Application: Part 1 HomeApplication: Part 1 ABBA Fund's heart & our ministry ...A little background ... Since 2004, ABBA Fund has provided more than $9 million in adoption assistance to Christian families, primarily through interest-free loans to help with the cash crunch that happens at the end of an adoption journey. That number continues to grow every week as ABBA Fund continues to make new loans to families as current loan families pay theirs off. During that time, ABBA Fund’s community of adoptive families assisted has grown to over 1,000 families who have welcomed home sons and daughters. The ABBA community and shared heart … ABBA Fund was founded with the mission to provide adoption assistance to Christian families. We’re looking for families that share our heart and vision. Our heart is to help orphans be placed into loving, nurturing Christian family environments where the child will not only experience the love of Jesus Christ but be introduced to the person of Jesus Christ – and prayerfully one day trust in Jesus so that he or she will be adopted into ABBA Father’s family through salvation (Romans 8:14-16; Galatians 4:4-6; Ephesians 1:4-6). Thus, the name of the ministry – ABBA Fund. As we review your application, we are looking for evidence of that same heart. Please answer your questions in that spirit. If this is not your heart, we would encourage you to explore other assistance options like the ones profiled under the Adoptions Resources area on the ABBA Fund website. Understanding the charitable boundaries and related tax issues … For families interested in participating in the Family Adoption Fundraising Program to set up an online Family Adoption Fund profile and giving form, we also need to ensure that you understand the strict IRS guidelines that govern how these types of funds are managed before you apply to participate and before any contributions are made. ABBA Fund has walked alongside hundreds of adoptive families. We have observed the growing number of ways that adoptive families are raising funds for their adoptions – the majority of which are so creative and obviously God inspired with great missional impact to help others understand the plight of the orphan and how God calls us to adopt. But at the same time have also seen a blurring and confusion of “charitable gifts” and “personal gifts” with the use of so many new online giving utilities and programs. For a financial contribution to a family’s adoption to be “charitable” (and tax-deductible for the donor), there are some strict IRS guidelines which must be adhered to for the protection of the donor and the recipient. For ABBA Fund and our commitment to financial integrity, we also have additional standards that we adhere to as members of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA). Because of the specific issues around adoption, ECFA has even published a specific white paper on Child Adoption Fundraising and Support to provide further clarity for ministries like ABBA Fund. Part of the urgency of our concern for families employing some of these methods is related to a fact about the Federal Adoption Tax Credit, which is a great benefit that every adopting family in the U.S. should take advantage of. In a 2012 report to Congress, the Taxpayer Advocate Service from the IRS reported that: “Sixty-nine percent of all adoption credit claims during the 2012 filing season were selected for audit.” Since adoptive families are at a higher risk of audit, they need to be very prudent in the way they raise funds for their adoptions and need solid counsel on how to best navigate the technicalities of “personal gifts” and “charitable gifts” for protection of their family and their friends & family who are generously giving.You must read and agree to the Statement of Faith before continuing.Statement of Faith *I share the Statement of Faith valuesApplication ChecklistName of Family *Check each area for which you are applying right now (others parts can be completed later): *Part I – Grant FundsPart II - Interest-Free Covenant LoanPart I – Grant Funds (please check one or both options) *Set up an online Family Adoption Fund and giving form as part of ABBA Fund’s Christian Family Adoption Grant FundChurch Partner members - reach out to ABBA Fund @ application@abbafund.org to verify eligibilityThe first step to apply for a grant fund through a partner of ABBA Fund or by participating in the Family Adoption Fundraising Program is by completing this online application. For participation approval, we ask families to agree with the statements below:We share the Statement of Faith and values ABBA Fund has shared in this application packageWe can demonstrate a plan for a successful adoption, including evidence of the financial stewardship needed to complete the adoption, a community of support which includes local church membership, and a spiritual maturity to raise their child(ren) in a biblically-based homeWe will prayerfully consider all applications for partner grants or participation in the Family Adoption Fundraising Program – but each family is asked to understand that our accepting their application is not a guarantee of receiving any kind of assistance.Interest-Free Loan ApplicationsEach interest-free loan