Osaic Foundation
Newsletter
Three questions with Brian Owens of Osaic for LIFE Financial Literacy Pathway
Learn more about our largest grant recipient program, the Osaic for LIFE Financial Literacy Pathway, based in Ferguson, Mo., a predominantly African American community of metropolitan St. Louis. This residency support ecosystem was initiated in 2021 and is led by Brian Owens, an established local soul singer-songwriter and community activist.
Pathways has imparted financial literacy, career stability, and personal growth by linking Osaic Financial Professionals one-on-one with young creative entrepreneurs. At the present time, eight advisors provide mentorship, coaching, and professional development to these emerging artists so they can thrive financially and creatively—and begin a ripple effect to positively influence their larger community.
We assess key performance indicators (KPIs) for each of them, focusing on measurable improvements in areas such as credit score improvement, debt elimination, career monetization, financial literacy, financial wellness (mental health), savings, and investment knowledge.
Over 90% of our Pathway participants have demonstrated significant progress across these metrics, underscoring the program's effectiveness. These outcomes reflect not only financial growth, but also a sense of empowerment and stability that fuels each creative's journey.
Donna LaScala from New York has been a mentor with us from the beginning. She recently shared, “It has been an extremely rewarding experience mentoring these young creatives, watching them grow into entrepreneurs and fully embrace their roles as business owners of their ‘brand.’ Helping them attain the skills necessary to properly budget, spend, and save—while expanding their knowledge of how the economy works—has been a pleasure and privilege."
Here’s some additional feedback from several others: Meet our Financial Mentors
Sure. Joshua “Paco” Lee was in a mentorship with Malcolm Webb, an Osaic advisor from Indiana. Joshua shared with us, “The first thing Malcolm did was assess my financial situation, including reviewing my credit. He helped me resolve a defaulted student loan in collections and set up a payment plan that made me eligible for student loan forgiveness before the deadline. He also motivated me to take on extra holiday hours to catch up on my taxes. Thanks to his guidance, I'm now debt-free and well on my way to achieving a respectable credit score. Breaking the generational cycle of financial illiteracy has been one of my greatest achievements, and I owe much of that to the mentorship I received." You can read more reactions from other participants here: Our Stories, Your Impactor watch our podcast: Life Creative STL Inventory Podcasts.
Additional Osaic Financial Professionals are needed for this program. To learn more, send a message of interest to osaicfoundation@osaic.com.
Local Community Grant Program application period open March 1-31
Applications are being accepted March 1-31 for the Local Community Grant Program. This annual program is exclusively for all Osaic Financial Professionals, their support staff, and home office employees who volunteer in their community. No direct applications from charities are accepted. Grants will range from $350 to $10,000.
The grant consideration process is based largely on the Osaic volunteer’s frequency of participation, number of years involved, and personal hands-on role at an eligible 501(c)3 charity. Applications are also welcome for a group volunteer effort at a charity, such as a team approach by an office or site. Volunteer efforts planned in disaster recovery efforts from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, and the California wildfires, are especially welcome.
Grant applications are reviewed in the April timeframe by regional committees; their recommendations are subsequently submitted to the Osaic Foundation Board of Directors for final review and approval. Grants are disbursed in late May/June.
Applicant Resources:
- Worksheet (PDF) to prepare your application: Grant Application Worksheet
- Official online 2025 Local Community Grant Application
- Summary of previous recipients, listed by region and state
Volunteer opportunities to elevate your impact
Regional volunteers are needed on each of the following program or event committees to share ideas on logistics and execution. This is a wonderful opportunity to network, build relationships, and ensure an outstanding outcome for our participants and designated charities! We will also be partnering with Osaic Advisor Engagement this year for volunteerism tied to regional meet-ups.
To learn more or offer your help on any of the areas below, drop a quick email indicating your interest to: osaicfoundation@osaic.com.
Volunteer calendar
A recap of our volunteers in action
Virtual Enterprises International at W Forum
The Osaic Foundation teamed up with the Women’s Advisory Board and Virtual Enterprises International (VE) Feb. 5 to host 30 high school students from Palm Springs, CA, area schools at W Forum. The students attended a general session and gained insights on their future careers via a career panel of Financial Professionals and home office employees and engaged in small group table discussions and exercises with #TeamOsaic professionals. VE conducts business education programs at high schools across the country and received a $40,000 grant from the Osaic Foundation for its 2025 programs.
