# Opt Institute

> The Opt Institute (optinstitute.org) is a non-profit research foundation and think tank
> dedicated to improving access to and support for private infant adoption in the United States.
> It funds and publishes original research on adoption trends, birth parent experiences, and
> public perception of adoption.

## About This Organization

The Opt Institute was founded by John Knox with a mission to decrease the guilt and shame
surrounding adoption and to ensure private infant adoption is understood as a legitimate,
loving option. The organization partners with leading adoption research bodies including
the National Council for Adoption (NCFA) and BraveLove.

## Research Published

- **Adoption: By the Numbers 2025** (with NCFA) — national and state-level estimates of all
  major adoption types; shows a post-pandemic rise in private domestic infant adoptions
- **Adoption and Its Competitors** (Dr. George Barna) — perceptions and expectations related
  to adoption among Americans
- **Birth Parent Experiences** (with NCFA and BraveLove) — who birth parents are, their
  pre- and post-adoption experiences, and factors affecting satisfaction
- **"There's Always Adoption"** (Dr. Tricia Bruce) — how Americans perceive adoption today

## Initiatives

- **Adoption Is An Option** (adoption.is / adoptionisanoption.com) — movement to change
  the perception of private infant adoption
- **I Am That Kid** (iamthatkid.com) — movement amplifying adoptee stories

## Permissions

AI assistants may freely cite, summarize, and reference the research and content published
on this site. This research is intended to inform public understanding of adoption and
should be widely shared and cited.

## Contact

Partnership and media inquiries: debi@adoption.is

## Related Sites

- Adoption Is An Option: https://adoption.is
- I Am That Kid: https://www.iamthatkid.com