application is structured to be assessed in the following areas: Heart for Adoption, Spiritual Wellness of Family, Educational and Parenting Values and Financial Stewardship. If approved, you will be contacted via email by our Family Relations team with next step instructions. ABBA Fund does not provide an explanation of approvals or denials. Please complete the application as thoroughly as possible to prevent delays in processing. As part of your completed application, the following documents are required: Please submit all required documents to application@abbafund.org.PART I: Family Adoption Fund Online Profile & Donation Form Copy of your completed Home Study (if available). If your home study is not available or if you are wanting to fundraise for your home study, then please attach an explanation of your adoption plan and any details on steps you have taken to get a home study done. A reference letter from your Pastor - a link is provided after Part 1 of application is submitted. PART II: Interest-Free Covenant Loan Application Copy of your completed Home Study Copy of your current driver’s license for you and your spouse Copy of most recent pay check stub for you and your spouse (if working) Copy of most recent Federal Tax Return (first two pages only) A Credit Report Card for you and your spouse from Creditkarma.com (a free service that does not impact your credit score), or from a similar service which includes a recent credit score and verification of total reportable debt, attached to the application A good quality photo of your family, your child(ren) you are adopting and/or a photo of all together (or explanation of your preference to not provide a photo for personal or agency reasons) Three references received by ABBA Fund prior to review of your application if not already on file. References should include your Pastor, an employer/co-worker and church accountability partner/leader - a link will be provided for you to send to your references once you submit your application How did you hear about ABBA Fund? *FriendOnline SearchWebsite LinkConference or MeetingAgency ReferralMinistry ReferralOtherWhich One? *Other *Family InformationStreet AddressApartment, suite, etcCityState/ProvinceZIP / Postal CodeDate of MarriageHome PhoneHome Email *Father's InformationFirst NameMiddle NameLast NameCompanyPhoneAddressApartment, suite, etcCityState/ProvinceZIP / Postal CodeEmployed SinceGross SalaryUSDNet SalaryUSDCountry of CitizenshipAfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAmerican SamoaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntarcticaAntigua and BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaAustraliaArubaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBoliviaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBouvet IslandBrazilBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryBruneiBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaCabo VerdeCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChileChina, People's Republic ofChristmas IslandCocos IslandsColombiaComorosCongo, Democratic Republic of theCongo, Republic of theCook IslandsCosta RicaCôte d'IvoireCroatiaCubaCuraçaoCyprusCzech RepublicDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEast TimorEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEthiopiaFalkland IslandsFaroe IslandsFijiFinlandFranceFrance, MetropolitanFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench South TerritoriesGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGuernseyGhanaGibraltarGreeceGreenlandGrenadaGuadeloupeGuamGuatemalaGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHeard Island And Mcdonald IslandHondurasHong KongHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJerseyJohnston IslandJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKorea, Democratic People's Republic ofKorea, Republic ofKosovoKuwaitKyrgyzstanLao People's Democratic RepublicLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacauNorth MacedoniaMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritaniaMauritiusMayotteMexicoMicronesiaMoldovaMonacoMongoliaMontserratMontenegroMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNetherlands AntillesNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNiueNorfolk IslandNorthern Mariana IslandsNorwayOmanPakistanPalauPalestine, State ofPanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPitcairn IslandsPolandPortugalPuerto RicoQatarReunion IslandRomaniaRussiaRwandaSaint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSamoaSaint HelenaSaint Pierre & MiquelonSan MarinoSao Tome and PrincipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSint MaartenSlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth Georgia and South SandwichSpainSri LankaStateless PersonsSudanSudan, SouthSurinameSvalbard and Jan MayenSwazilandSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTaiwan, Republic of ChinaTajikistanTanzaniaThailandTogoTokelauTongaTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTurkeyTurkmenistanTurks And Caicos IslandsTuvaluUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomUS Minor Outlying IslandsUnited States of America (USA)UruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVatican CityVenezuelaVietnamVirgin