In a profession where high-net-worth clients dominate, the role of pro bono work in financial planning is often underappreciated. However, the Foundation for Financial Planning (FFP), led by CEO Jon Dauphiné, is working to change that by promoting financial planners’ engagement with underserved communities. Established nearly 30 years ago, the Foundation’s mission is simple yet profound: connect CFP® professionals with low- and moderate-income individuals who cannot afford fiduciary financial advice. By facilitating pro bono financial planning, FFP provides a vital service to families facing financial hardships, from domestic violence survivors to veterans and those with chronic illnesses.

Through its unique business-to-business approach, FFP partners with nonprofit organizations across the U.S. to offer financial guidance and education to vulnerable populations. As the financial planning profession continues to grow, so too does the importance of giving back. Jon Dauphiné and his team at FFP have worked tirelessly to bridge the gap between financial professionals and those in need, offering numerous opportunities for CFP® professionals to volunteer their expertise, transform lives, and in many cases, receive a rewarding personal experience in return.

Jon recently sat down with Hannah Moore, founder and owner of Amplified Planning, to talk about why pro bono matters for financial advisors. Hannah and her firm lead “the Externship Program,” an 8-week course for students of financial planning and other rising professionals seeking to gain knowledge and experience in the profession.

The Foundation has made significant strides in its efforts to foster pro bono work across the profession. “We’ve granted nearly $10 million over the years to support pro bono programs and activated over 30,000 financial planners,” Jon Dauphiné shares. “This work has helped hundreds of thousands of Americans tackle difficult financial situations.” The importance of this initiative lies not only in its scope but also in its uniqueness. While pro bono services in law, medicine, and dentistry are common, the concept of pro bono financial planning is relatively new. “There’s a huge need for financial planners to donate their time,” Dauphiné explains. “There’s so much financial confusion, and so many people don’t know where to turn for help.”

Dauphiné and the Foundation are intent on growing this movement across the financial planning profession. Through its partnerships with nonprofits, FFP helps these organizations create financial coaching programs, supplies grants, and connects them with CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) professional volunteers. These programs often serve communities dealing with specific challenges—everything from managing debt to navigating the financial impact of cancer treatment or a veteran’s reintegration into civilian life. “It’s not just about offering a single solution but about empowering these individuals to make better, informed financial decisions,” Dauphiné says.

The Foundation’s work is grounded in its partnerships with nonprofit organizations that serve underserved populations. FFP acts as a connector, bringing together the financial planning community and nonprofits in need of support. “We don’t work directly with clients,” Dauphiné explains. “Instead, we partner with nonprofits and provide them with the resources to build financial planning programs that can help their constituents. We connect these nonprofits to financial planners who donate their time.”

Nonprofits seeking assistance can post volunteer opportunities on FFP’s proprietary platform called ProBonoPlannerMatch.Org, where financial planners can browse available opportunities and sign up to assist. This platform is a valuable resource for connecting professionals with people who need their expertise, without the barriers of cost or access. According to Dauphiné, “We’re talking about basic financial needs, like budgeting, managing debt, and saving for emergencies. It’s not complicated work for financial planners, but it can be life-changing for the people receiving help.”

CFP® professionals often worry that their skills won’t translate when they volunteer to help individuals facing financial hardship. Dauphiné assures them that many of the issues faced by pro bono clients are well within the scope of a planner’s training. “Even if you’re used to working with high-net-worth clients, you’ll find that helping a single mother manage debt or navigate a medical emergency can be just as rewarding as anything you do in your paid practice,” he notes. “It really feeds the soul.”

Additionally, the Foundation offers training and webinars to ensure that planners are prepared for the unique challenges that pro bono clients may face. CFP® professionals can earn Continuing Education (CE) credits for attending these training sessions, making it easier for them to get involved while bolstering professional development. “The feedback we get from volunteers is overwhelmingly positive,” Dauphiné says. “Planners tell us it reminds them why they became financial planners in the first place.”

Pro bono financial planning doesn’t just offer advice—it transforms lives. Dauphiné shares a powerful example of a pro bono engagement that highlights the incredible impact financial planners can have. “We worked with a woman who was recently divorced, had several young children, and was dealing with the financial strain of caring for a child diagnosed with leukemia. She was stuck in a debt spiral and couldn’t see a way forward.” After receiving financial guidance, she was not only able to manage her immediate financial issues but also buy her first home. “That’s the kind of transformation we’re talking about. It’s about giving people the confidence to navigate their financial futures, even when things feel hopeless.”

These kinds of stories are more common than one might think. On the Foundation’s website, you can find a series of testimonials from clients and planners who have worked together to make meaningful change. Many clients report that having a trusted financial advisor who is focused solely on their best interests—not on selling products—was the key to making better financial decisions.

For financial planners, the experience of providing pro bono advice is equally rewarding. “It’s not just the clients who benefit. Financial planners often tell us that pro bono work recharges their passion for the profession,” Dauphiné adds. “They’re able to make a real difference in people’s lives, and that has an emotional and professional impact that can be even more fulfilling than working with high-net-worth individuals.”

Whether you are an aspiring financial planner or an established professional, there are many ways to get involved with pro bono financial planning. For students, the Foundation offers opportunities to gain practical experience that counts toward the experiential requirement for certification. While students may not yet be eligible to volunteer directly through ProBonoPlannerMatch.Org, some nonprofits welcome volunteers under the supervision of a CFP® professional, creating opportunities for students to gain experience while giving back.

Dauphiné also encourages students to explore university or college-run pro bono programs. “Some schools now offer practicum opportunities that allow students to work with underserved populations under the guidance of their professors or local CFP® professional volunteers,” he notes. “It’s a great way to build skills, gain experience, and connect with mentors in the industry.”

For CFP® professionals, Dauphiné recommends joining ProBonoPlannerMatch.Org and taking advantage of the platform’s user-friendly tools. “If you’re a CFP® professional, it’s as simple as creating a profile, browsing opportunities, and selecting a program that interests you,” he explains. “It’s a low-risk, high-reward way to give back. Plus, FFP even extends complimentary E&O Liability Insurance to all planners who connect to their opportunities through our website, just to provide additional peace of mind.”

As financial planners, professionals are entrusted with helping individuals and families navigate some of life’s most important decisions. However, many Americans struggle to access objective financial guidance, especially those in low-income or vulnerable situations. Dauphiné stresses that pro bono work is essential not just for the individuals it helps, but for the profession as a whole. “When you make pro bono a part of your practice, you’re demonstrating your commitment to the profession’s fiduciary responsibility and to giving back to the communities that need it most.”

For young planners considering their career paths, Dauphiné’s advice is clear: “Ask about pro bono policies when you’re job hunting. Firms that encourage pro bono work often have a culture of giving back, and that’s the kind of firm you want to work for.”

Pro bono financial planning isn’t just a way to give back; it’s a transformative tool that can change the trajectory of individuals’ financial lives. Whether it’s helping a family create a budget, advising on debt management, or providing confidence during a financial crisis, the work done by volunteers through FFP makes a real difference. By connecting financial planners with those in need, the Foundation is not only strengthening communities but also reinforcing the core values of the profession.

As Jon Dauphiné aptly puts it, “The work we do isn’t just about solving financial problems—it’s about empowering people to take control of their financial futures. And that’s a powerful thing.”