At Johnson Bixby, we’re known for helping our clients see possibilities in life and achieve their goals through financial planning and portfolio management. While clients trust us to guide them toward informed financial decisions, we also know the benefits of financial education extend far beyond our four walls. Having access to basic financial information and tools can uplift individuals, families and entire communities.
That’s why we’re passionate about fostering financial empowerment in our community.
Understanding Our Community’s Financial Needs
According to the 2024 Clark County Community Needs Assessment Survey and Report published last month, about 44% of participants voiced a desire for financial planning education. Seventy-four percent of respondents indicated that they simply don’t know where to turn for help.
Financial Empowerment: A Path to Possibilities
Financial empowerment is more than understanding how to balance a checkbook or save for retirement. It’s the foundation for making informed decisions about income management, debt repayment, long-term investing and planning for big life moments and changes.
Our approach to teaching financial empowerment includes teaching budgeting, spending, credit, investing and other personal finance topics in schools, libraries and community centers. We also support local organizations working with the community on credit counseling, debt management and paths to home ownership.
Responding to the Community’s Needs
Here are several ways we invest in local partner organizations and volunteer time and talent with the goal of fostering financial empowerment in our community.
1. Financial Beginnings: In 2023, we launched into partnership with Financial Beginnings to provide both financial support for the organizations’ work and to offer team members the chance to teach Financial Foundations curriculum in the community. To date 12 team members have become Financial Beginnings Volunteer Trainers, and several have dedicated their own time to teaching financial basics.
2. Cascadia Technical Academy: The school’s award-winning tech programs provide high school juniors and seniors with the skills they need to secure living-wage jobs while our team members provide an annual workshop to instill money-management principles — helping students make informed decisions once they receive their first paychecks. Last year, we taught more than 200 youth in the aviation and diesel tech programs combined.
3. Lighthouse Financial Foundation: Sometimes life happens: the car breaks down, a child becomes sick, or a hundred other things transpire that can push individuals out of financial stability. By partnering with Lighthouse Financial Foundation, we support no-interest micro-loans paired with financial education to help individuals and families maintain or regain their footing.
4. Free Financial Planning Days: Twice each year, we offer free planning to anyone in the community who could benefit from 30 minutes with a financial planner. Participants receive complimentary, no-strings-attached support on topics including retirement preparation, saving for a home, planning for children’s education, and more. This year, our teams served 34 individuals and families, helping increase their understanding of their financial situation and providing tools for decision-making.
Our Commitment
We envision a future in which everyone in our community has the financial information and tools to live their best lives. And with our partners, we’re working to get there.
For more information about our work, please visit https://johnsonbixby.com/community/ or contact Megan Dixon, Director of Community Investments & Relationships at megan@johnsonbixby.com.
Alexander Ali, CFP® and Kim Baker, CFP®, teaching at Cascadia Tech.
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