Islands, BritishVirgin Islands, U.S.Wallis And Futuna IslandsWestern SaharaYemen Arab Rep.Yemen DemocraticZambiaZimbabweMother's InformationFirst NameMiddle NameLast NameCompanyPhoneAddressApartment, suite, etcCityState/ProvinceZIP / Postal CodeEmployed SinceGross SalaryUSDNet SalaryUSDCountry of CitizenshipAfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAmerican SamoaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntarcticaAntigua and BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaAustraliaArubaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBoliviaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBouvet IslandBrazilBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryBruneiBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaCabo VerdeCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChileChina, People's Republic ofChristmas IslandCocos IslandsColombiaComorosCongo, Democratic Republic of theCongo, Republic of theCook IslandsCosta RicaCôte d'IvoireCroatiaCubaCuraçaoCyprusCzech RepublicDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEast TimorEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEthiopiaFalkland IslandsFaroe IslandsFijiFinlandFranceFrance, MetropolitanFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench South TerritoriesGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGuernseyGhanaGibraltarGreeceGreenlandGrenadaGuadeloupeGuamGuatemalaGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHeard Island And Mcdonald IslandHondurasHong KongHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJerseyJohnston IslandJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKorea, Democratic People's Republic ofKorea, Republic ofKosovoKuwaitKyrgyzstanLao People's Democratic RepublicLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacauNorth MacedoniaMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritaniaMauritiusMayotteMexicoMicronesiaMoldovaMonacoMongoliaMontserratMontenegroMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNetherlands AntillesNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNiueNorfolk IslandNorthern Mariana IslandsNorwayOmanPakistanPalauPalestine, State ofPanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPitcairn IslandsPolandPortugalPuerto RicoQatarReunion IslandRomaniaRussiaRwandaSaint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSamoaSaint HelenaSaint Pierre & MiquelonSan MarinoSao Tome and PrincipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSint MaartenSlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth Georgia and South SandwichSpainSri LankaStateless PersonsSudanSudan, SouthSurinameSvalbard and Jan MayenSwazilandSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTaiwan, Republic of ChinaTajikistanTanzaniaThailandTogoTokelauTongaTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTurkeyTurkmenistanTurks And Caicos IslandsTuvaluUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomUS Minor Outlying IslandsUnited States of America (USA)UruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVatican CityVenezuelaVietnamVirgin Islands, BritishVirgin Islands, U.S.Wallis And Futuna IslandsWestern SaharaYemen Arab Rep.Yemen DemocraticZambiaZimbabweCurrent DependentsNameAgeRelationshipNameAgeRelationshipNameAgeRelationshipNameAgeRelationshipNameAgeRelationshipNameAgeRelationshipNameAgeRelationshipNameAgeRelationshipChurch InformationChurch NamePastor's NameMember SincePhoneStreet AddressApartment, suite, etcCityState/ProvinceZIP / Postal CodeCountryAfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAmerican SamoaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntarcticaAntigua and BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaAustraliaArubaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBoliviaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBouvet IslandBrazilBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryBruneiBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaCabo VerdeCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChileChina, People's Republic ofChristmas IslandCocos IslandsColombiaComorosCongo, Democratic Republic of theCongo, Republic of theCook IslandsCosta RicaCôte d'IvoireCroatiaCubaCuraçaoCyprusCzech RepublicDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEast TimorEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEthiopiaFalkland IslandsFaroe IslandsFijiFinlandFranceFrance, MetropolitanFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench South TerritoriesGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGuernseyGhanaGibraltarGreeceGreenlandGrenadaGuadeloupeGuamGuatemalaGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHeard Island And Mcdonald IslandHondurasHong KongHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJerseyJohnston IslandJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKorea, Democratic People's Republic ofKorea, Republic ofKosovoKuwaitKyrgyzstanLao People's Democratic RepublicLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacauNorth MacedoniaMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritaniaMauritiusMayotteMexicoMicronesiaMoldovaMonacoMongoliaMontserratMontenegroMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNetherlands AntillesNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNiueNorfolk IslandNorthern Mariana IslandsNorwayOmanPakistanPalauPalestine, State ofPanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPitcairn IslandsPolandPortugalPuerto RicoQatarReunion IslandRomaniaRussiaRwandaSaint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSamoaSaint HelenaSaint Pierre & MiquelonSan MarinoSao Tome and PrincipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSint MaartenSlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth Georgia and South SandwichSpainSri LankaStateless PersonsSudanSudan, SouthSurinameSvalbard and Jan MayenSwazilandSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTaiwan, Republic of ChinaTajikistanTanzaniaThailandTogoTokelauTongaTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTurkeyTurkmenistanTurks And Caicos IslandsTuvaluUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomUS Minor Outlying IslandsUnited States of America (USA)UruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVatican CityVenezuelaVietnamVirgin Islands, BritishVirgin Islands, U.S.Wallis And Futuna IslandsWestern SaharaYemen Arab Rep.Yemen DemocraticZambiaZimbabweDoes your church have an adoption assistance program partnership with ABBA Fund?NoYesName of FundAdoption SummaryAgency or Facilitator NameContact PersonContact EmailPhoneStreet AddressApartment, suite, etcCityState/ProvinceZIP / Postal CodeCountryAfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAmerican SamoaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntarcticaAntigua and BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaAustraliaArubaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBoliviaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBouvet IslandBrazilBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryBruneiBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaCabo VerdeCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChileChina, People's Republic ofChristmas IslandCocos IslandsColombiaComorosCongo, Democratic Republic of theCongo, Republic of theCook IslandsCosta RicaCôte d'IvoireCroatiaCubaCuraçaoCyprusCzech RepublicDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEast TimorEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEthiopiaFalkland IslandsFaroe IslandsFijiFinlandFranceFrance, MetropolitanFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench South TerritoriesGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGuernseyGhanaGibraltarGreeceGreenlandGrenadaGuadeloupeGuamGuatemalaGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHeard Island And Mcdonald IslandHondurasHong KongHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJerseyJohnston IslandJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKorea, Democratic People's Republic ofKorea, Republic ofKosovoKuwaitKyrgyzstanLao People's Democratic RepublicLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacauNorth MacedoniaMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritaniaMauritiusMayotteMexicoMicronesiaMoldovaMonacoMongoliaMontserratMontenegroMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNetherlands AntillesNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNiueNorfolk IslandNorthern Mariana IslandsNorwayOmanPakistanPalauPalestine, State ofPanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPitcairn IslandsPolandPortugalPuerto RicoQatarReunion IslandRomaniaRussiaRwandaSaint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSamoaSaint HelenaSaint Pierre & MiquelonSan MarinoSao Tome and PrincipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSint MaartenSlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth Georgia and South SandwichSpainSri LankaStateless PersonsSudanSudan, SouthSurinameSvalbard and Jan MayenSwazilandSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTaiwan, Republic of ChinaTajikistanTanzaniaThailandTogoTokelauTongaTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTurkeyTurkmenistanTurks And Caicos IslandsTuvaluUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomUS Minor Outlying IslandsUnited States of America (USA)UruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVatican CityVenezuelaVietnamVirgin Islands, BritishVirgin Islands, U.S.Wallis And Futuna IslandsWestern SaharaYemen Arab Rep.Yemen DemocraticZambiaZimbabweNumber of children you are adopting?Ages of ChildrenCountryAfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAmerican SamoaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntarcticaAntigua and BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaAustraliaArubaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBoliviaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBouvet IslandBrazilBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryBruneiBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaCabo VerdeCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChileChina, People's Republic ofChristmas IslandCocos IslandsColombiaComorosCongo, Democratic Republic of theCongo, Republic of theCook IslandsCosta RicaCôte d'IvoireCroatiaCubaCuraçaoCyprusCzech RepublicDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEast TimorEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEthiopiaFalkland IslandsFaroe