would something like a yard sale count as fundraising?? I can see your point of view Danna - I know that calling on people to give money like that wouldn't make me comfortable either, not for something (someone in this case) which would then be mine at the end of the day. Maybe instead of asking people for money you can ask them for ways to raise the money. All that 'fundraising' really means is raising the money... it shouldn't have to mean some ghastly public display, unless they have ridiculously strict guidelines, in which case keep looking for funding organisations because you don't want to get involved.

Obviously you're brainstorming with us, but can you also get a group of family and friends together one night to brainstorm some ideas... Would that feel too much like you're asking for a contribution?? If people also choose to contribute, don't say no, unless you feel that they feel like they were pressured into it. People tend to donate to things when they're asked, or when something is more personal. If all you're really asking for is ideas there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Who knows... you might hit on something that fits you just perfectly.

Do you have craft or other saleable skills?? "All proceeds will go towards bringing our daughter home". I'm sure that must count as fundraising. You don't have to set up a table in your front yard to sell badges, but maybe there's a shop that sells locally made jams or something like that, or a small art and craft gallery that welcomes designers with only a few items to sell. As long as you're puting that money towards bringing your daughter home then why isn't it fundraising. And I don't see why freelancing doesn't count. Is there some way you could use the freelancing contacts that your DH has to offer some extra pieces of your own... columns on homeschooling or adoption, poetry, whatever it takes.

Actually, getting your story in some kind of adoption-focussed publication would be a fabulous way of putting feelers out and maybe getting financing. At least you could be seen by the other organisations to be putting yourself out there. Stories like yours don't just help you either, they help all adoptive families and children waiting for adoption, so it wouldn't feel quite so much like you're trying to take money from other people. You'd be giving back by sharing your own experiences.

Sorry I can't think of anything more concrete. It sounds like it will have to be a careful balance between what you feel is morally aceptable and stretching your boundaries a bit for the sake of what you believe in most, to do something you might not otherwise have been comfortable with. I understand though, because I'd have a horror of trying to raise money publically for what I saw as my own problem, but you know she's important, so you're going to have to reach out of your comfort zone a little further I think, to be really successful. Personally I think what you do is well beyond where my comfort zone would be, but a little extra stretch might net huge rewards.

Good luck Danna... keep looking and we'll keep on thinking.

Kerri.