The Foundation for Financial Planning has introduced a new educational resource designed to prepare the next generation of financial planners for pro bono work, aiming to address a growing demand among students and early-career professionals for more training in this area.
The curriculum, titled “Serving with Purpose: The Path to Pro Bono Financial Planning,” is available at no cost and was developed with grant support from the Foundation. It is intended for use in CFP Board Registered Programs, financial planning clinics, and professional training environments.
The material is structured to help learners develop the interpersonal skills needed to serve clients in underserved communities and to foster a sense of purpose and professional identity.
Recent research from the FFP shows high interest in pro bono service among those pursuing careers in financial planning. Nine-tenths (88%) of surveyed individuals expressed a desire for more content and institutional support related to pro bono financial planning in their educational programs.
“This curriculum gives educators and practitioners practical tools to inspire and equip the next generation of planners to serve with empathy, cultural humility, and skill,” said Jon Dauphiné, chief executive of the Foundation for Financial Planning.
According to Dauphiné, cultural humility and emotional intelligence are valuable for advisors to create affinity and trust with pro bono clients who may come from different backgrounds.
"It’s important for the advisor to meet the client where they are and to understand their goals rather than coming in with an 'I know best' attitude," he told InvestmentNews. "In FFP’s survey of more than 1,200 CFP professionals, about three-quarters of the respondents told us that pro bono enables them to 'interact with a more diverse client base' which 'makes me more effective as an advisor.'"
Dauphiné says the organization is making the resource freely available with the goal that “many organizations will use it and many future advisors will benefit.”
The curriculum was authored by Dorothy Durband of Texas Tech University, Sasha Grabenstetter and Emily Koochel of eMoney Advisor. It includes a range of educator resources, such as a facilitator’s guide and editable templates, as well as student learning tools like reflection guides, practice-based activities, and client-facing worksheets.
Sample course schedules in formats ranging from two to fifteen weeks will be also provided, allowing for flexibility across different educational settings.
Participants will explore topics including the history and value of pro bono financial planning, communication strategies, and approaches to supporting decision-making in communities facing financial challenges. Applied learning exercises – such as role play and simulated client interactions – are designed to help students gain practical experience.
The curriculum also addresses the financial realities often faced by underserved families, including exposure to high-cost alternative financial products. Dauphiné said it is crucial for volunteer advisors to understand how services like check cashing outlets, auto title lenders, and buy now-pay later apps work, as these are more commonly used by lower-income consumers that seek out pro bono services.
"These often come with exorbitant interest rates and fees and it is vital for the pro bono client to understand this and to be able to compare with other financial products that may be superior," Dauphiné says.
Dorothy Durband, one of the curriculum’s authors, noted that her students have found pro bono work to be both rewarding and professionally valuable.
“I’ve observed that when employers come recruiting on our campus, they often seek prospects who have done pro bono work, as they have had to think on their feet in real-world client engagements,” she said.
All materials are provided free of charge for educational use, with the Foundation for Financial Planning and the curriculum authors requesting credit when the resources are adopted or adapted.
"Pro bono engagements are so impactful because they build trust while at the same time helping the client to better navigate our complex economy and withstand financial shocks," Dauphiné says. "The pro bono guidance builds resilience and the pro bono clients are able to share what they have learned with others in the community, so there’s an amplification effect."
"There is a lack of trust in regard to the financial services industry in many underserved communities and also a belief that financial planning is only for the wealthy, he says. "Most lower-income people don’t have the funds to access truly objective, fiduciary advice.
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