Frequently Asked Questions

Here you’ll find some helpful answers to common questions. Whether you are researching adoption financial assistance options or are a family approved by Lifesong Canada, we hope you’ll find some quick answers. You may also contact us via email at adoption@lifesongcanada.org

Families Applying for Financial Assistance

Who can apply for an adoption grant?

The applicant must be a Christian couple, called by God to enlarge their family through adoption, who are committed to train and educate their children in accordance with Biblical principles, and who need financial assistance in order to complete the adoption.

Applicants must be adopting through an adoption agency that is registered as a Canadian charitable organization. WE CANNOT OFFER YOU A GRANT IF YOUR AGENCY IS NOT A REGISTERED CHARITY. The grant must be paid directly to an agency that is a registered charity and there must be a balance owing at the time of cashing your grant. If you are unsure, you can ask them for their CRA charitable number or search here: CRA charity registry.

In determining whether Lifesong Canada will provide a grant to a particular family, the Board considers many things, and the decision to deny assistance to a particular family does not constitute a judgment that the family is a “bad” family.

What is the grant criteria?

In allocating funds for grants from the general fund, factors that are important to the Advisory Board include: (a) leading of the Holy Spirit; (b) worldview; (c) stability and spiritual maturity of the applicants’ marriage; (d) church involvement and endorsement; (e) philosophy of education and parenting; (f) the financial need of the prospective family; (g) availability of funds.

Are there any special income requirements? Is there a credit check? What other factors do you consider in determining whether to approve an application?

We are stewards of the funds entrusted to us by the Lord through our donors. Good stewardship requires us to consider finances as well as many other factors. We rely heavily on the adoption agencies to do a lot of the background checks and to report on those in their home study. This prevents duplication of effort and helps to keep our overhead costs low. Above all, we ask God to provide us with His wisdom so that we might glorify Him in our decisions.

How long does the application review take?

We try to review each application within 4 to 6 weeks, but due to the number of applications received, it may take time.

What if we need to expedite the review process? (For instance, we learned that we could have a child placed in our home much sooner than originally expected.)

Please contact us. We do everything in our power to be flexible and helpful.

Can I apply for more than one grant/loan?

As it relates to Lifesong Canada specific grants/loans, we are only able to provide one grant/loan per family per adoption. At this time, funding does not allow us to approve multiple grants for the same adoption.

What if we can’t send the required pastoral letter of recommendation with the application? (For instance, my husband is the pastor.)

You are welcome to send a letter from another pastor who knows your family well. Also, an elder/board member, your small group leader, or a Sunday School teacher from your church can write the letter.

What is the maximum amount of money that an adopting family may request?

We are committed to working together with the adopting parents to maximize the financial support and assistance they may need. Each situation is unique and at times our resources may be limited, so our one-time direct grants are typically between $4000-$6000.

For families who want to maximize their financial assistance, we offer a matching grant program that encourages the adopting parents to gather additional financial support through fundraising and other sources of assistance (e.g., your church, your employer(s), other organizations providing grants, etc.) and Lifesong Canada matches up to a certain amount. This way, we are able to help more families in more ways.

Can a family receive a commitment for financial assistance before beginning the adoption process?

Although an adopting family needs to use its own resources to start the adoption application process and proceed through the pre-placement assessment (home study) stage before applying for financial assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us at Lifesong Canada as early as you want in your journey as we want to partner with and encourage you every step of the way.

Our commitment for financial assistance occurs after your home study is completed and submitted along with your adoption grant application.

Do we need to repay the grant?

No, both direct grants and matching grants are gifted to the adopting family with no need for repayment.

Approved Adoptive Families

Some answers differ for families receiving support for post-adoptive counseling. See the post-adoptive-counseling section below for more information.

Basic Account information

You will be assigned a family account number upon approval. Please refer to or include this account number in all correspondence to Lifesong Canada.

Can others (i.e., relatives, friends, church, etc.) donate to my adoption?

Based on Canadian tax law, Lifesong Canada can only receive donations into a General Adoption Grant fund, which is then dispersed as adoption grants for successful applicants across Canada.

At Lifesong Canada, we are extremely committed to good stewardship of the funds entrusted to us. We know how important it is that your donation has the greatest impact possible in helping adoptive families bring their child home. When you donate to Lifesong Canada, 100% of your donation to an adoption grant goes to helping fund a Canadian Christian family’s adoption, without deducting anything for administration. 

  • Give online: Direct your friends and families to lifesongcanada.org/donate – choose the “General Adoption Fund”.
  • Give by e-transfer: Send an e-transfer to donate@lifesongcanada.org.
Are contributions to Lifesong Canada tax deductible?