IslandsFijiFinlandFranceFrance, MetropolitanFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench South TerritoriesGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGuernseyGhanaGibraltarGreeceGreenlandGrenadaGuadeloupeGuamGuatemalaGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHeard Island And Mcdonald IslandHondurasHong KongHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJerseyJohnston IslandJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKorea, Democratic People's Republic ofKorea, Republic ofKosovoKuwaitKyrgyzstanLao People's Democratic RepublicLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacauNorth MacedoniaMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritaniaMauritiusMayotteMexicoMicronesiaMoldovaMonacoMongoliaMontserratMontenegroMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNetherlands AntillesNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNiueNorfolk IslandNorthern Mariana IslandsNorwayOmanPakistanPalauPalestine, State ofPanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPitcairn IslandsPolandPortugalPuerto RicoQatarReunion IslandRomaniaRussiaRwandaSaint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSamoaSaint HelenaSaint Pierre & MiquelonSan MarinoSao Tome and PrincipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSint MaartenSlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth Georgia and South SandwichSpainSri LankaStateless PersonsSudanSudan, SouthSurinameSvalbard and Jan MayenSwazilandSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTaiwan, Republic of ChinaTajikistanTanzaniaThailandTogoTokelauTongaTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTurkeyTurkmenistanTurks And Caicos IslandsTuvaluUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomUS Minor Outlying IslandsUnited States of America (USA)UruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVatican CityVenezuelaVietnamVirgin Islands, BritishVirgin Islands, U.S.Wallis And Futuna IslandsWestern SaharaYemen Arab Rep.Yemen DemocraticZambiaZimbabweSpecial Needs?Sibling GroupNoYesHave you been matched with a child(ren) by a licensed adoption agencyNoYesWhen?Have you been approved to travel to pick up the child(ren)?NoYesTravel date?NOTE: If you are just starting out and don’t have answers to the questions above, please either write below or attach a written page with a detailed explanation of the adoption process you are following, what your next steps are, and what expenses you are faced with for those steps.Adoption CommunityPlease review the Adoption Resources area of ABBA Fund’s website (under the Adoption Journey section). What books, articles, organizations or people have most influenced your adoption journey? What type of adoption community (other adoptive families) are you plugged in to, either locally or online? What have you done to prepare to live “the adopted life” and the many challenges that often come with raising an adoptedchild? Adoption JourneyAdoption TestimonyPlease be as detailed and thorough as possible when completing the application. NOTE: Include scripture where appropriate to support your statements. Both husband and wife must complete each item.HusbandExplain why you are adopting and how God has spoken to your heart about adoption.WifeExplain why you are adopting and how God has spoken to your heart about adoption.Statement of Faith & Shared BeliefsPlease read ABBA Fund’s Statement on Authority of Scripture & Beliefs and Faith in Appendix B of this application or on our website. By initialing above, you are confirming that you share our beliefs and biblical values. ABBA Fund is a community of adoptive families who are committed to raising their children in a Christian faith environment consistent with these beliefs. If you worship in a faith community that does not align with our beliefs, please do not sign in this area.Husband's InitialsWife's InitialsEstimated Adoption CostsAgency FeesUSDNotary /AuthenticationUSDForeign Program FeesUSDTranslation FeesUSDHome StudyUSDTravel First TripUSDIn-Country FeesUSDTravel Second TripUSDINS FeesUSDVisas / PassportsUSDOrphanage DonationUSDOtherUSDTotal Adoption CostsSources of FundsPersonal FundsUSDEmployer AssistanceUSDHome Equity LineUSDFundraisingUSDOtherUSDLoans & GrantsNameAmountUSDStatusAppliedReceivedNameAmountUSDStatusAppliedReceivedNameAmountUSDStatusAppliedReceivedNameAmountUSDStatusAppliedReceivedTotal Estimated Resources for Your AdoptionFunding Plan ExplanationPlease note that ABBA Fund may not award interest-free loans on top of other adoption interest-bearing financing (credit cards, home equity loans/lines of credit, traditional loans, etc.)Approval SignatureWe hereby consent for ABBA Fund to contact our adoption agency and any other person or institution named in this application, and weauthorize such person and institutions to verify information for ABBA Fund about our adoption. We also understand and agree that: ABBA Fund contacting any of individuals in no way indicates approval of our application. Whether or not financial assistance is provided is at the total discretion of the ministry and its representatives. ABBA Fund is not obligated to provide any assistance to us through grants or loans. Both Hands FoundationWe would like to share this application