Adoption Fundraising--What do you think?

For me, before I answered your question I would ask "what other way"? Also, I would really creatively consider what "fundraising" means. Freelancing is not that different from "hawking wares," in my experience as a freelancer. You're selling a service to make money for your family.

My point is that I would think there is something on the spectrum of money making that would qualify as a fundraising effort but also seem self-sufficient enough to satisfy your sense of propriety/independence. What it is, I don't know, but if you try to look around at what others have done maybe you'll get some ideas.

Would you feel comfortable asking family for a loan? I can't remember what you've said in the past about family relationships -- in same cases that would be fine, in others a disaster. Do you have an inheritance you're expecting that you would feel comfortable asking for a "withdrawl" from? Normally I think that's a bit tacky but in this case I don't think so -- and many people say they'd rather see kids or grandkids get money when they can actually really use it.

Finally, with regard to your analogy about banks, it is also true that people help each other. That's what people do!

Shaun
"Home is not the one tame place in a world of adventure; it is the one wild place in a world of rules and set tasks."
   -- G. K. Chesterton

There must be something which could satisfy both your own sense of propriety and the grant organization's requirements.

I assume you've looked here. I couldn't tell if that was one of the ones which has the fundraising or religion requirement, since you can't really look at the full application unless you are applying.

Does Frank's job have adoption benefits or anything?

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.

you've already trawled the internet for anything and everything... I've just followed the first link and I'm stunned at the number of employers that offer adoption benefits! Not all of them are of the financial support kind, but even so, I'm quite impressed.

Kerri.

Frank's company is very small (7 employees) so no, they do not offer adoption benefits. Their contribution to our last adoption was allowing Frank to take all two weeks of hs vacation at once, which they normally don't allow. We really appreciated that!!

We have considered asking family for a loan, and we have considered a garage sale, although we don't have enough extra stuff lying around to do it on our own. We'd have to ask other families to go in with us or donate their extra stuff. We also thought we could call our credit card company and ask them to give us a deal like they did last time: we'll partially fund our adoption on their card if they give us a fabulous rate (last time it was 4.9%). But Frank wrecked the car last night (of course, the one that's paid for and only worth about $1,000, so now we'll probably have to get a new car [and car payment]) so I don't know whether we can swing more credit card/loan payments. (Frank is fine, btw.) I used to do some housing testing for the fair housing center, and I got paid for that, but now that I'd have to pay a babysitter for two kids while I did the tests, I doubt I would break even. I have thought about trying to get a job in the evenings. I have done some freelance work for Frank's company, but that's kind-of hit or miss in terms of availability, and while Frank brings in thousands for each freelance job, I only bring in $2-300 for a week of freelance work (with all the juggling childcare that entails), so that would be just little bits and pieces of the amount we need.

Most of the sponsored fundraisers I have found online are selling things: magazines, stuffed animals, candles, etc. I'm not into that at all. A few places allow you to set up a non-profit and solicit donations, and then they match a percentage of your donations. The National Adoption Foundation gives grants with not strings attached, so that is something we will look into, but I know that they are innundated. I have also looked into the Gift of Adoption Fund, and they are pretty high on our lost of possibilities, but like someone mentioned, you don't get to see the application until you are actually applying, which we can't do until our homestudy is completed.

Thanks again!

Danna =]

Maybe something good's just waiting round the next bend. Just as well Frank's okay, but what rotten timing.

would it be feasible for family members who want to help but can't help with cold hard cash to donate their tme to babysitting while you go get money?? Only works if you have family nearby of course, and it probably isn't ideal with Abrehem only just home a short while ago to have that kind of disruption and uncertainty.

Maybe you could have the kids set up a lemonade stand and make it clear it's so that they can adopt their sister - most people wouldn't be able to turn down kids!!!

yeah okay, I'm out of ideas! I'll just have to add you to my prayers, and hope that it works out, unless I come up with a brainwave!

Kerri.

Rotten timing indeed though.

A couple of other things came to me in my sleep. I think you live in a good-sized city, right? Would any local AIDS organizations help, perhaps?

I suspect that the granting organizations assume that even people who don't belong to a religion, still have some sort of religious heritage which they don't mind being temporarily involved with so that their church or whatever can help with fundraising. (I don't even know where to start fixing that sentence so will leave it as-is.) That's not the case with you, I know; but is there a Humanist organization nearby which could help? I don't know if that would fit your philosophy or not, just a thought.

Frank and I now attend a Buddhist center, and I have considered asking the sangha members for help. I'm sure that many of them would be happy to help (in fact, the lay leaders of the center have a son they adopted from Guatemala). But last week we found out that the center will be moving from it rented quarters in a strip mall to a facility that they will be buying, and we are starting a capital campaign for that. So now I feel bad evening bringing up a request for adoption funding. But it's something I will keep in mind.

I used to work for the local ASO (AIDS service organization), so it would be worth it to give them a call and see what they can do.

Thanks for all the ideas! Maybe we should start playing the lottery!

You know, Bill Gates is a huge contributor to global AIDS causes. The $5,000 we need to do this adoption would be like 0.0000000000000000000000001% of his net worth. How off the wall would it be to write to him and ask for help???

Danna =]

In the grand scheme of things you are bringing your daughter HOME!!! You are giving her a chance at life! No matter how you raise the money, that is the bottom line! Well, maybe a small matter of how! But really, you bringing a child to a loving family is so much bigger than how you raise the money. I certainly would write to anyone you could think of.

I applaude you and Frank and pray for peace and guidance for you all!

Jana

Well, I checked out the website for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation website, and the foundation does not give grants to individuals. But I got the address of Microsoft's corporate headquarters from the Microsoft website. I wonder what would happen if I sent a letter to Bill Gates?

Is that horrendously cheesy? I don't want to hold a car wash but I'm willing to send a letter to a mega-rich stranger asking for help?

Danna =]

I wrote to Bill Gates and asked him to donate $5,000 toward our adoption costs. I guess the worst that could happen is that someone at Microsoft thinks my letter is hysterical, makes copies and distributes them, posts it on the web, and people around the world laugh at me. Oh well. It's done.

Danna =]

One way that people can contribute toward the adoption and not make you feel like you're begging/pleading is to set up a CafePress store. It's super easy, it costs nothing, and you can price things high. People will know they're paying for more than they're getting but they're getting something and you don't have to pay for it first.

I would even help you with the artwork if you needed help. You could have a picture of your daughter and something like "I helped bring [eek! i forgot your daughter's name! bad Lynn!] home", or you could even make t-shirts/buttons/etc to raise awareness of the AIDS orphan issue and take the money for the adoption. Here's one of my CafePress stores (I have three) with a good cross-section of their gear. I don't make a lot from it but every bit helps keep the site on the air.

You could even take some of the shirts and put them up on eBay with your story. Yes, seriously. Cheesy, who cares. You're trying to get a child home. It's all good. You can be too proud sometimes, Danna.

Lynn Siprelle, Editor

Lynn, that's a great idea. My husband, who rarely gets excited about anything, is very excited about this. He's a graphic designer, so this would be fun for him. He's got all sorts of ideas already!

No word yet from Bill Gates , but a BIG thanks to the TNHer who sent a little something our way.

Danna =]