Social Investment Forum Awards Certified Financial Planning Scholarship for American Indian Student
CONTACT:
Kristin Lang, (202) 872-5347 or klang@socialinvest.org
WASHINGTON, D.C.
October 6, 2009
First ever scholarship by social investment group to support indigenous financial planning expertise
The Social Investment Forum's Indigenous Peoples Working Group announced today a scholarship awarded to Jason Campbell of Cusick, Washington and a member of the Spokane Tribe of Indians. The first scholarship of its kind, it will enable an American Indian to start the process of becoming a Certified Financial Planner™.
Campbell recently launched Arete Development Group, a consulting firm created to serve as an educational development system to tribes, tribal entities and schools in both reading and financial literacy. Through his firm, Campbell plans to assist native entrepreneurs with professional development in these areas. Among other projects, he has been involved with a small business partnership in Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete, a Gold LEED-certified building product for green building construction. Campbell and his business partner are working with a small re-fabrication and construction trade association to develop a skills and business course for vocational schools serving American Indian communities.
Along with earning a Masters of Business Administration, Campbell also became an OWEESTA certified trainer of financial literacy in January.
“Becoming a certified financial planner will allow me to better serve as an advisor to tribal governments and tribally-owned entities on such matters as socially responsible investing and to provide assistance for Native community investing,” said Campbell. “This scholarship will enable me to better serve the economic and business pursuits of American Indian tribes and individuals and to make more knowledgeable decisions regarding financial planning.”
Although this is the first time such a scholarship has been offered, the scholarship committee received a number of qualified applications. Campbell, however, stood out for his demonstrated knowledge of socially responsible investing practices, as well as for his dedication to teaching financial literacy in Native communities.
“Our committee was honored to receive a number of high caliber applications, which confirmed there is recognition of and demand for quality financial education like the Certified Financial Planner course. Making a choice among our applicants was challenging, as each scholarship candidate possessed an excellent work history, commitment to their community and a passion for financial planning,” said Jan Bryan, a Certified Financial Planner Practitioner, Accredited Investment Fiduciary Designee and member of SIF’s Scholarship Committee. “We look forward to awarding more CFP® scholarships in Indian Country.”
Through this scholarship, SIF seeks to work with indigenous communities to increase familiarity with SRI strategies and identify ways for indigenous peoples and SRI professionals to work together.
The SIF scholarship will cover the cost of an online College for Financial Planning Program, a rigorous ten month course which culminates with the completion of the CFP® Certification Examination. Funding for this scholarship was provided by personal contributions of SIF member financial advisors, who are committed to expanding the diversity of their field.
http://www.socialinvest.org/projects/indigenous.cfm
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About the Social Investment Forum
The Social Investment Forum (http://www.socialinvest.org) is the U.S. national nonprofit membership association for professionals, firms and organizations dedicated to advancing the practice and growth of socially responsible investing (SRI). Critical to responsible investment practice is the consideration of environmental, social and corporate governance criteria in addition to standard financial analysis. Nearly 400 SIF members support SRI through portfolio selection analysis, shareholder advocacy and community investing.
The Indigenous Peoples Working Group (IPWG) seeks to promote Indigenous leadership through programs and initiatives which link the SRI industry and Native communities. Indigenous cultures have been considered among the earliest social investors, since they have historically integrated a wide range of social and environmental concerns into their economic decision-making.