Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption Names 2026 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces
Survey findings highlight an increase in level of benefits offered to employees
Columbus, Ohio — The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is honored to announce the 2026 100 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces, leading the way in providing adoption and foster care benefits and recognizing the need for this life-changing support.
In its 20th year, the list includes a diverse group of organizations representing 22 industries. Survey participants offer an average of $16,716 in financial reimbursement for adoption costs. This is a 6% increase from 2025.
The average amount of paid leave for employees who adopt is 8.9 weeks. The amount of paid leave offered to foster parents is 9 weeks as most companies include foster parents in their paid leave policies. Both types of leave saw a slight increase from 2025.
Organizations on this year’s 100 Best list offering the most robust adoption benefits include: Ferring Pharmaceuticals, NVIDIA, MongoDB Inc., KPMG LLP and the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Ferring Pharmaceuticals and NVIDIA tied for the top spot. Both organizations have been at the top of the list in past years, and both offer unlimited financial reimbursement for adoption costs and 20 weeks of paid leave to adoptive parents.
The Foundation partnered with RTI International, an independent, nonprofit research institute, to survey employers across the United States and score participants based on three criteria: financial reimbursement, paid leave and the percentage of employees eligible for those benefits. In addition to the 100 Best and Adoption Advocates lists, the Foundation ranks employers by size, industry, paid leave, foster care benefits and impact.
Among this year’s survey participants, 103 employers qualified as a Certified Adoption-Friendly Workplace and 66 qualified as a Certified Foster-Friendly Workplace. Certified Adoption-Friendly Workplaces offer at least $5,000 in financial reimbursement and 6 weeks of paid leave. Certified Foster-Friendly Workplaces offer at least 2 weeks of paid leave for foster parents.
Deutsche Bank, which has been in the Top 100 for 19 years, is proud to be recognized for its robust benefits, reaching 15th on the 100 Best list this year. “At Deutsche Bank, we recognize that there no single path to building a family,” said Jackie McNeil, Head of Benefits, Americas. “Employees build their families in many ways, and our benefits are designed to support them wherever their journey begins. Offering adoption reimbursement reflects our commitment to ensuring all parents have access to meaningful support as they grow their families.”
Antunes, a manufacturer of high-quality kitchen innovations, was a new survey participant this year and proud to be recognized as an Adoption Advocate. “Offering adoption benefits at Antunes reflects our people-first culture by supporting our team members and their families, assisting with some financial barriers, and ensuring equitable access to building a family through diverse paths to parenthood,” said Corporate Social Responsibility Manager Sarah Bullock.
“Year after year, we’re heartened to welcome new organizations to this list and recognize their leadership and support for adoption and foster care benefits in the workplace,” said Rita Soronen, President & CEO of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. “I am always filled with hope and gratitude when I see employers choosing to invest in their employees and the families they love.”
The Wendy’s Company is designated with Forever Family emeritus status after holding the top spot in the survey for many years. The company continues to provide strong adoption benefits to employees.
The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption does not participate in the survey but offers its employees substantial adoption and foster care benefits.
View the complete 2026 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces lists, certifications and by industry and size breakouts at davethomasfoundation.org/AFW.
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About the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is a national, nonprofit public charity dedicated to finding permanent homes for the more than 130,000 children waiting in North America’s foster care systems. Created by Wendy’s® founder Dave Thomas who was adopted, the Foundation implements evidence-based, results-driven national service programs, foster care adoption awareness campaigns and innovative grantmaking. To learn more, visit davethomasfoundation.org.
Through its Adoption-Friendly Workplace program, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption promotes the importance of providing adoption and foster care benefits and offers employers a toolkit to help develop their policies. Each year, the Foundation also recognizes organizations across the U.S. leading the way in making adoption and foster care supported options for every working parent and share their stories of impact to inspire others. Learn more at davethomasfoundation.org/AFW.