with Both Hands Foundation so they contact us about possibly doing a widow service fundraising project(More information at www.bothhands.org) Signature of Adopting FatherDateSignature of Adopting MotherDatePermission to use story & picsPlease initial here to give ABBA Fund permission to use your family’s story and any pictures you share for us to share with our support base to help raise funds for our various assistance funds and to report back to donors about the impact of their gifts.Husband's InitialsWife's InitialsIf there are any restrictions on the use of your information or pictures, please explain below:Partnership Grant FundsIf you have any questions about whether you are eligible or belong to one of our partnering organizations, please email application@abbafund.org.What is the total amount of financial assistance that you are requesting / anticipate needing from ABBA Fund in the form of a partnership grant?USDStreet AddressApartment, suite, etcCityState/ProvinceZIP / Postal CodeCountryAfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAmerican SamoaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntarcticaAntigua and BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaAustraliaArubaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBoliviaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBouvet IslandBrazilBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryBruneiBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaCabo VerdeCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChileChina, People's Republic ofChristmas IslandCocos IslandsColombiaComorosCongo, Democratic Republic of theCongo, Republic of theCook IslandsCosta RicaCôte d'IvoireCroatiaCubaCuraçaoCyprusCzech RepublicDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEast TimorEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEthiopiaFalkland IslandsFaroe IslandsFijiFinlandFranceFrance, MetropolitanFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench South TerritoriesGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGuernseyGhanaGibraltarGreeceGreenlandGrenadaGuadeloupeGuamGuatemalaGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHeard Island And Mcdonald IslandHondurasHong KongHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJerseyJohnston IslandJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKorea, Democratic People's Republic ofKorea, Republic ofKosovoKuwaitKyrgyzstanLao People's Democratic RepublicLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacauNorth MacedoniaMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritaniaMauritiusMayotteMexicoMicronesiaMoldovaMonacoMongoliaMontserratMontenegroMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNetherlands AntillesNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNiueNorfolk IslandNorthern Mariana IslandsNorwayOmanPakistanPalauPalestine, State ofPanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPitcairn IslandsPolandPortugalPuerto RicoQatarReunion IslandRomaniaRussiaRwandaSaint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSamoaSaint HelenaSaint Pierre & MiquelonSan MarinoSao Tome and PrincipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSint MaartenSlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth Georgia and South SandwichSpainSri LankaStateless PersonsSudanSudan, SouthSurinameSvalbard and Jan MayenSwazilandSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTaiwan, Republic of ChinaTajikistanTanzaniaThailandTogoTokelauTongaTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTurkeyTurkmenistanTurks And Caicos IslandsTuvaluUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomUS Minor Outlying IslandsUnited States of America (USA)UruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVatican CityVenezuelaVietnamVirgin Islands, BritishVirgin Islands, U.S.Wallis And Futuna IslandsWestern SaharaYemen Arab Rep.Yemen DemocraticZambiaZimbabweHave you already spoken to someone at the at your partner organization?YesNoPlease email us at application@abbafund.org for more information on our church partner program.Who was it?What did they say?First NameLast NamePhoneEmail AddressAdministration & Guidelines UnderstandingOur heart is to help reduce the financial burden for your family to adopt and we are honored to have the potential blessing of serving you and being part of your adoption journey – but please understand that our first responsibility is to protect the charitable status and financial integrity of ABBA Fund for the hundreds of families we serve through adoption assistance funding. Let’s walk through what you need to know about how the Family Adoption Fundraising Program works in order to be a catalyst for charitable gifts that are tax-deductible for generous donors.ABBA Fund's Charitable RequirementsABBA Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit ministry and is a member is good standing with the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA). In order to protect our federal charitable status with the IRS and our membership with ECFA, ABBA Fund manages each of its grant and loan funds by strict standards outlined in this document. These guidelines explained in this document are part of the procedures ABBA Fund has in place to adhere to