Adoption & Foster Family Building Partners
Our Trusted Network of Partners—Organized for Your Journey
The agencies listed below represent those we know and trust well. These organizations have demonstrated experience supporting LGBTQ+ individuals, couples, and diverse family structures, and they share our commitment to ethical, transparent, and child-centered practices. Because adoption and foster care are regulated at the state level, families must work with a licensed agency or legal professional authorized to operate in their home state.
If one of the agencies listed below serves your state, we encourage you to reach out to them directly. Families in other states should visit our “National Referral Resources” section for access to two reputable national directories to help you identify licensed, LGBTQ+ affirming adoption and foster care professionals near you. We strongly encourage working with agencies that have clear nondiscrimination policies, experience serving LGBTQ+ families, and a demonstrated commitment to trauma-informed, child-centered care.
Finally, pro-choice proponents will feel especially supported working with one of the adoption agencies listed below with an “AO” designation, which means they subscribe to the belief that counseling of pregnant people should include all options, including termination.
Adoption Agencies
Advocates for Children and Families
Adoption agency based in Florida and serving waiting families nationwide except New York state (AO)
Adoptions From the Heart
Adoption agency serving Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York Pennsylvania, and Virginia
Paths for Families
Adoption and foster adopt agency serving DC, Maryland, and Virginia (AO)
Alliance for Children
Adoption agency with offices in Arkansas, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Southern Florida, and Texas; Intercountry adoption agency
Friends in Adoption
Adoption agency serving Northeastern US; also sometimes works with waiting families nationwide (AO)
JustChoice
Adoption agency serving Ohio; also works with waiting families nationwide (AO)
Pact: An Adoption Alliance
Adoption agency based in California and serving waiting families nationwide except New York state (AO)
Spence-Chapin
Domestic adoption agency serving New York, parts of New Jersey, and Arizona; Intercountry adoption agency works with waiting families nationwide
Vista del Mar
Adoption, foster, and foster-adopt agency serving California; Intercountry adoption agency
You Gotta Believe
Adoption agency serving New York state that has a focus on providing homes for children and older youth in the foster system
Foster Care Agencies
Paths for Families
Adoption and foster adopt agency serving DC, Maryland, and Virginia (AO)
National Referral Resources
National Council For Adoption
Scroll to the section titled “Find an Agency or Attorney.”
Select “Adoption Agency,” then choose the relevant service (e.g., domestic adoption or adoption from foster care).
Important: Check the box labeled “Services for LGBTQ persons” before clicking Submit.
National SOGIE Center
The National SOGIE Center promotes the wellbeing of LGBTQ+ children, youth, and young adults and their families. They give foster care, child welfare, and other professionals the training and tools to provide affirming care for young people of every sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression. They also run All Children – All Families (ACAF), a national program for foster care and adoption agencies, and keep a list of affirming agencies across the country. If you need help finding one near you, reach out using
Wendy's Wonderful Kids
Here you can find at least one LGBTQ-affirming adoption or foster care agency in every U.S. state and Canadian province through this philanthropic program run by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, which requires its partners to sign a non-discrimination commitment to receive funding. (Note that most of these agency listings are foster agencies.)
Adoption Attorneys
Find experienced LGBTQ+ affirming reproductive or adoption attorneys in your home state through either of the reputable national directories linked here: LGBTQ + Bar Association’s Family Law Institute | Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys
We strongly recommend working with counsel who understands the unique legal considerations facing LGBTQ+ individuals, couples, and multi-parent families.
Mental Health Providers
Contact Dr. Maureeen Satyshur
Dr. Maureen Satyshur PhD PMH-C
Conatct Gail Zarbin
Gail Zarbin L.C.S.W.
Gail Zarbin, L.C.S.W. (she/her) is a licensed clinical social worker and adoptive mother with more than 30 years of experience supporting LGBTQ+ individuals and couples through adoption and adoption from foster care. She provides affirming, developmentally informed counseling to help parents prepare emotionally, understand attachment and behavioral challenges, and adjust to parenting children of different ages. Gail supports families adopting newborns and older children, helping parents build connection, confidence, and stability as they grow through adoption and foster care.
Grants
Gift of Adoption
Gift of Adoption provides grants to complete the adoptions of children in vulnerable circumstances—giving them permanent families and a chance to thrive.
Help Us Adopt
Help Us Adopt reduces the financial burden of adoption by awarding life-changing adoption grants up to $30,000 for domestic and international adoption.