipt and forward the funds to CCAI as a “grant” in your family’s name.
The granting organization will notify CCAI and send the funds to our accounting department. Once the granted funds are received, the accounting department will let you know how the funds are being applied and will continue to track and apply these funds to your fees as they become due.
If allowed by the grant foundation, we will apply the funds to fees already paid by you and refund the excess money after you have completed your adoption.
Yes, there are restrictions. CCAI’s only limitation is that the family pays the post-adoption deposit in full. Because it is a “deposit,” it is not an adoption expense, and the deposit is refunded to you after you have met the post-adoption requirements. Some restrictions, such as funds for travel expenses only or Adoption fees, are put in place by grant foundations.
Therefore, your research at the beginning of your grant and fundraising journey is most important, and we will gladly guide you along the way.
No, the IRS only allows a family to claim services paid for by your family directly for your adoption process. CCAI will provide you with your true cost letter for tax purposes once you have finalized your adoption and returned to the United States with your adoptive child.
GiGi Pleet joined CCAI in 2014 as our China Applications Specialist. She rejoined the team in 2022 after taking a few years off to spend time with her family. GiGi and her husband have adopted three beautiful daughters from China who are the joy and purpose of their lives. GiGi is passionate about adoption and furthering CCAI’s mission to find loving parents and permanent homes for as many children as possible and to continue reaching out to children left behind. When she is not working, you can find her spending time with her girls in the beautiful mountains of Colorado or on an adventure to a new, faraway place.
Joined CCAI: Originally 2014 – 2020, rejoined 2022
Bucket List Item: To see all Seven Wonders of the World
Contact Information
gigi@ccaifamily.org
(303) 850-9998 ext. 300
Emily was adopted through CCAI in 2002! Having always admired the ways that the organization continued to support families even after adoption, she began working at The Park last year because she wanted to be more involved in the adoption community and according to her, “It’s been a blast so far!”
Emily is majoring in environmental science at MSU Denver and hopes to help mitigate the causes and effects of climate change. In her free time, she like to practice guitar, play video games, watch movies, and spend time with her friends and family.
Bucket List: Visit every province in China!
Contact Information
emily@theparkcommunity.org
(303) 221-6688 ext. 170
Ivy has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Production Design for Film and Theater with a minor in Studio Art. She had the opportunity to study abroad in London, England and Florence, Italy. After graduating, while visiting an orphanage in Kathmandu, Nepal she had a moment of realization and knew she wanted to work in the adoption community. After some prior experience in post-adoption and nonprofit management, she came to The Park and is really enjoying focusing on and being involved with offering lifelong support for adoptees and the adoption community.
Ivy was adopted from Kazakhstan at 18-months old and is proud of her adoptee identity and her adoptive family. She is passionate about sharing the stories of the amazing people in the adoption community and helping adoptees celebrate their identities. Her lifelong best friend was adopted from China through CCAI.
In her free time, she enjoys making art (she is working on a series of sculptural paintings of poached animal species), trying new food, catching up with friends, reading, and being with family. She loves to travel whenever possible.
Joined CCAI: 2023
Top Bucket List Items:
Contact Information
ivy@theparkcommunity.org
(303) 221-6688 ext. 205
| Expense | Amount | Pmt Method | Pay To | Due |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | $250 | Check/ACH Withdrawal | CCAI | Application submission |
| Child Abuse Record Search | $35/Family | Check | CO Dept of Human Service | Application submission |
| IAAME Monitoring & Oversight Fee | $500 | Check/ACH Withdrawal | CCAI (Sent to IAAME) | After App Approval |
| First Program Fee (Includes Home Study) | $5,700 | Check/ACH Withdrawal | CCAI | After App Approval |
| CBI/FBI Fingerprint Search | $39.50 per person | Money Order | Colorado Bureau of Investigation | After App Approval |
| USCIS Filing & Fingerprinting | $775 plus $85/adult | Check/Money Order | US Dept. of Homeland Security | Upon I-800A submission |
| Dossier Preparation | Approx. $450-$900 | Check/Money Order | Secretary of State(s), Chinese Consulate(s) | As preparing Dossier |
| Second Program Fee | $5,050 | Check/ACH Withdrawal | CCAI | Dossier Submission |
| CCCWA Fee | $1,270 | Check/ACH Withdrawal | CCCWA via CCAI | Dossier Submission |
| Third Program Fee | $5,500 | Check/ACH Withdrawal | CCAI | Prior to receiving child match acceptance letter |
| CCCWA Post Adoption Translation Fee | $300 | Check/ACH Withdrawal | CCCWA via CCAI | Prior to receiving child match acceptance letter |
| Court Validation Deposit | $200 | Check | CCAI | Prior to receiving child match acceptance letter |
| Post Adoption Deposit (Refundable) | $450 | Check/ACH Withdrawal | CCAI | Prior to receiving child match acceptance letter |
| Visa to enter China | $140 (plus courier fee) | Check/Credit Card | Chinese Consulate via a courier/travel agency | Approximately one month before travel to China |
| US Domestic & International Airfare | $1,000 – $2,000 per traveler (adopted child over 2 requires full ticket) | Credit Card | A travel agency/airline of your choice | Approximately 7-10 days prior to China departure |
| In China Travel & Accommodations | Approx. $4,000-$4,400 for two adults | ACH Withdrawal | CCAI (wired to China) | Approximately 7-10 days prior to China departure |
| Adoption Registration and Notarization | $800 – $1,000 | Cash | Local government in China | In China |
| Orphanage Donation | (Voluntary) | Cash or Wire | Orphanage | In China |
| Child’s Passport | $100-$150 | Cash | Local passport agency | In China |
| Food | $700 – $800 per couple | Cash/Credit Card | Hotel(s), restaurant(s) | In China |
| Child Physical & Photo | $130-$150 | Cash | Clinic | In Guangzhou, China |
| Child U.S. Entry Visa | $325 | Cash or Check | U.S. Consulate | In China |
| Court Validation Fee | $167 | Check | County Court | After U.S. Return |
| Child’s Colorado Birth Certificate | $37.75 | Check | Colorado Vital Statistics Office | After U.S. Return |
| Lutheran Family Services | $250 | Check | Lutheran Family Services via CCAI | When Home Study is approved by CCAI |
