Gift of Family
Couples across the globe find themselves looking into adoption for a variety of reasons, but when they see costs ranging from $25,000 to $45,000 and more, it’s discouraging, if not downright impossible, for many.
Gift of Adoption is the answer for those who need help getting through the financial barrier to complete their family.
There are approximately 15,000 children in the U.S. waiting to be adopted right now and 153 million worldwide.
Less than 2% of those who consider adoption actually complete it, citing the high cost of adoption as the primary barrier.
When Gene and Lucy Wyka were blessed with the resources to afford the financial aspect of three adoptions, they decided to pay it forward, creating The Gift of Adoption Fund in 1996.
They soon changed their fund from a private structure to a public charity, enabling affiliate organizations, or chapters, to form locations across the country. There are 30 chapters in the U.S. today, and those living in an area with no chapter can still reach out to the national organization for assistance.
“In 2020, local volunteers founded the Kentucky chapter, and since then, we’ve awarded nearly $200,000 to help complete more than 50 adoptions,” says Jules Tisera, president of the board for the Kentucky chapter. “Before that, grants were funded by neighboring chapters or the national organization, so more than $23.9 million has been awarded, reaching 7,000 children since the nonprofit’s inception.”
Once the couple is working with a licensed agency for domestic or international adoption and they’ve received an approved home study, they can apply for a grant through Gift of Adoption to help mitigate the cost of legal fees, travel expenses and more.
“A home study determines the family is emotionally, physically and financially equipped to parent, but it doesn’t mean they can cover all the adoption costs,” Tisera says. “You do have to be financially stable, but oftentimes, an opportunity comes along faster than expected. The family thinks they have 18 months to save up, and they get a call that a child is ready to be picked up tomorrow.”
Tisera says they often hear from couples who want to adopt a biological sibling in order to keep siblings together, or sometimes the money is set aside and the family experiences a natural disaster and things have changed quickly.
“Another special circumstance is children in a vulnerable situation. The child is not in the same state; maybe they’re in the NICU and will be there for several weeks. The cost of travel and lodging is an unexpected expense,” Tisera says.
The Kentucky chapter receives approximately 25 qualified applications each year.
An application committee reviews each one and, if selected, awards approximately $5,000 to the family. As an organization, they hope to increase that amount over the next three years, but as a nonprofit, fundraising and support are the only ways to make it possible.
Tisera used to serve on the committee and remembers the heartbreaking stories she’s read over the years.
“I would read them over a weekend and sit there and cry. These are people at the end of their rope, desperately wanting a family,” Tisera says. “While we don’t require ongoing relationships, many families volunteer milestones and updates with us. Some have even joined our board. I think for myself and other volunteers, it’s these stories. Every time we hear a child is finally home because of one of our grants, it reminds us why this work is so important. It’s heartwarming and fulfilling to see a child home with a safe, loving and permanent family.”
Dee McCain of Louisville adopted Wynn in 2025 in the U.S.
“Wynn is just a happy baby and so sweet. For my son, adoption means he is wanted, cherished and deeply loved — not for who anyone hoped he would be, but for exactly who he is,” McCain says. “It means he has a place where his story matters, where his presence has purpose and where his life is celebrated every single day. Adoption gives him roots to grow from and wings to grow into.”
Alexander and Molly Love of Erlanger adopted Eliza, also from the U.S., last year.
“Eliza is very peaceful, sweet and social,” the Loves say. “She feels safe and loved, and it is so obvious to us. She would have gone into foster care without an adoption plan. This grant significantly relieves the financial burden so we can focus more on Eliza.”
Gift of Adoption Kentucky’s annual signature fundraiser is Gallop for the Gift.
From 5:30 to 9 p.m. on Nov. 6, sponsors and supporters can join the organization at the Olmsted in Louisville and enjoy a silent auction, dinner and drinks, and inspiring stories of families like the McCains and the Loves who received a Gift of Adoption grant.
They also have the popular Bourbon Chase as part of the silent auction. Twenty donated bottles of bourbon are up for raffle and awarded by chance.
All of the proceeds go directly to fund adoption assistance grants.
“This will be our seventh annual fundraiser, and we’ve grown quite a bit. We’re moving the event to November to coincide with National Adoption Month,” Tisera says. “We’re really excited to have Miss Kentucky, Ariana Rodriguez, as our keynote speaker. She was a foster child herself, and we’ll also hear from a grant recipient family in Kentucky. We raised more than $80,000 last year — double from the year before.”
It still amazes Tisera, the number of people she’s met who have been touched by adoption.
So many have a personal connection through their own family, friends or neighbors and have seen the true gift that adoption brings to a family.
“We want to continue to get the word out. We’re always looking for board members, but you don’t have to commit to a board position. We always need volunteers for our events throughout the year. We need sponsors and supporters, such as dine-to-donate events and others,” Tisera says.
For more information or to fill out your own application for an impending adoption, visit giftofadoption.org/kentucky/.
Visit giftofadoption.org/kygallop/ to purchase Gallop for the Gift tickets.
