International adoption transforms lives. The journey brings anticipation, preparation, and financial responsibility. Covering costs can feel daunting, but families don’t travel this road alone. Friends, relatives, coworkers, church groups, and neighbors often want to help. Families simply need to offer meaningful ways for others to join the story.

Over the years, adoptive parents have discovered creative approaches that invite people in, provide financial relief, and build lasting connections. Here are some of the most effective ideas.

Turn Pieces Into a Picture

One family invited supporters to purchase puzzle pieces for $10 each. They wrote every donor’s name on the back until the picture came together. Another family stitched donor names into a quilt and hung it in their child’s room. Both families created a visible reminder of the community that supported their international adoption.

Make Giving Interactive

Families often create momentum with engaging activities. The Envelope Challenge works because people enjoy seeing progress. One hundred envelopes, numbered $1 to $100, fill quickly and raise over $5,000. Others design and sell shirts through online platforms. A family adopting from Colombia created shirts with the phrase “Love Crosses Borders,” giving friends a way to contribute and spread awareness at the same time.

Move for a Mission

Many families tie their adoption story to physical movement. They organize 5K runs—local or virtual—and invite supporters to sponsor miles. Others collect donated goods for a community yard sale or pop-up market. These events generate funds and spark conversations about international adoption and the children who wait for families.

Build Community Through Events

Game nights, trivia, and bingo draw crowds and create a sense of fun. One couple organized a cultural night to honor their child’s birth country. They served food, shared music, and invited friends to experience the culture. The event raised money and deepened connections to the heart of international adoption.

Mark the Journey

Families who break the adoption process into steps often see strong engagement. A “Sponsor a Step” board lists milestones like home study, travel, or visa fees, allowing donors to choose a piece of the journey. Others may build a world map; sponsorships support symbolic “miles” and add donor names as they progress. These visuals keep everyone focused and excited about each step forward.

Expand Beyond Your Circle

Families who share their story online often reach supporters far outside their immediate network. Short videos, heartfelt photos, and consistent updates spark engagement on platforms like AdoptTogether or Pure Charity. Clear calls to action make it easy for people to donate.

Some families also write letters or send email campaigns. When paired with employer-matching programs, these efforts double the impact. Each method builds community and reinforces the mission of international adoption.

Move Forward with Confidence

Every international adoption journey looks different, but each one requires community support. Families who open the door for others—through puzzle pieces, runs, cultural events, or maps—invite their circle to take part in bringing a child home.

At Gladney, we believe every child deserves a loving, caring family. Our mission drives us to walk with parents through the adoption process, provide education and support, and create a network of people who champion children waiting around the world. When you invite your community to join your adoption journey, you live out that mission in a personal way—turning hope into action and building a forever family.

Explore Gladney’s Adoption Finances page for scholarships, loans, tax credit information, and more ways to make international adoption possible.