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Foundation for Financial Planning Launched Volunteer Course

The free one-hour training prepares certified professionals to assist individuals facing financial distress.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Financial Planning

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The Foundation for Financial Planning launched a new pro bono training course to equip certified planners with tools for helping families navigate financial instability. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Foundation for Financial Planning has released a new pro bono training course for certified financial planners. The program aims to increase the availability of financial guidance for households experiencing crisis.

Why it matters

The training provides a structured approach for experts to help struggling families manage financial volatility. It addresses a rising need for assistance as rates of financial vulnerability have increased across the country.

The new interactive course offers one hour of continuing education credit to participants. It arrives as financial vulnerability rises to 17% of U.S. households, compared to 15% in 2025.

The players

Foundation for Financial Planning

This organization has mobilized over 30,000 financial planners and provided nearly $11 million in grants over the past 30 years.

Capital Group

This firm served as the corporate sponsor for the development of the new pro bono training curriculum.

CeriFi

This educational company designed the interactive platform used to simulate financial planning scenarios for the course.

The details

The interactive training, developed with CeriFi and sponsored by Capital Group, simulates real-world financial scenarios. Curriculum input was provided by representatives from the CFP Board, FPA, and NAPFA, and participants may qualify for insurance coverage when volunteering.

Timeline

  1. The volunteer training course was launched on October 13, 2026.

  2. Financial vulnerability was at 15 percent in 2025.

  3. Financial vulnerability last hit current levels in 2018.

Market Dynamics

The current training initiative follows a period of increasing household financial stress that has surpassed 2025 levels. It mirrors broader efforts to close the gap between professional expertise and the 17% of U.S. households identified as financially vulnerable.

Financial planners can now access standardized tools to facilitate pro bono work, potentially streamlining their ability to provide community support. These volunteers may also gain access to specific errors and omissions insurance benefits when using designated service platforms.

The takeaway

This new curriculum provides a low-barrier way for certified professionals to contribute to community stability. Planners should check the specific requirements for errors and omissions insurance coverage when registering for service opportunities.

Further reading

For more information on professional standards and resources, visit Financial Planning.

More information

Certified planners can access the platform for finding pro bono opportunities to begin using the training.

Source note: This article includes information reported by The Manila times.

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Do you believe financial professionals have a responsibility to provide pro bono services in your area?