PLANADVISER - November/December 2020 - 40

advisers giving back
Firms' Efforts Show Local Pride
E
ach month, on PLANADVISER.com, we present the
profile of an adviser or advisory practice involved in
philanthropic efforts. Besides to highlight the good
works plan advisers do and to attract a new generation, we
hope these stories will inspire those who are still unsure what
role corporate responsibility or philanthropy should play in
their practice. Below are excerpts from recent features-find
the full versions at PLANADVISER.com/AGB.
ARE YOU AN ADVISER WHO GIVES BACK to the local,
regional or global community? If so, we want to hear about
it for our Advisers Giving Back program. If you have or know of
such a story, please email editors@issmediasolutions.com.
Adviser Runs With 'Challenger Baseball'
Ken Catanella, managing director of the Catanella
Institutional Consulting Team of UBS, in Morristown,
New Jersey, was so struck by a Little League Challenger
Division game that he encountered-adult volunteers
and " buddies " from the local Little League helping kids
with disabilities play baseball-that he took the idea to
his own town's recreation center. He and his firm bought
uniforms and equipment; he pitches, and some of his
staff coach. " Getting started wasn't that difficult, once
we had the ... buy-in from the community, " he says.
" To see these parents and kids having a good time
together is just amazing. "
No Place to Help
Like 'Home'
James Betzig's hometown has
treated him so well, personally
and professionally, he says, it's
important to give back there.
The CEO of TrinityPoint Wealth,
in Milford, Connecticut, devotes
time and effort to several local
causes and engages his local
staff to volunteer, too. A favorite is
the Boys & Girls Club of Milford, for
which Betzig sits on the executive
committee and chairs its annual
gala. TrinityPoint also supports
Food 2 Kids, a food pantry that
ensures children get regular
meals. " As soon as you look, you
see need everywhere, " he says.
" Many are in need here, and we
have an obligation to help them. "
From Family Life to
Company Culture
Domenic DiPiero, founder and
president of Newport Capital
Group, in Red Bank, New Jersey,
learned philanthropy from his
family growing up, and he has
made it a part of his firm's overall
mission. Newport's website notes
the causes-most local-the
firm helps: " seniors, health care,
animals, the environment, the
arts, religious activities, [etc.] " To
further aid local charities, DiPiero
promotes their work through a
once-struggling town newspaper
he acquired, to support it. " The
biggest rewards, " he says, " come
from changing the immediate
world around you in a positive
and constructive way. "
A Firm's Foundation
For Giving Back
Whereas many adviser firms start
small when they decide to give
back, Moneta, in St. Louis, knew
it wanted to commit grand-scale
and long term. So, in 1999, it
started the Moneta Charitable
Foundation (MCF), since then
granting over $3 million to 300
local charities. Employees get
involved, too, by donating
volunteer hours and may suggest
recipients for all but the largest
grant: $25,000 " partnerships. " For
these, the firm also gives gifts of
time and talent, says Don Kukla,
a Moneta partner and MCF
trustee. " It's a way to double down
on the giving our people find so
rewarding. " -PA
40 | planadviser.com November-December 2020 Art by (from left) Dominic Bugatto; Ellen Duda; Victor Juhasz; Adriana Bellet

http://www.PLANADVISER.com http://www.PLANADVISER.com/AGB http://www.planadviser.com

PLANADVISER - November/December 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of PLANADVISER - November/December 2020