Not everyone is comfortable with fundraising for their adoption. Before you make a decision on whether it’s right for you, here are some pros and cons. Thanks to all my Facebook friends who weighed in on the issue. If you have additional thoughts, leave a comment. I’d love to hear them.
PROS
Raises awareness – Welcoming other people into your adoption journey allows you to share your heart for adoption and your heart for the orphan. Many people are unaware of the orphan crisis and the need for loving solutions for U.S. Birth moms who want to choose life for their child. Even if they never give, you never know how far this influence will reach. You may find one of these families later adopting themselves.
Allows others to be obedient – Remember that scripture about caring for the orphan and widow? If adoption isn’t for everyone, what is one other way they can do that? Financially supporting your adoption gives your friends and family the opportunity to carry out God’s call to care for the orphan.
Teaches humility – Nobody likes asking for help, especially financial help. But what if you didn’t look at it as asking your friends? Because really you’re asking God to provide for your adoption. And it is God that supplies all our needs (Philippians 4:19), but sometimes he uses others to do it. How will they help if they don’t know the need?
Makes adoption possible – Quite frankly many people would never be able to adopt without fundraising. Even if they take out loans, those are limited, grants are limited and many of the biggest adoption advocates are those already pouring out their financial gifts on others or working in ministry. Without fundraising many adoptions would simply not happen.
CONS
Hard work – Fundraising is hard work – whether it’s the manual labor of sorting donations and preparing for a garage sale, or the perseverance to blog, Facebook and tweet about your efforts. Hopefully you have a village of people that want to help you.
The questions – You’re going to get a lot of questions and, quite frankly, a few insensitive comments. Friends might ask “Why does a kid cost so much?” It’s a good time for you to use some positive adoption language as well as educate them on why adoption is expensive. Explain about agency fees and paperwork and travel. Be open and honest.
Accountability – If adoption donations are coming straight to you, versus to a grant organization, you need to be faithful about making sure that money ONLY goes toward adoption expenses. Not, “we’re going to have another kid” expenses like a bigger car, nursery decor and clothes, but agency fees, paperwork costs, etc.
Scrutiny – If you’re going to be asking for money you are opening yourself up to scrutiny. You may not want to send out a fundraising letter and then leave on a 10 day cruise two weeks later. This is especially hard in this digital age where we tend to spew our every move via Twitter and Facebook. What if that cruise is a work perk that isn’t costing you a cent? What a blessing – just be sure to mention that when you post all the touristy pictures. Also, let people what you’re doing to help pay for the adoption – things like trimming your budget or taking on second jobs.
Backlash – Be prepared for the “If you can’t afford it then you shouldn’t be doing it?” comments. Who they come from may even surprise and hurt you. Respond lovingly and let them know you would never want them to feel obligated to give.