Bringing a child into a loving home is one of the most incredible gifts a family can offer. But long before parents bring a child home in an adoption, most have to also resolve the issue of how to pay for it. Adoption costs are steep, and depending on the route (i.e., domestic, international), it can be $20,000, $30,000, or over $50,000. One of our favorite shoe drive fundraising partners, Chris and Natalie LeMay, know this well and have overcome it.
When Chris and Natalie were considering adoption, they also had to grapple with how to raise money for adoption. Still, despite the costs and the reality that they had four children, Charlie, Scotty, Morgan, and Shelby, they knew they wanted to provide a loving home for another child in need. The journey for the family and their adoption wasn’t a straight line, especially as the world closed down during the pandemic. This article will explore the LeMay adoption and shoe drive fundraiser and other quick fundraising solutions to raise money for adoption.
Why Families Need to Raise Money for Adoption
Before we move to the LeMay story, let’s discuss the dollars-and-cents reality of an adoption. As you consider the child’s gender, location, and age range, you also have to consider the costs. Generally, adoptions cost between $30,000 and $50,000 on average, which is why many families have to consider adoption fundraising. However, if you do foster care and adopt through that process, you may significantly lower the adoption fees. Regardless, depending on the type of adoption, you will have to incur fees and costs concerning:
- Home study
- Legal paperwork
- Potential travel
- And potentially support of a birth parent
Some of the costs you may be able to lower. For instance, you may choose to do a domestic adoption or to adopt via the foster care system. Still, some costs will occur regardless of which path you choose. A home study is required and can range from $1,000 to over $4,000. If there are any revisions, it gets more expensive, and of course, there are always legal filings. In short, the adoption process is both an emotional and a financial decision, which often requires adoption fundraising.
The LeMay Family’s Long Road to Daniel
Chris and Natalie didn’t set out to go through the adoption process in three countries. However, in this case, timing was everything. They started the process in 2020 with Small World Adoption, which partnered with them to bring home a little boy from China. However, that was the year of the pandemic and the world shut down—literally. So, while they advocated and tried to figure out ways to bring home the little boy they so wanted to bring home from China, that country never opened its adoption program to internationals once the pandemic began.
As a result, the LeMays decided to pivot and continue their search through disappointment. They then looked at adopting a child from Liberia. They found a little boy they named Daniel, who was waiting for adoption. The team at Funds2Orgs got to know the LeMays through their adoption fundraising efforts, which included a shoe drive fundraiser. And we’re happy to report that today, Daniel has a loving home in the U.S. with the LeMays, has found love with them, and has already experienced holidays and birthdays with his new family.
How to Raise Money for Adoption with a Shoe Drive Fundraiser and Other Fundraisers
Chris and Natalie LeMay had to close the financial gap, and one approach they chose to raise money for adoption was a shoe drive fundraiser. Funds2Orgs is very happy to include many adoptive families in the more than 12 years we’ve been doing fundraisers with over 25,000 partners. As they discovered, a shoe drive fundraiser is exceedingly simple. All your adoptive family does is collect gently worn, used and new shoes. There’s no selling or asking for money. All you do is ask for shoes, and Funds2Orgs issues payment.
Here’s how it works:
- You get information or schedule a chat with one of our dedicated coaches.
- Determine your adoption fundraiser goal.
- When you sign up, you get everything you need, including the marketing materials.
- Start collecting shoes from everyone you know. Since it’s not a financial ask or a request to buy something, people will be happy to provide the shoes they don’t use.
- Once your adoption fundraiser ends, the Fund2Orgs logistics team will pick up the shoes from your storage location.
For the LeMays and our other adoptive family partners, a shoe drive fundraiser becomes more than an adoption fundraiser. Every person who contributes to your adoption fundraiser supports your adoption—and becomes part of the adoption story. As you collect shoes, you have an opportunity to share your story with your extended family, neighbors, coworkers, and broader community. In return, every pair of shoes contributed is each person supporting your family’s story and journey.
Other Ways to Raise Funds for Adoption
Many families combine different strategies to raise money for adoption. For instance, you may look into federal adoption tax credits that exceed $16,000, and some states also offer credits worth $2,500 and up to $20,000. A shoe drive fundraiser is an excellent way to raise money for adoption. You can also pair this fundraiser with others, which you can find in our adoption fundraiser ideas guide. Some of those fundraisers that can be paired together or separately include:
- Virtual auction
- Bingo night
- Garage sale
- Cookout
- Car wash
Take a look at the guide for ideas you can use to raise money for adoption. Remember that every little bit helps!
Tips for Making the Most of an Adoption Fundraiser
Adoption fundraising takes a little planning to raise the most funds. So, as you plan your fundraiser, make it a point to keep these tips in mind:
- Start early once you decide to adopt a child.
- Be specific about the funds you want to raise per fundraiser and overall.
- Share your family’s story in your community and more broadly to motivate people to want to participate in your adoption fundraiser.
- Multiple adoption fundraisers provide your community with different ways to support you. This includes sharing your social media updates to encourage more giving.
- Post updates as you go through each fundraiser and the broader journey to keep your community engaged.
The team at Funds2Orgs remembers the LeMays fondly because they’ve been so open in sharing their story, and that’s exactly what every adoption fundraiser should do. In short, you want your community to be a part of your journey.
Adoption Is Expensive, But It’s Not Out of Reach
In sum, adoption costs are real, and as a result, it can be an obstacle. However, once you decide to adopt and raise money for adoption, know this: Chris and Natalie LeMay proved it can be done. They weathered the pandemic, the closing of international adoptions by China, and then having to turn to another country to finally bring home their son, Daniel. Between tax credits, savings, and creative fundraising solutions, your family can also prove that all of the peaks and valleys are well worth it.
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