Grants

Jessie*J

I am filling out a grant and one of the considerations for review is showing you have an extreme need for assistance.

What exactly is "extreme" though?

We have a smaller income than most doing domestic adoptions (that i've seen so far) so that alone makes it harder to put money back. 

On the other hand we owe less than $25,000 on our mortgage and we have no credit cards, no car loans, and no personal loans.

The only thing we pay besides regular bills are 2 attorney fees over an old medical bill. They total about $70 per month.

So far we are paying for our adoption in cash. We've already covered our HS fees and we have enough put back for the attorney fees and the next set of fees due with our agency after we speak with them on the 22nd ... but that will leave us with a balance of $5,700 left to raise for the adoption --- and it would be nice to get funds to help with that. Especially if we get any kind of placement before Sept/Oct of this year. (I am trying very hard not to "have" to take out any loans or anything.)

Should we even fill out the application or will it look dumb since we have little debt even with a smaller income? Or would our smaller income be something to consider? 

What would you personally do ...

 

CaptainSerious

I'd fill it out.  It never hurts to apply.  You never know the situation of the other applicants.  If they deny you, you haven't lost anything.  If you don't fill it out, you've made the decision for them.

Jessie*J

I was thinking that too. It doesn't cost to apply for this one. But then I tend to overthink my decision lol. I'm one of those people who worries about what other people are going to think! haha

Dr.Loretta

I would think there are guidelines for this grant that define "extreme".

I would fill out the app and see what happens.

mrsdrkwaver

I would go ahead and try but when i looked into them most said they want you to show that you have taken all the money you can on loans home equity lines of credit, cc and your 401k most they want to see that u have done everything u can to find the money on your own. Some even want u to ask your church for help and friends and families for donations. I am not about that one but all they can say is no and it only took a few minutes of your time. so nothing to loose to try. We have no applied because some of the things they have wanted us to try like groveling to friends and family i am not willing to do. if you have any luck please let me know which one cause maybe i will try that one

Jessie*J

Thanks for the input!!

I agree with you --- there is no way I would ask our friends or family for money to help. The economy is bad enough on everyone!

It amazes me that they would rather see people go into debt and have MORE bills on top of a baby coming into the home! Who wants to owe?

We are very lucky to finally have our debts paid off. I paid our cars off about 3 yrs ago with some money I got from selling some land my grandpa left me.

When we bought our home in 2006 we decided to buy an older home and remodel ourselves. Plus I used some money my grandpa left me for a downpayment and that's why we have a lower mortgage. Then I just paid off our old infertility credit cards with our income taxes -- so we just now got to this point and I have NO plans on getting back into debt. lol

With the way we are saving we'll have it all by Sept/Oct -- so we'd only have to run around for the money if we got placement before then.

We shall see though. I try not to worry too much about it because I know the good Lord will take care of it in some way : ). I'll go ahead and PM you the organization so you can look into it!