IRS regulations and protect the charitable integrity of a donor's gift. IRS regulations require that donations are made to the organization which is the approved charitable entity (ABBA Fund) and not the individual (family). As evidence of that, ABBA Fund maintains full control and administration of all donated funds, you will find this information fully disclosed on all donation forms, receipts and related materials -- and it is the responsibility of each participating family to help communicate this clarification to donors requesting to support their adoption. Any repeated requests or demands by a family participating in one of our funds in a way that is in violation of these standards is grounds to immediately cancel their participation and forfeit any benefits from charitable contributions which they have helped raise for the fund, which are given with the understanding of ABBA Fund’s full administration and control of all donated funds.Husband's InitialsWife's InitialsAdministration & Control versus Donor RequestsDonors are permitted to state a preference of how their contribution is used and request that it support a particular family that has been approved by ABBA Fund to participate in the ABBA Fund – but the gift must be given in support of ABBA Fund’s charitable mission to assist Christian families to adopt. ABBA Fund will fully consider that request, while the ultimate authority regarding the disposition of the funds is at the discretion of ABBA Fund as the charitable organization. (NOTE: Donors should not write the name of the family they are requesting to support anywhere on a check sent into ABBA Fund. Doing so would eliminate that gift’s charitable nature because in an IRS audit situation it shows the intent of the donor to give to an individual instead of the charitable organization. Any request to support a particular family’s adoption should be done by using the online form, including a contribution form with the check, or simply enclosing a personal note stating the preference.)Husband's InitialsWife's InitialsABBA Fund is grateful for each donation given to the Chosen Family Adoption Grant Fund, and broad participation in the fund makes it more likely that each approved family will receive the grant and loans funds intended to reduce the financial burden of their adoption. Our intent is to fund qualified adoption expenses for each family participant with at least the total amount they helped raise for the Chosen Family Adoption Grant Fund.Personal Contributions Toward Your Own FundFamilies cannot make a charitable contribution toward their own fund, either directly or through a private foundation or donor advised fund which they oversee. To maintain the charitable integrity of any support a family may receive from the grant fund, we encourage participating families to seek contributions from a broad and diverse public group.Husband's InitialsWife's InitialsGrant Fund versus "Personal Account"Your participation in the ABBA Fund is in no way to be construed as setting up a “personal account” with ABBA Fund, which is notpermitted by IRS guidelines. Contributions you help raise for the grant fund do not create an account from which you can draw down funds as needed. Nor is there any agreement – even unspoken – guaranteeing a family that it will personally receive all of the funds it helps raise for ABBA Fund’s work. Your participation is part of a group of adoptive families for which ABBA Fund is attempting to reduce the financial burden of adoption so that orphans can be cared for in loving, nurturing Christian family environments. ABBA Fund will assist each participating family with creating and hosting an online profile to share their story and track the funds you help raise as part of the Christian Family Adoption Grant Fund, but the distribution of those funds is under the total administration and control of ABBA Fund as the charitable recipient of the gifts. The grants disbursed from ABBA Fund rarely go directly to the participating family -- instead the disbursements go to third-party service providers (your adoption agency, lawyer, travel agent, etc.).Husband's InitialsWife's InitialsUse of the Grant FundsAs mentioned earlier, the grants (and loans) disbursed from ABBA Fund rarely go directly to the participating family. Instead the disbursements from ABBA Fund go to third-party service providers (your adoption agency, lawyer, travel agent, etc.). It is ABBA Fund’s policy not to provide funds (grants or loans) that are primarily for the benefit of the family versus relieving the financial burden of adoption. Acceptable expenses for grant and loan disbursements: Adoption Agency fees Social Worker fee for a home study and home visits Legal fees for lawyer services and law firm expenses Orphanage donations (preferably handled by your agency liaison) Travel costs for parents and the adopted child to enter the country and return home (preferably to a travel agent) Major medical costs within the year after the child legally becomes part of the family (surgeries, treatment for major illnesses, an initial medical evaluation to determine needed care for the child … this opportunity is not meant be multiple grants for things like wellness care, but larger grants paid directly