National Adoption Month

Categories:: Cause
Tags:: Children Family Parents
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Every November
Holiday emoji:: 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

National Adoption Month recognizes the profound impact of adoption every November. This month acknowledges the efforts of those whose lives have been touched by adoption and encourages learning about the process. Discover ways to support children waiting for families, celebrate adoptive families, and make a difference in the adoption community.

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History
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FAQs
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Expected National Adoption Month Deals

National Adoption Month focuses on awareness and fundraising rather than commercial deals. Organizations like the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, AdoptUSKids, and the National Council For Adoption often partner with corporations for donation drives, matching gift programs, and awareness campaigns throughout November. Brands such as Build-A-Bear Workshop have historically supported children’s charities, sometimes including those focused on adoption, through sales of specific products or in-store fundraising. Similarly, companies like Hallmark might feature adoption-themed cards or stories. Look for opportunities to donate directly to reputable adoption agencies and advocacy groups, or participate in their virtual and in-person events. We will update this page with confirmed live campaigns as November approaches.

Platform Guide for National Adoption Month

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalAdoptionMonth. Share stories of adoptive families and resources for prospective parents.

Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #NationalAdoptionMonth. Highlight corporate social responsibility initiatives supporting adoption and foster care.

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalAdoptionMonth. Post inspiring visuals, infographics on adoption facts, and celebrate diverse family structures.

National Adoption Month Hero

Dave Thomas

Dave Thomas (1932-2002) was the founder of Wendy's and a passionate advocate for adoption. Adopted himself, he established the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption in 1992, dedicating his life to finding loving homes for children in foster care. His foundation has since become a leading voice in adoption advocacy, funding programs that connect children with permanent families and raising national awareness.

History of National Adoption Month

Every year, there are more and more children in need of finding secure and safe families. National Adoption Month sheds light on the process and the positive impacts of adoption.

The state of Massachusetts was the first to promote adoption-related efforts in 1976. Governor Mike Dukakis announced the first week of November as “Adoption Week” to promote awareness of the need for adoptive families for children in the foster care system. The idea slowly grew in popularity and spread throughout the nation. Following this, in 1984, President Gerald R. Ford made adoption week a national event. As the popularity of this week grew, more states started participating, and it became difficult to fit all the events into a period of seven days. This was when President Bill Clinton extended the week-long event into a whole month, which came to be known as National Adoption Month, which is celebrated globally.

National Adoption Month is a chance for all — individuals, families, businesses, organizations, communities, states, and the government — to celebrate adoption. Adoption is encouraged as a positive way to grow families and take children out of foster care. Many fundraising drives, recognition dinners, community activities, and awareness campaigns are held all across the nation to observe this month.

National Adoption Month also includes National Adoption Day, November 20. This day is observed in courthouses all across the country, where thousands of adoptions are finalized simultaneously on the Saturday directly after it. Courts are encouraged to deal with the backlog of adoptions on this day. World Adoption Day is also celebrated in this month, on November 9, and is a global awareness day for this important cause.

National Adoption Month timeline

1851

Adoption of Children Act

Adoption of Children Act passes in the state of Massachusetts.

1948

First Cross-Racial Adoption

The first cross-racial adoption of a black child by white parents takes place in Minnesota.

1970

Highest Number of Adoptions

The number of adoptions peaks in 1970 with an estimated 175,000 annual adoptions.

2017

LGBT Adoptions

Adoption by LGBT individuals or same-sex couples is legal in all fifty states as of June 2017.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National Adoption Month

Local businesses can honor National Adoption Month by partnering with nearby adoption agencies or foster care organizations. Restaurants might host ‘dine and donate’ events, contributing a portion of sales to support children awaiting families. Retailers could organize donation drives for essential items for foster children or offer special discounts to adoptive families. Professional services, such as legal firms or financial planners, can offer pro-bono consultations or workshops on the adoption process, demonstrating community support for this vital cause.

National Adoption Month FAQs

When is National Adoption Month?

National Adoption Month runs throughout November 2026, from Sunday, November 1, through Monday, November 30. It’s a dedicated time to raise awareness and celebrate families.

How many children are waiting for adoption in the U.S. foster care system?

As of recent data, approximately 117,000 children are waiting to be adopted from the U.S. foster care system. This figure includes children whose biological parents’ rights have been terminated.

How many adoptions occur annually in the U.S.?

Roughly 135,000 children are adopted in the U.S. each year. This includes adoptions from foster care, private domestic adoptions, and international adoptions, reflecting a diverse range of family-building paths.

What are the different types of adoption?

There are several types of adoption, including foster care adoption, private domestic adoption (infant adoption), and international adoption. Each path has unique legal requirements and processes, offering various options for prospective parents.

How To Observe National Adoption Month

Attend events in your community
There are many events organized being held across the country during National Adoption Month. Attend local events being organized in your town or city and educate yourself about adoption procedures, laws, and history.
Volunteer with an adoption organization
Help out at your local foster care organizations or a children's home during your free time. Even your tiniest efforts can make a huge difference in all these children’s lives. You can even mentor a child who is aging out of the foster care system.
Share information
Spread awareness about adoption with your friends and family. Encourage your neighborhoods, communities, cities, and states to take a stand on adoption. You can even spread the word via social media by sharing adoption-positive articles and links.

5 Facts About Adoption

Adoption statistic in U.S. families
One out of every 25 families with children have an adopted child.
Adopted Americans
Around 7 million Americans are adopted.
Average waiting time for getting adopted
The time an average child waits for an adoptive family is more than three years.
Adoption agencies in the U.S.
The U.S. has more adoption agencies than any other country.
International adoptions
Americans adopt children globally, although the numbers have declined since 2018.

Why Is National Adoption Month Important?

Honor the ones involved in the adoption process
This month allows us to honor families with adopted children and thus make a difference. They are the reasons why adoption is seen as a positive way to grow a family. They inspire many others, who see how beneficial the process is for all those who are involved.
Recognition for the children
All children deserve a safe, loving, and supportive environment to grow. This initiative spreads awareness about adoption and sheds light on the hundreds of thousands of children waiting for families.
Encourages people to get involved
National Adoption Month provides everyone with the opportunity to get involved by encouraging our neighborhoods, communities, cities, and states to take a stand. This month also gives businesses and companies a chance to support adoption.