New York Consolidated Laws, Benevolent Orders Law - BVO § 12. Placing minors by adoption

Any corporation created under section seven of this act or reorganized under section eleven thereof, for the purpose of acquiring and maintaining a home for the aged and indigent members of such order and their dependent surviving spouses and orphans, may place by adoption, according to law, minors placed in their custody;  provided authority so to do is given such corporation by the parent, guardian or other person or persons having the lawful custody of such minor or minors, if any such person or persons can be found, or, if not, by the person or persons having the actual custody of such minor or minors.