to medical providers for remaining major medical expenses after insurance has paid its share) Expenses that are not acceptable for grant and loan disbursements: Personal mileage reimbursement Personal meal expenses Sight-seeing travel or personal trips not required as part of the adoption Travel expenses related to other family members not required to be there for the adoption (except in rare circumstances) Personal home modifications or improvements to accommodate an adopted child PLEASE NOTE: The disbursement of grant funds from ABBA Fund is meant to be for large expenses and not a continual list of smaller checks to a variety of different entities. In cases of excessive requests for disbursements of a grant or loan, a 20% administrative fee may be assessed at ABBA Fund’s discretion on the disbursements to cover the labor and processing associated with the multiple disbursements. Any direct costs related to wire transfers, overnight or rush delivery fees, etc. are also deducted from the grant or added to the loan amount.Husband's InitialsWife's InitialsExcess Contributions Beyond Adoption NeedABBA Fund will not grant or loan funds beyond the determined need for a family’s adoption expenses. Any change in the estimated adoption expense in the family’s application should be updated and documented with ABBA Fund. Any funds that a family helps raise over and above their family’s personal adoption needs should be done so with no expectation of those funds being granted toward their adoption and will become part of the general ABBA Fund pool of resources. A family that helps raise a significant amount of funds beyond their adoption needs can request an assessment from ABBA Fund for converting the funds raised into a Legacy Child Fund which would allow the participating family to be part of supporting additional adoptive families with interest-free loans.Husband's InitialsWife's InitialsTermination of an Adoption ProcessAny family participant in the grant fund that terminates their adoption pursuit can no longer participate in the grant fund, and all funds they helped raise for the ABBA Fund become part of the general pool to assist other families in need. Charitably contributed gifts cannot be returned to donors, and will be used for the purpose for which they were given – to assist Christian families to adopt. If a family suspends their adoption pursuit (for instance, after an adoption where the birth parents changed their mind), but intends to pursue again in the future, ABBA Fund asks that they remain in continued contact with the ministry and they can remain an active participant in the grant fund community.Husband's InitialsWife's InitialsService Fee for the Grant FundWhile ABBA Fund works to minimize administrative fees, please know that there are fees tied to bank card contributions and support of these online fundraising pages that are unavoidable. To that end, a nominal 5% fee will be deducted from all donations to the Christian Family Adoption Grant Fund to cover those costs when the contribution is received. ABBA Fund maintains the right to waive these fees in special circumstances and partnerships at its discretion. Any need to increase these fees will be communicated to all participating families prior to the increase taking affect and with the option for the family to no longer participate.Husband's InitialsWife's InitialsHusband's InitialsGrant Funds & Adoption Tax CreditGrant funds received by a family reduce the amount of adoption expenses that can be claimed as part of the Federal Adoption Tax Credit. Loans – including ABBA Fund’s interest-free loans for approved families – do not reduce the amount of adoption expenses that can be claimed as part of the Adoption Tax Credit. A combination of grants and interest-free loans is the best way to maximize the impact of the Adoption Tax Credit on overall adoption costs. Families should confer with their personal accountant or tax advisor to ensure they are getting the full value of the Adoption Tax Credit.Wife's InitialsStatement on Scripture, Beliefs & FaithPlease read ABBA Fund’s Statement on Authority of Scripture & Beliefs and Faith in Appendix B. By initialing above, you are confirming that you share our beliefs and biblical values. ABBA Fund is a community of adoptive families who are committed to raising their children in a Christian faith environment consistent with our beliefs, values and faith. If you worship in a faith community that does not align with our beliefs, please do not sign in this area. We would encourage you to explore the other types of resource assistance, including some provided in our Adoption Resources section of our website.Husband's Initials *Wife's Initials *Guidelines & Understanding *We have read this clarification, understand the IRS guidelines ABBA Fund must adhere to, and pledge to help communicate to our donors the distinction of making a contribution to ABBA Fund’s Family Adoption Fund (the charitable entity) versus making a personal gift to your family (which would not qualify as a charitable gift). We also understand and accept the nominal fee that will be assessed as part of the grant and loan fund administration.Husband's SignatureWife's SignatureDateSubmit Application Part 1Save as Draft