FFP powers pro bono financial planning for people in need by: providing grants to nonprofits to create and expand pro bono programs; connecting CFP® professionals to pro bono opportunities; developing signature programs with national reach; offering free financial planning resources; and raising the visibility of pro bono service within the financial planning profession. We focus much of our grantmaking and other efforts on areas where we believe we can have the greatest impact, including programs for military and veterans, programs for people with cancer, and activating volunteers in partnership with our national strategic partners, the Financial Planning Association® (FPA®) and Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board).
Hear from real clients
How can CFP® Professionals help?
CFP® professional volunteers can help low- to moderate- income individuals and families by providing FREE, objective, and ethical advice and action steps on topics such as budgeting, managing debt, saving for an emergency fund, and more. Many nonprofits use these volunteers as a supplemental coaching resource where they have a gap in financial coaching staff, while others use volunteers as a next stage resource to help clients with more complex financial questions such as buying a home or investing.
Pro Bono Financial Planning: An Overview for Nonprofits provides a deeper look at how CFP® professional volunteers can help, and 7 steps Nonprofits Can Use to Get Started provides actionable recommendations for nonprofit organizations developing a pro bono financial planning program.
Grants
HOW TO APPLY
Each year, FFP awards grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations to fund the development of programs connecting volunteer financial planners to individuals and families in crisis or need.
CURRENT GRANTEES
This year, FFP is proud to support 17 organizations leading pro bono financial planning programs for active military and veterans, low-income seniors, domestic violence survivors, people with cancer, and many more.
Volunteer Recruitment
On ProBonoPlannerMatch.Org, nonprofits can connect with CFP® professionals who want to provide free, no-strings-attached financial planning and advice to underserved populations.
Nonprofits can register here to post volunteer opportunities to recruit CFP® professionals for one-on-one or interactive, small group sessions with pro bono clients. These can be via stand-alone program offerings or part of a larger program at your organization that helps people who cannot otherwise access objective, ethical advice.
CFP® professional volunteers can contribute through: multi-touch financial coaching or financial mentorship programs; one-touch financial counseling clinics; small, interactive workshops where participants can get personal feedback, and more.
Training and Resources
FFP supports the development of financial planning program models that can be replicated and scaled for greater impact. We also offer turnkey resources for those interested in launching or growing similar pro bono programs in their communities.