In our newest episode of GrantTalk, Libby Hikind, founder and CEO of GrantWatch.com and author of The Queen of Grants, visits with Rachel Roth, Senior Director of Grants and Programs at the Foundation for Financial Planning (FFP). With a personal passion for financial literacy that stems from being a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Libby opens the conversation by emphasizing the importance of financial education for all ages.
Rachel shares insights into her career path, which has always focused on leveraging professional skills to help those in need. That mission aligns perfectly with the work of FFP, which connects certified financial planners (CFPs) to nonprofit organizations serving individuals who lack access to quality financial advice.
FFP: Built on Service and Professional Generosity
FFP was formed three decades ago by a group of financial planners eager to give back to their communities. These professionals recognized that while many Americans need financial guidance, not everyone can afford it. The foundation was established to bridge that gap.
Rachel explains that FFP is a grant maker that supports nonprofit organizations already embedded in communities across the United States. These nonprofits run pro bono financial planning programs using CFPs. Through funding, technical assistance, and training, FFP helps these programs grow and succeed. Their proprietary platform, ProBonoPlannerMatch.org, connects nonprofits to volunteer planners who offer personalized, one-on-one financial guidance — for free.
FFP: Who They Serve and How It Works
From cancer patients and natural disaster victims to exonerees, first-time homebuyers, and widows, the Foundation’s reach is both broad and deep. Rachel highlights FFPs support strategy with the story of an individual who was newly released from prison after having been wrongfully imprisoned for 34 years. Now that he is free, an FFP-supported nonprofit called After Innocence is providing him with financial counseling.
These engagements go beyond advice—they help people rebuild. Volunteers assist with budgeting, savings, debt prioritization, and understanding public benefits. While FFP doesn’t provide direct services to individuals, the nonprofits they support are equipped to connect people with wraparound services like workforce development and income support.
FFP: Spreading Impact Nationwide
Currently, FFP funds around 20 organizations annually. To ensure geographic equity, they strive to distribute grants across the U.S. Their platform currently hosts about 3,000 CFPs ready to serve, but they aim to expand this number. Through partnerships with the CFP Board, FFP can target specific regions or language needs, ensuring nonprofits find the right volunteers for their communities.
Engagements can happen in person or virtually, depending on client needs and technological access. Virtual meetings are included, offering flexibility for both clients and volunteers.
FFP Grant Available on GrantWatch
Grants range from $10,000 to $40,000 and typically cover program-related costs such as staff time, volunteer recruitment, training, and oversight. Notably, the financial planners themselves volunteer their time, reinforcing the foundation’s commitment to a pro bono tradition similar to that seen in the legal profession.
Available on GrantWatch: Grants for Nonprofits to Provide Free Financial Planning Services to Underserved Populations
FFP: A Resource Beyond Grants
Importantly, organizations don’t need to receive funding from FFP to access its network of volunteers. Any nonprofit can post a financial planning opportunity on ProBonoPlannerMatch.org. Libby and Rachel discuss how nonprofits can incorporate financial counseling into their goals and use FFP’s platform to deliver the service.
This also opens the door for institutions like colleges and universities. Student loan debt remains a major issue, and financial counseling could help students stay enrolled and learn essential financial management skills early.
FFP: Looking Ahead
FFP’s current grant application cycle is now open, with awards to be announced in the fall for 2026 funding. Rachel encourages interested organizations to apply through Common Grant or visit their listing on GrantWatch.com.
Libby closes the episode by highlighting the importance of starting financial literacy young, mentioning her own initiative; a children’s book titled Twig Literacy that teaches financial responsibility through a story about beavers and twigs.
Together, Libby and Rachel underscore a shared goal: to build a culture where financial literacy is accessible, personalized, and rooted in compassion. Through FFP’s programs, thousands of Americans are getting the guidance they need; not just to survive, but to thrive!
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How to Connect with FFP
- 📞 (202) 864-5183
- 🌐 FFP
- 📍1425 K Street NW, Suite 602
Washington, DC 20005 - 🆇 X
- 📺 YouTube Channel
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