Process Overview - "Say Yes" Adoption Grants

As of January 2023, we've given grants to over 90 deserving families in the U.S.! Our primary goal is for children with special needs to be adopted into traditional, two-parent Christian families; however we do give consideration to other families as well on an individual basis. We also offer a special "Downright Lovable" grant for families adopting children with Down syndrome and a "Heart Warrior" grant for families adopting children who have heart defects.

In an effort to equip our special needs grant families in additional ways, we offer the gift of a strategic prayer partner, a copy of "The Connected Parent" by Lisa Qualls and Dr. Karyn Purvis, and quarterly trauma-informed trainings through trained practitioners.

We determine what financial assistance will be offered based on the following criteria:

1. Leading of the Holy Spirit as the selection committee prays for wisdom
2. The needs of the child (special needs, older child, etc.)
3. The financial need of prospective adoptive parents
4. Letter showing support from the church you attend and personal reference
5. Availability of funds

HOW TO GET STARTED 

1. Submit your completed "Say Yes"  grant application (download below) after your homestudy is complete and you have been matched with a child. If you have questions based on a country program, please inquire at (561) 827-2222.
2. To comply with IRS guidelines and best practice, we must receive your complete application before a child is placed in your home.
3. Due to the volume of applications received, please allow 6 to 8 weeks for processing.
4. We will prayerfully consider your request and make a determination, indicating the specific amount (if approved). You will receive notification from Open Hearts for Orphans via email at that time.
5. Any questions or status updates can be sent to openheartsfororphansorg@gmail.com
6. Additional restrictions apply to adoptions from disruption. "Say Yes" grants are not to be used for respite or harmonious periods. Updated home study must be complete to apply and funds will be allocated to the adoption agency or attorney for adoption finalization. 

"SAY YES" - IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CONNECTED HEARTS MINISTRY

We are honored to be partners with Connected Hearts Ministry. They provide free one-on-one adoption funding coaching that helps  families raise funds for their adoption through crowdfunding, fundraising  and identifying  and applying for grants. Their goal is to help every Connected Hearts  family get fully funded! All qualified OHFO "Say Yes" grant recipients* will receive a Connected Hearts Funding Account that includes the following: 

1. A Connected Hearts Crowdfunding Page - All donations made to the family are tax deductible, and the account stays open until the family travels to adopt.  
2. One week feature on CHM social media page.
3. Personalized one-on-one adoption funding coaching with the goal of helping families get fully funded.
4. One personalized fundraiser created by CHM for social media launch week.
5. A list of grants and help applying for grants. 
6. Help with online and offline fundraisers.
7. The opportunity to apply for additional funding through Hao Bao Bao Coffee. 
8. Once a child is home, each family can also apply for a medical  funding page to raise funds for their child's medical care.

*Connected Hearts Ministry reserves the right to reject an application if a family doesn't  qualify.