Adoption-Friendly Workplace
Benefits for Employees Becoming Adoptive and Foster Parents
More than 30 years ago, our founder, Dave Thomas, led an initiative advocating for adoption benefits in the workplace, because to him, it was just “the right thing to do.” The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption has carried that legacy forward through the Adoption-Friendly Workplace program.
About the Best Adoption-Friendly Workplace Survey
The Foundation partners with RTI International — an independent, nonprofit research institute — to conduct the Best Adoption-Friendly Workplace survey. Each year, the Foundation releases the 100 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces list, which recognizes organizations that strive to make adoption and foster care supported options for every working parent.
The 2026 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplace survey will open in January.
Become an Adoption-Friendly Workplace
Interested in implementing an adoption and foster care benefits policy, but not sure where to start? Register now for a FREE webinar on July 10 to learn how to implement a policy that is a win for the organization, a win for employees and most importantly, could be life-changing for a child waiting for a family.
Why Take the Survey?
Does your organization offer adoption and foster care benefits? Complete our survey to be recognized as a Best Adoption-Friendly Workplace. Participating organizations will have the opportunity to:
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Opt-in to a database of benefits offered by other organizations across the United States. Only organizations that opt in will have access.
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Access benchmark reports via an interactive, online dashboard. Your report will compare the benefits that your organization offers for financial reimbursement, paid leave and foster care to all other organizations that completed the survey, including breakdowns by industry and size.
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Earn a badge to feature on your organization’s website, social media channels and human resources materials.
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Elevate your organization’s story through optional guest articles featuring employee adoption stories and leadership quotes shared on our website and social media channels.
Criteria
Scores will be calculated according to the following criteria:
Financial Reimbursement
Paid Leave
Employee Eligibility
Getting Started: Adoption-Friendly Workplace Toolkit
As part of creating a family-friendly environment and maintaining a competitive benefits package, it’s important that employers provide adoption and foster care benefits to their employees. Adoption benefits typically include a combination of financial assistance, information and referral services, and paid or unpaid leave, while foster care benefits typically include paid or unpaid leave.
The Foundation surveys employers annually to determine best-in-class adoption and foster care benefits and provides a free toolkit to help organizations develop their benefits policies.
100 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplace Spotlights
Hilton Grand Vacations
“I learned of the adoption benefit assistance through Hilton Grand Vacations and was overjoyed!”
VML
“Knowing that VML was pledging their support, both financially and emotionally, brought us through some of the dark times and helped us celebrate in the best of times.”
Get Involved
If your organization doesn’t offer adoption and foster care benefits, download our toolkit to start the conversation today. Check out our Get Involved page to find more ways to help.