How Pro Bono Financial Planning Helps Advisors Avoid Burnout and Reconnect with Purpose

By Zack Morse, CFP^®, SE-AWMA™

In the high-pressure world of financial advising, burnout is a quiet but persistent threat. The constant pressure to meet performance metrics, manage client expectations, review new legislation, and stay ahead of market trends can take a toll on even the most passionate professionals. But what if the antidote to burnout isn’t stepping away from the profession—but leaning into it in a different way?

For many advisors, offering pro bono financial planning has become a powerful way to reset, recharge, and reconnect with a deeper purpose. Providing guidance to individuals and families who can’t afford traditional financial services can help advisors not only make a meaningful difference in others’ lives but also rediscover what first drew them to the profession.

Consider that the average net worth of an American household in 2022 was $1.06m,¹ while the median net worth was significantly lower, at around $192,000, highlighting how the wealthiest Americans skew these numbers. Also, while nine in 10 wealthy individuals use financial advisors,² only 35% of Americans overall use financial advisors³—illustrating how those who likely need financial guidance the most do not have access to it.

The Value of Giving Advice to Those Who Need It Most

Pro bono work can help bridge this gap and can provide advisors with a refreshing contrast to the monotony and stress of their daily grind.

Burnout often stems from monotony, stress, and a sense of disconnect from seeing the tangible results of your advice. Pro bono work offers a refreshing contrast. Instead of focusing on portfolio performance or tax optimization for high-net-worth clients, advisors can help millions of Americans living paycheck to paycheck with real, immediate needs—like budgeting on a fixed income, managing debt, or navigating a financial crisis.

For these individuals, even a single session with a financial planner can be life-changing. Whether it’s helping a single parent create a sustainable budget, guiding a recent graduate through student loan repayment, or assisting a cancer patient with managing medical bills, the impact is immediate and profound.

This work also reminds advisors that financial planning isn’t simply about growing wealth but is truly about empowering people to live with dignity, security, and hope. 

In fact, advisors often report that these experiences are among the most fulfilling of their careers. There’s something uniquely powerful about using your expertise to help someone who truly needs it—without expecting anything in return. It’s a reminder that financial planning is, at its core, a helping profession.

Reconnecting with Purpose

Perhaps you, like many advisors, entered the field because you wanted to help people. But over time, the business side of the profession may have overshadowed that original motivation. Pro bono work strips away the layers of sales targets, AUM goals, and quarterly reviews to bring the focus back to service.

This renewed sense of purpose can be a powerful buffer against burnout—reigniting passion, restoring perspective, and even improving performance in other areas of your practice. Advisors who engage in pro bono work often return to their day-to-day roles with greater empathy, sharper communication skills, and a deeper appreciation for the value they provide.

How to Get Involved

Fortunately, there are several organizations that make it easy for financial advisors to volunteer their time and expertise:

• Foundation for Financial Planning (FFP): This national nonprofit connects CFP® professionals with underserved populations including military families, cancer patients, and domestic violence survivors. FFP provides training, resources, and support to help advisors deliver high-impact pro bono services.
• Advisers Give Back: This innovative platform allows advisors to volunteer virtually, offering short, structured sessions to individuals in need. It’s a flexible, tech-enabled way to give back—perfect for busy professionals who want to make a difference without a major time commitment.
• NAPFA Foundation: The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) supports a variety of pro bono initiatives through its foundation. Advisors can participate in financial literacy programs, community outreach events, and one-on-one planning sessions for underserved groups.

These organizations not only facilitate meaningful volunteer opportunities—they also provide a sense of community and shared purpose. Advisors who participate often find themselves part of a broader movement to make financial planning more accessible and equitable. And the best part is that your time commitment is up to you. Pro bono financial planning can be as limited as 30 minutes once a month, leaving you the freedom to plan around your busy schedule.

Final Thoughts

Burnout is a real and growing concern in the financial planning profession. But the solution doesn’t always lie in working less—it can lie in working differently. By offering pro bono financial planning, advisors change the pace, change the conversation, and change lives—including their own.

In a world where so many people are struggling financially, your expertise is a gift. Sharing it freely, even just a few hours a month, can reignite your passion, deepen your impact, and remind you why you chose this path in the first place.

¹ Average and Median Net Worth by Age: How Do You Compare?, Nerdwallet, June 12, 2025

² 2024 Bank of America Study of Wealthy Americans, Bank of America Private Bank

³ How Many People Actually Use Financial Advisors (2025), Breznikar.com

CONTENT DISCLOSURE

All opinions expressed in this material are solely the opinions of the author. You should not treat any opinion expressed as a specific inducement to make a particular investment or follow a particular strategy, but only as an expression of the manager’s opinions. The opinions expressed are based upon information the manager considers reliable, but completeness or accuracy is not warranted, and it should not be relied upon as such. Any information perceived from this material does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or other professional advice and is not intended as a substitute for consultation with a qualified professional. The manager’s statements and opinions are subject to change without notice, and Corient Private Wealth LLC is not under any obligation to update or correct any information provided in this material.

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