The Institute was also recognized in the list of Top 20 adoption friendly workplaces nationally.
KALAMAZOO, Mich, June 24, 2026 — The Fetzer Institute has been recognized by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption as the No. 1 nonprofit and small organization in its 2026 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces rankings and earned the No. 18 spot nationally among the Top 100 adoption-friendly employers in the United States.
The annual rankings recognize organizations that provide meaningful support to employees as they grow their families through adoption and foster care. The Foundation partnered with RTI International, an independent nonprofit research institute, to evaluate participating employers based on financial reimbursement, paid leave, and employee eligibility for adoption benefits.
The recognition places the Fetzer Institute among the nation’s leading employers supporting adoption and family-building benefits and reflects the organization’s commitment to employee well-being and human flourishing.
“At Fetzer, we believe our people do their best work when they know they are supported both professionally and personally,” said Christine Lajoie, Director of Human Resources at the Fetzer Institute. “Adoption can be a deeply gratifying path to building a family, but it can also come with considerable financial and logistical challenges. We are proud to offer benefits that help ease those burdens and demonstrate our commitment to caring for employees throughout every stage of life.”
Eligible Fetzer employees receive reimbursement of up to $15,000 per adopted child for qualified adoption-related expenses, including agency and placement fees, legal and court costs, home studies, transportation, lodging, counseling, and other expenses directly related to the adoption process. Employees averaging 20 or more hours per week become eligible for adoption benefits after one year of employment.
The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption’s 2026 survey marks the 20th year of the rankings and emphasizes a growing pledge among employers to adoption and foster care benefits. This year’s participating organizations reported offering an average of $16,716 in financial reimbursement for adoption costs and nearly nine weeks of paid leave for adoptive parents.
“Our approach to adoption benefits is part of a larger mission to nurture whole-person well-being and build a community rooted in care and compassion,” Lajoie added. “We are grateful to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption for elevating the importance of workplace policies that help families grow and for recognizing employers that invest in their employees and the people they love.”