Lifesong Canada will automatically send receipts for any contributions made by cash, cheque, credit card or e-transfer. Lifesong Canada is a registered charity in Canada and all donations are tax deductible in Canada.

How are donations handled for fundraisers as part of a matching grant?

Lifesong for Orphans Canada is unable to provide tax-deductible receipts for auctions, raffles, and other fundraisers involving the exchange of goods and/or services.

If someone is contributing a significant amount and would like a income tax receipt, instruct them to send the contribution directly to Lifesong Canada, referencing the ‘General Adoption Fund.’

What expenses are reimbursable and not reimbursable?

The following list is not all-inclusive:

  • Reimbursable: includes reasonable and necessary expenses directly related to the adoption such as court fees, home study fees, agency fees, lawyer fees, and postage.
    • Airfare for two adults (usually parents) plus the adoptive child[ren] when making in-country visits or for flights within Canada for domestic adoptions.
    • Travel expenses including lodging and transportation are reimbursable but we cannot reimburse for food.
  • Not Reimbursable: fundraising expenses, food, convenience fees, beds, diapers, and medical expenses when the child is home
How do I access my funds (for payments or reimbursements)?
  • Lifesong Canada disburses your funds to pay for qualifying, adoption-related expenses.
  • You may submit your requests for funds to the Family Account Manager via email at adoption@lifesongcanada.org.
  • When you email receipts, please use .pdf files.
  • Payment is always made based on available funds.
  • If you want the payment to go to a provider:
    • Specify the purpose and amount.
    • Upload a copy of the invoice/document showing what is owed.
    • Make sure the document you upload includes the mailing AND email address of the recipient.
    • Lifesong Canada does not wire money overseas. Please make arrangements with your agency if that is needed. If the agency agrees to wire funds, you may submit the agency’s invoice for the overseas expenses, and Lifesong Canada will send payment to the agency.
    • If you want the payment to go to an attorney, an individual (rather than a company), or an LLC (limited liability company), a W-9 needs to be on file with Lifesong Canada before payment can be made. Please send the W9 directly to the Family Account Manager.
  • If you want to be personally reimbursed:
    • Specify the purpose and amount for each expense.
    • Submit receipts as proof of payment. If you do not have a receipt, you can pair an invoice with a bank statement or front and back of a cheque to serve as a receipt.
    • For airfare, you must submit the itinerary showing name/dates/flights/ticketed—usually, it shows how the payment was made which is then proof of payment.
    • We require documentation that will satisfy the CRA.
What method of payment does Lifesong Canada use?
  • Lifesong Canada will send a cheque by default for payment.
  • Lifesong Canada can also send funds by e-transfer.
  • Lifesong Canada can also do a bank transfer if you provide your bank name, address, routing, and account number.

How long does my account stay open?
  • Your account remains open until your child is home or the adoption is complete, even if it carries a zero balance, according to whichever of the following conditions occurs first:
    • The adoption is “legally complete,” whether that occurs overseas or in Canada.
    • A maximum of one year after the child is in the home if the adoption is still not complete.
Does Lifesong Canada send any documentation for our tax records?
  • Lifesong Canada does not send any special year-end reports.
  • You may find it advantageous to consult with a CPA or tax attorney at the beginning of your adoption regarding your personal tax situation and how the adoption tax credit applies to your individual situation.

Post-Adoptive Counseling Families

What expenses are reimbursable?

Expenses covered for adopted child(ren), parents, or siblings include:

  • Counseling fees such as EMDR, Neurofeedback and other therapies
  • In-Home Intensive Care and Training
  • Resources to help you learn, grow in relational based, trauma competent parenting
  • Approved training for parents including conferences like Refresh, Hope for the Journey, etc.

The grant may not be used for medical treatments.

How do I access my funds (for payments or reimbursements)?
  • Lifesong Canada disburses your funds to pay for qualifying, counseling-related expenses.
  • You may submit your requests for funds to the Family Account Manager via email at adoption@lifesongcanada.org.
  • When you email receipts, please use .pdf files.
  • Payment is always made based on available funds.
  • If you want the payment to go to a provider:
    • Specify the purpose and amount.
    • Upload a copy of the invoice/document showing what is owed.
    • Make sure the document you upload includes the mailing AND email address of the recipient.
  • If you want to be personally reimbursed:
    • Specify the purpose and amount for each expense.
    • Submit receipts as proof of payment. If you do not have a receipt, you can pair an invoice with a bank statement or front and back of a cheque to serve as a receipt.
    • We require documentation that will satisfy the CRA.
How long does my account stay open?
  • Your account remains open for two years. At that time, you will be contacted to see if you are ready to close your account or if you would like your account through Lifesong Canada to continue.
  • If you want to close your account before two years, please let the Family Account Manager know.