Interview with Becky Fawcett: Founder of HelpUsAdopt.org

Becky Fawcett is the founder of HelpUsAdopt.org, a national nonprofit dedicated to making adoption possible for families regardless of race, religion, marital status, gender identity, or sexual orientation. After confronting the high cost of adoption firsthand, Becky turned a deeply personal experience into a powerful mission, one that has since provided millions of dollars in grants to families hoping to adopt. Through HelpUsAdopt.org, she is reshaping what modern family-building looks like, championing inclusivity, and ensuring that love, not finances, determines who gets to become a parent.

I was lucky to catch up with Becky in New York City, where she lives with her family and two rescue dogs. In addition to discussing her work and advocacy, we also dove into fashion and beauty as she has an unmistakable sense of style. Read on to learn more about Becky, her incredible organization and what motivates her on a daily basis.

Jamie:  Hi Becky! I’d love to start off by hearing a little bit more about the incredible organization you founded and what makes it different.

Becky: Helpusadopt.org is a pretty great thing because it’s inclusive. That may sound like something obvious but in the adoption world it is not. Many adoption grant programs (and some adoption professionals) are religiously based and simply help what they feel a traditional family is and that leaves out most of this world. Helpusadopt.org is not religiously affiliated, truly helps families of all kinds, supports all types of adoption, doesn’t charge an application fee and awards large, life changing, problem solving grants up to $30,000. We are a solution driven organization not a band aid organization.

Jamie: Why was it important for you to create this organization?

Becky: First things first, I am a problem solver and I love to create performance based results. Second, I don’t understand a world where equality isn’t a given. To think that organizations won’t help someone adopt a child because of who they love, what their marital status is, who they worship or what they look like? I don’t understand that. I don’t think that charging an application fee is “help” and I wanted to see a grant organization that solved the problem for a family with one large grant if necessary. I sat down and wrote a business plan for what I wanted to see in an adoption grant program – what kind of adoption grant program would I support? The answer was Helpusadopt.org

Jamie: What has been your greatest achievement?

Becky: I don’t think it’s happened yet.

Jamie: Great answer. I interview women that I find inspirational – like you!  Who are the women you find most inspirational and why?

Becky: I am inspired by many women.  I am inspired by women who are true to themselves and stand up for what they believe in even when that means swimming upstream. I am inspired by women who follow their dreams and work hard to achieve them. I am inspired by women who stand up for others and who clap for and cheer for other women and support them in the workplace. I am inspired by our grant applicants (ok so some are men). I am inspired by women who pivot – especially in mid-life. I am inspired by my children’s birthmothers and their journeys every second of every day. But the women who have the most impact on me every day are my daughters because of the amazing women they are becoming.

A DAY IN THE LIFE:

Jamie: What’s your morning beverage?

Becky: COFFEE.  I have a coffee or two at home (Nespresso) and then I get a Starbucks Grande Skim Cappuccino on the way to my office.  Occasionally you might see a Diet Coke make an early morning appearance.

Jamie: Ok, so mornings = caffeine! What does a typical work day look like for you?

Becky: There is no typical day for me and I love that. It’s not for everyone, but my days are never the same and always full speed ahead. My day starts and ends with my dogs. When you live in the city having dogs is almost a full time job. Then, once I get the girls off to school, I take the bus to work. I love NYC public transportation. At work I have a team of six and I work with everyone and every department, sometimes more sometimes less depending on what’s going on. My main job is fundraising and I love that because our donors are incredible humans who truly care about the families that we build and want to change the world. My job is a balancing act and I tend to work outside of the normal business day because the harder I work, the more kids that get to come home. At the end of the day, I take that bus home again and have dinner and spend time with my girls.

Jamie: Sounds like a full and fulfilling day! What are you listening to right now?

Becky: My playlist is all over the place – we may need another drink to actually share it with you!

FASHION/ BEAUTY:

Jamie: Not only are you doing incredible work but you always look so stylish while doing it!  As a New Yorker, where are your favorite places to shop?

Becky: Well thank you for that compliment.  I love clothes and getting dressed, I always have. I love the Frankie Shop in Soho (and online) and Zara (in person and online) and I find Bergdorf Goodman to be one of the most beautiful stores in the world. Even to walk through for inspiration – it’s a true masterpiece in every way.

Jamie: If you’re currently shopping online, what’s in your cart?

Becky: Want to guess what’s in my cart? I’ll tell you this – it’s all black! I do shop online fairly often because these days stores don’t always stock things that I am looking for. I truly prefer the in person shopping experience more than online because you can touch and feel the fabrics, spot the details and try things on to see how they fit. I really hope that retail stores survive the current online environment and I truly miss the days of the independent boutique.

Jamie: I would have guessed all black by the way! What are your five favorite things you own?

Becky: YIKES! 5? Only 5? The Face of Adoption bag (photo above). It’s a Givenchy Nightingale bag that I’ve had forever and my friend Hathaway Hutton painted for me as a gift because she loves what we do—I love it–it’s my billboard and so special! My Christmas tree ornaments (I am going to count all of them as one thing). I am a storyteller and the ornaments on my tree tell the story of my life and the girls. Their adoption stories are represented on our tree many times over and every year when we decorate the tree it’s such a fun walk down memory lane for all of us. My family and friends photos – I have boxes and boxes and old fashioned albums. I grew up and went to college in a time before iPhones so these pictures can’t be replaced. I have one of my grandmother’s Chanel bags and I adore it because it was hers and she had such style. Last but not least, my Veronica Beard hand-painted “I love NY” blazer. It is from a while ago and was a limited edition that sold out.

Jamie: What beauty products do you use religiously? What’s currently on your counter?

Becky: This is just the tip of the iceberg, but certainly my favorites. The minute Adipeau came into my line of vision saying it was the miracle for “menopause and mature skin” I didn’t even need to know why and I’ve been using it ever since. Gee Beauty is by my friend Natalie Gee – her Prime Skin and cleanser are two of my favorites. Danucera was created by my friend Danuta who owns Rescue Spa and the Cream Supreme and the Serum are hero products. Last but not least is Brooklyn Bronzed self tanner created by my friend Natalie who also happens to give one of the best NYC at home spray tans that there is!

SUPPORT HELPUSADOPT.ORG:

Jamie: Do you have any events coming up that people can join to support your organization?

Becky: Our Faces of Adoption NYC Gala is coming up on April 23rd. Click here for the details.

Jamie: Thank you for all of the wonderful work that you do. You are clearly making a difference in the lives of so many people and families!

You can also donate to HelpUsAdopt.org here and listen to Becky Fawcett’s new podcast, The Fawcett Report.

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