MenuAs nineteen cyclists from across Australia complete their gruelling seven-day, 726km fundraising ride in Hobart yesterday, we are reminded of the passion and commitment shown by members of the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) to help those in need.
This year, another ten FPA members also took part in extreme hiking challenges in Tasmania, all in the name of raising money for disadvantaged Australian kids through the Future2 Foundation, the FPA’s philanthropic arm.
Beyond its ongoing Future2 fundraising efforts, the FPA has forged three new partnerships in 2017 including Cancer Council, Banqer, and Financial Executive Women (FEW), all of whom are represented at the sold-out FPA Congress in Hobart this week.
The Future2 Wheel Classic endurance cycle ride and Tasmanian Hiking Challenges raise much needed funds for Future2 to bring new opportunity and hope to socially and financially disadvantaged young Australians through its Make the Difference! grants program.
Since 2007, when Future2 was established on the initiative of FPA members, over $823,000 has been committed in grants to grassroots programs that transform the lives of young people who through no fault of their own, struggle to make a ‘go’ in life. Funded projects have been in the areas of financial literacy, skills training, work experience, community service and mentoring.
This year also saw the launch of a pilot Pro Bono Financial Planning Referral Service with the Cancer Council. The nationally structured referral program is helping families affected by cancer who are unable to afford the cost of financial advice, by connecting them with FPA members who can provide their services on a pro bono basis.
With the average cost of a cancer diagnosis estimated to be almost $50,000, these services make a significant contribution to the wellbeing of people affected by cancer by reducing stress and financial burden. By generously offering their time, financial planners are making a huge difference to families in need of assistance.
Another initiative that is helping boost financial literacy in schools is the FPA’s partnership with Banqer, an online interactive learning tool designed to assist teaching financial literacy and help boost motivation in primary school classrooms.
Schools introduced to Banqer by FPA members will have access to the online program, as well as support from a financial planner. The aim is to provide the program to 15,000 kids in local schools during 2017/18, allowing them to become curious, creative, and ultimately, confident with money. The Banqer program is currently available to Australian primary schools free of charge.
The FPA continues to support those who commit to high professional standards, education and ethics. As part of this, it wants to attract into the profession those who share the same values. The FPA’s collaboration with Financial Executive Women (FEW) is helping foster community, innovation and leadership among existing female financial planners, as well as encouraging more women to choose financial planning as their profession.
As part of the initiative, the FPA held two “Women in Wealth” networking events in Brisbane and Sydney in October 2017 and is planning to roll out more state-based events next year. At these events, each attendee is encouraged to invite a mentee, young planner or student to join them on a complimentary basis. Be sure not to miss leading social entrepreneur, Katerina Kimmorley, speaking at the FPA “Women in Wealth” breakfast at the FPA Congress in Hobart on 23 November.
It’s not too late to contribute to the riders and hikers who took part in the Future2 Wheel Classic and Tasmanian Hiking Challenges. To donate visit http://www.future2fundraising.org.au/event/wheelclassic2017/top_ten and http://www.future2fundraising.org.au/event/TasmanianChallenges2017/top_ten.
FPA members can read more about the Pro Bono Financial Planning Referral Service program with Cancer Council on the FPA website: www.fpa.com.au/probono.
FPA members who would like to refer a school to take part in the Banqer program should visit www.banqer.com.au/fpa.
