Buckingham Grants $60,000 to Nonprofits Supporting Financial Literacy

ST. LOUIS (December 6, 2022) - Seven nonprofit organizations have been awarded funding in 2022 as part of Buckingham’s Pillar Grant Program. Launched in 2015, this annual philanthropic effort is the firm’s dedicated initiative that seeks to support the mission of organizations working to better the lives of people in the communities that Buckingham calls home.

“Buckingham is proud to recognize and support the important work of the nonprofits awarded the 2022 Pillar Grants,” said Adam Birenbaum, CEO, Buckingham Strategic Wealth. “With a shared passion to progress, serve and do right, we are honored to support these organizations’ great work in the community.”

In 2022, Buckingham focused their consideration on organizations and programs who promote financial literacy for adults ages 18 and older, helping participants with practical knowledge, resources and skills to make financial decisions that promote self-sufficiency, stability and well-being.

The important work the firm’s 2022 Pillar Grant recipients will pursue includes:

Boys Hope Girls Hope of Colorado, Aurora, CO
Boys Hope Girls Hope of Colorado works with first generation college students to determine affordable pathways to graduation; supports these collegians towards graduation with minimal debt through individualized guidance and encourages these collegians to timely graduation so they are working in a career field of their choice. This guidance includes annual review of budgets, loans (and their long-term implications), assistance with paid internships and work study and workshops on financial literacy.

CASA, Langley Park, MD: CASA is the foremost immigrant organization in the mid-Atlantic region and a national leader in supporting immigrant families and ensuring that all individuals have the core supports necessary for full participation in society. The Bilingual Financial Literacy and Immigrant Integration Program provides a range of financial literacy services, including financial counseling, budgeting, assistance in opening bank accounts and free tax preparation.

Cornerstone Corporation, St. Louis, MO: In recognizing poverty as trauma, Cornerstone CDC is disrupting historical approaches associated with economic mobility and affordable housing by applying the Healing-Centered Community Development Framework to their service delivery. Innovating around economic mobility solutions, Cornerstone is piloting an economic empowerment program, the “In the Black” Fellows, an 18-month cohort focused on healing from money trauma as the primary entry point into discussions about budgeting and wealth creation.

Neighborhood Allies, Pittsburgh, PA: Using their Healthy Neighborhoods Framework as a roadmap, Neighborhood Allies helps support neighborhood-based investments that seed creative community ideas. Their program supports people and organizations by providing on-ramps to prosperity through capital programs and strategic resources, connecting community builders to forge stronger networks that drive transformative change and impact the community by co-creating solutions to long-term social problems.

Rung for Women, St. Louis, MO: Rung for Women’s mission is to inspire women to climb the economic ladder. Rung offers professional and personal development opportunities, along with a supportive community of women who want to earn a thriving wage and overcome the systemic economic, social and health barriers to wealth creation. They are dedicated to empowering women to grow and achieve sustained independence through co-located and coordinated educational, professional and economic resources.

The Ark and Common Wealth, Athens, GA: Common Wealth Athens (CWA) is an innovative program of The Ark providing financial capability services and education to empower Athens’ low-wage workers. CWA provides trauma-informed financial education and access to specially designed financial products such as re-banking and CWA Opportunity Loans to clients of area workforce development partners.

Wesley Community Center, Houston, TX: The Financial Stability Program includes employment/career counseling, one-on-one financial coaching and education and connecting clients with income support (i.e., utilities assistance/health insurance). Enrolling participants in adult education/workforce training programs will learn financial health by connecting with pro bono financial planners to help them build and learn how to support long-term financial goals.

More information about the program can be found at https://buckinghamwealthpartners.com/culture/pillar-grant-program.

About Buckingham Wealth Partners

Buckingham Wealth Partners (“BWP” or “Buckingham”) is a growing nationwide organization of advisors, financial specialists and nationally recognized thought leaders committed to providing evidence-driven, comprehensive wealth management solutions while acting in the best interest of its clients at all times. BWP comprises Buckingham Strategic Wealth (“BSW”), a fiduciary advisory services firm, and Buckingham Strategic Partners (“BSP”), offering a comprehensive wealth management platform and suite of services to a nationwide community of independent financial advisors. Buckingham’s proprietary Design. Build. Protect.™ methodology, which is tailored to each client’s specific needs and goals, is the foundation for the organization’s distinct investment and financial planning strategies.

Headquartered in St. Louis, MO, Buckingham Wealth Partners was founded in 1994 and has clients in all 50 states with more than 600 associates. Buckingham Strategic Wealth and the community of advisors that make up Buckingham Strategic Partners collectively manage or administer more than $54 billion as of September 30, 2022.