In 2005, after struggling to conceive “the old-fashioned way”—as Becky Fawcett puts it—the former marketing executive endured an exhausting succession of blows: five rounds of IVF, three pregnancies and three miscarriages.

Today she considers this period in her life a blessing. Because all those setbacks and heartaches? They ultimately led her to adopt, which, in turn, led her to her purpose.

Now a proud mom of two, Fawcett is the founder and president of HelpUsAdopt.org, a grant program dedicated to easing the financial burden of adoption. The price, for those who are unaware, can be exceptionally steep—upwards of $40,000. The kicker: most adoption grants max out around $2,500 to $5,000.

HelpUsAdopt.org, on the other hand, offers funding up to $20,000, and never charges an application fee. “We award large, life-changing, problem-solving grants,” she says, adding that, in a first of its kind in the U.S., her nonprofit welcomes applicants of all backgrounds, beliefs and identities.

“Making adoption more financially accessible to all and doing so on a platform of family and religious equality is crucial,” explains Fawcett, who launched the organization in 2007 with her husband Kipp. “We are built on a platform of equality, compassion and kindness.”

We are proud to join Fawcett in her mission and will be donating proceeds from every veronicabeard.com order to the nonprofit, from now to the end of March. “We’ve long been advocates of Becky’s work with HelpUsAdopt.org,” says Veronica Miele Beard. “Her commitment to building families through adoption is extraordinary and inspiring.” Adds Veronica Swanson Beard: “As mothers, we cannot think of a cause that resonates with us more.”

Why This Matters

Most adoption grants max out around $2,500 to $5,000—despite the fact that the average adoption costs $40,000, an amount that’s typically paid upfront.

Expenses range from social worker visits, agency fees and lawyers’ fees (for both adoptive parent(s) and birthmother) to the birthmother's living expenses, medical expenses and counseling expenses. In the case of international adoptions, there can be orphanage and country fees involved. And this is all without factoring in the cost of actually raising the child…

In talking about how adoptions are cost-prohibitive, Fawcett puts it best: “What happens if babies and children aren't adopted? What happens if they never grow up with a home? A parent? Guidance and love? The answers are grim and these children—both here in the U.S. and around the globe—deserve better.”

How Your Donations Help

Helpusadopt.org awards large grants, up to $20,000. And, unlike other organizations, there is no application fee. “We do one thing and we do it well,” explains Fawcett. “We build families through our grant program. It is so simple—the more money we raise, the more children who come home.”

Within 60 days of making a donation, your money is put into action. “That is such great donor impact and assurance that your donations are changing the lives of the children we serve,” says Fawcett.

Helpusadopt.org is the nation’s only non-discriminatory adoption grant program. It supports all types of families (married couples, single parents and LGBT families), all types of adoptions (domestic, international, foster care), all types of religions, and does not require a statement of faith.

To date, HelpUsAdopt.org has awarded 692 adoption grants totaling over $6.6 million—or, to put in another way, that's 692 families who have received the necessary financial help to bring their children home.

From now to the end of March, we will donate a portion of proceeds from every single veronicabeard.com order to HelpUsAdopt.org, which helps families in the U.S. overcome the financial obstacles of adoption. #VBGIVESBACK