Valley of the Sun Cycling Challenge
The Valley of the Sun Cycling Challenge was hosted Feb. 1 in Scottsdale, AZ. Among the 31 riders in this 38-mile benefit event were five Osaic Financial Professionals and three home office employees. Five home office employees from Scottsdale volunteered with refreshment and welcome duties at the rest stops and finish line. The event was organized by World T.E.A.M. Sports (WTS), with the Osaic Foundation as a presenting sponsor, and raised $40,000—including a $25,000 grant from the Foundation. WTS applies the funds to conduct inclusive experiential events for adaptive and able-bodied athletes that attract many veterans, first responders, and those with disabilities.
Winning Women Leadership Conference
A team of 16 advisors and home office executives inspired 100 high school girls at a Winning Women Leadership Conference in New York City, sponsored by the Osaic Foundation. The Osaic volunteers participated in a career panel (photo) and then mentored table discussions, answering questions and facilitating exercises related to financial literacy. The students from various schools participated in an ongoing enrichment program conducted by Virtual Enterprises International (VE). The organization benefited from a $75,000 grant from the Osaic Foundation in 2024.
7th annual SOUPer Bowl++
Our 7th annual SOUPer Bowl++ campaign to fight hunger raised more than $6,000 for Feeding America, which supports hundreds of local food banks across the country. Financial Professionals, staff, and home office employees teamed up to replenish food banks after the holiday season through either online donations and/or office food drives. Congrats to the Southeast Region for raising the most funds this year! Together, #TeamOsaic has now raised more than $156,000 for food banks since the campaign began.
Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity
Six home office employees from Oakdale, MN, devoted 48 total manhours to support the Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity (HFH) chapter in creating affordable housing. The group completed an insulation project, caulked trim, painted the trim and bathrooms, hung bathroom hardware, and performed some landscaping with mulch spreading and brush removal. The Oakdale team has partnered with Habitat for Humanity for three years, participating in four total events. In 2024, the Osaic Foundation provided a $2,500 local community grant to HFH in recognition of the ongoing volunteer effort.
Feed My Starving Children
A group of 14 Financial Professionals, home office employees, and friends near our Oakdale, MN, site volunteered for an afternoon meal-packing event at the regional Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) facility on Dec. 3, 2024. They hand-packed nutritionally complete supplies into bags which were then sealed, boxed, placed on pallets, and shipped to FMSC partners working hard to reach the neediest children around the world. The Osaic Foundation contributed a $1,000 grant to the food bank in recognition of their effort.
Highland at Community Food Bank of Central Alabama
Highland Capital Brokerage volunteers aided Community Food Bank of Central Alabama in Birmingham on Dec. 3 to assemble 450 meal boxes, each of which would feed a family of four for one week. This food bank supplies meals throughout the year to over 230 partner agencies—like food pantries, shelters, and children’s programs—in 12 counties across central Alabama. Their aim is to ensure people in need can access emergency food near where they live. When agencies partner with them, they have consistent access to fresh food that they distribute free of charge. The volunteer effort sparked a $1,000 grant from the Osaic Foundation to the food bank.
Zonta International & Hurricane Helene Relief
The farming communities of Perry and Madison in the Florida Panhandle were among those hit hard by Hurricane Helene last fall. Stepping up to organize a volunteer relief effort was Osaic Financial Professional Claudia Sachs from nearby Tallahassee. She rallied the professional women of her Zonta International chapter, which was supported in its outreach with a $10,000 Disaster Relief Grant from the Osaic Foundation—the first made to a local charity in recognition of the volunteer leadership of an Osaic advisor. Additional grants are available specifically for advisor and employee-led disaster recovery efforts in Florida, North Carolina, and California for the wildfires.
Ardmore Food Pantry
A group of eight home office employees from Berwyn, PA, took time out from work and holiday preparations in December to assist at the nearby Ardmore Food Pantry (AFP), which serves more than 400 food insecure families and individuals each year. AFP is a full choice pantry and provides protein, produce, and dairy, in addition to nonperishable items. The food pantry relies on monetary and food donations from private foundations, faith and community groups, and generous individuals. In recognition of the volunteer effort from #TeamOsaic, the charity received a $500 grant from the Osaic Foundation.