Pro Bono in Practice
We are honored to share that Yeske Buie is part of the Foundation for Financial Planning’s Pro Bono in Practice initiative, a groundbreaking effort to formalize how financial planning firms can embed pro bono service into their culture and operations. In every enduring profession – from medicine to law – pro bono work is a defining pillar, and we believe financial planning is no different. While our work for our Clients is our highest priority, our participation is a reflection of our commitment to being a values-based firm and serves as a profound opportunity to make a difference for those facing hardship and crisis.
The purpose of the Foundation’s initiative is to highlight how firms of all sizes can make pro bono service a core part of their identity. Two other notably larger firms with formalized pro bono policies also partnered with the Foundation, and together, we serve as an example of how it’s commitment, not size, that allows firms to make a tangible impact on underserved communities.
The Foundation’s full report includes detailed case studies that list the firms’ guidelines, expectations, communications, and real-world examples from a pro bono client engagement. We share a few excerpts from Yeske Buie’s case study below.
As it states in the study, pro bono work isn’t an afterthought at Yeske Buie – it’s a reflection of our values and our belief that sharing unconditionally is the path to abundance. To ensure our efforts remain thoughtful and consistent, we’ve committed to pro bono service as an ongoing priority with Sydney Woodward, our Pro Bono Coordinator, leading and managing our work each year.
A History of Commitment – 30 Years of Impact
The Foundation for Financial Planning serves as the nation’s only nonprofit charity solely devoted to supporting the delivery of pro bono financial planning, and we believe so strongly in the importance of the work that they do that we’ve consistently given our time, our talent, and our treasure to the organization for over a decade.
Our Founding Partners both served as Chair of the Foundation’s Board (Elissa in 2013 and Dave in 2024) and left lasting impacts on its strategic vision and outreach.
In 2018, Yusuf Abugideiri participated in the Foundation’s Pro Bono for Cancer initiative, helping a couple navigate the financial challenges of a cancer diagnosis.
Sydney Woodward has organized the FPA of SF’s Annual Financial Planning Day for the past two years which offers pro bono coaching to those in need.
This year, the Foundation is celebrating it’s 30th anniversary, a milestone that reflects not only longevity but extraordinary impact. Since its inception, the Foundation has helped more than 767,000 people in need receive free, quality financial guidance. And their momentum just keeps growing! Last year, the Foundation awarded record-high grant funding of $1,211,000 to local and national pro bono programs, and increased the number of CFP® professionals available for pro bono matches by 31%. They have helped survivors of domestic violence, individuals living with cancer, wounded veterans, and so many others navigate financial decisions with dignity and hope, and are committed to reaching a minimum of 100,000 underserved families annually with free financial advice by the year 2030. We feel immense pride in our long-standing support of the Foundation’s mission, and are excited to deepen our engagement in the years ahead.
In honor of the milestone year, the Foundation hosted an anniversary gala earlier this year (photos below) that some of our team in Virginia had the honor of attending. It was a powerful evening of reflection, inspiration, and commitment, and reminded us that while much has been accomplished, there’s still so much more to do. We’re excited to accept the call to action in continuing to lead by example as active participants in this year’s Pro Bono in Practice initiative, as well as in many more programs to come. Cheers to Giving Big!
