Dear Friends,
As we reflect on 2025 and step boldly into 2026, the 20th anniversary of Invest in Others, I am filled with gratitude and excitement to share with you our latest Impact Report. This report is more than a collection of numbers and stories, it is a celebration of what happens when generosity, purpose, industry, and community come together to change and improve the lives of others.
Our mission is simple yet powerful: to amplify, celebrate, and inspire the charitable work of the financial services community. Every year, through our Awards and Grant Programs, we see extraordinary examples of financial advisors and firms giving their time, talents, and resources to causes that uplift education, health, human services, hunger relief, veterans, and so much more. Their commitment and passion fuel the ripple effects of kindness and philanthropy that extend far beyond their own backyards.
Applications for grant support continue to grow, underscoring the critical needs we are meeting together. Thanks to your generosity and belief in our mission, we are expanding our reach and deepening our impact through a new Strategic Plan. We are also introducing new areas of focus, such as mental health and environmental protection, that reflect the challenges of our world today with the hopes we have for tomorrow.
This year’s Impact Report highlights the stories of several nonprofits and advisors who are leading with heart and vision. It also reflects the growth of our foundation, now stewarding $5 million in assets, and the incredible momentum of individual giving, a new and vital pathway toward sustainability. With your generous support, we are ensuring that Invest in Others can continue to shine a light on the best of our industry and help nonprofits transform lives for decades to come.
To our donors, and friends: thank you. Your support empowers us to invest more in others and to amplify the good that is happening all around us. The future is bright, and with your continued generosity, our collective impact will grow even stronger.
With tremendous gratitude,
R. Barkley Payne
John Hyland, CFP, honored with second Executive Tribute
The honor was presented to Mr. Hyland, Co-Founder and Advisory Board Member of Private Advisor Group, at the 19th annual Invest in Others Awards Gala on September 25, 2025. The honor is in recognition of his exceptional financial services leadership and ongoing commitment to raising funds and awareness for Blood Cancer United, formerly the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
“John’s dedication to supporting blood cancer patients and survivors through Blood Cancer United, along with his advocacy for Invest in Others and our mission to amplify, celebrate, and inspire the charitable work of financial advisors nationwide, makes him a natural choice for our Executive Tribute,” said R. Barkley Payne, President & CEO of the Invest in Others Charitable Foundation.
$1 million raised at 19th Annual Awards Gala
Through the Executive Tribute fundraiser and generous giving during the Gala’s live auction and paddle raise, Invest in Others far exceeded its $500,000 campaign goal with a total of $1 million in giving recorded. Proceeds will be split evenly between Invest in Others and Blood Cancer United. Thank you to everyone who made this incredible success possible!
William Sherlach
Catalyst Award Recipient
William “Bill” Sherlach’s family suffered an unthinkable tragedy when a gunman broke into Sandy Hook Elementary school and murdered 20 children and six educators. Among those victims was Mary Sherlach, Bill’s wife. Bill turned his tragedy into purpose by founding Sandy Hook Promise, an organization committed to gun violence prevention.
Nadia Shokohi
Community Service Award Recipient
At Front Range Divorce Center dba WINGS – Women Inspiring a Network of Growth and Support, the organization is committed to empowering women through financial education and emotional wellness. Their mission is to ensure that every woman has the financial knowledge, confidence, and resources to achieve long-term financial stability and independence. Nadia Shokohi founded WINGS in 2016 after witnessing how women struggled during divorce or major life transitions without the financial knowledge or emotional support they needed.
Justin Elder
Emerging Impact Award Recipient
Justin is the founder of Moose & Me Baking Company, a bakery that addresses the unmet need of meaningful employment opportunities for adults with disabilities. Many individuals in this community face barriers to finding stable, fulfilling jobs that allow them to contribute their skills and talents.
Justin’s two daughters have Down Syndrome, and he wanted to create an inclusive space for them to work, contribute, and feel valued. Moose & Me Bakery not only provides employment but also fosters independence, confidence, and a sense of purpose.
Scott Stackman
Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
The Challenged Athletes Foundation’s (CAF) mission is to provide opportunities and support to people with physical disabilities so they can pursue active lifestyles through physical fitness and competitive athletics. CAF believes that involvement in sports at any level increases self-esteem, encourages independence and enhances quality of life.
Scott Stackman’s journey with CAF began after the passing of his father, Howard, in 2004. The values his father instilled in him from a young age inspired him to create a world-class gala fundraiser in 2006 in New York City benefitting CAF, the Celebration of Heroes, Heart and Hope Gala. Over the last 17 years, this gala has raised more than $29 million dollars all while creating a beloved event that has built a family and a new tradition of generational philanthropy.
John Stanley Lyons
Volunteer of the Year Award Recipient
Hope for the Silent Voices (HFSV) brings attention and resources to the severely neglected, disadvantaged, abused, and discarded globally. Through food and education, HFSV seeks to break generational cycles of poverty and protect vulnerable children so they can forge a more hopeful future.
John Lyons believes in experiencing HFSV’s mission firsthand and participates in international service regularly, typically traveling to the organization’s safehouse two times each year.
Elevating Philanthropy in Wealth Management
"When Barkley Payne reflects on the recent Invest in Others Awards Gala, held in Boston, Massachusetts, this past September, his first thought is of pride. Not for himself, but for the advisors and financial professionals whose charitable work the event spotlighted."
- Andy Burt, Investment News
Leaders Magazine
Building a Culture of Giving | Interview with Invest in Others President & CEO R. Barkley Payne
"Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working with organizations that drive meaningful impact, but what stood out about Invest in Others was its unique focus on celebrating and supporting the charitable work of financial advisors, people who are using their success not just for personal rewards, but to uplift people and communities."
- R. Barkley Payne
How Queen Academy Is Empowering Young Women Through Community Support
In 2024, the organization received one of our Grants for Good, intended to support the REGAL Summer Camp, which serves girls between the ages of 11-17 who are in the custody of the Georgia Dept. of Children & Family Services in the metro Atlanta area. Outcomes of the experience include but are not limited to:
- Measurable improvement in academic skills (e.g., STEAM education) and life skills (e.g., financial literacy, decision-making, and problem-solving).
- Increased self-esteem, confidence, and a sense of belonging.
- Completion of a community project, reflecting the participants’ ability to identify and address real-world issues, demonstrating their growth in leadership and civic engagement.
Pedaling Toward Purpose: A 545-Mile Ride That Changed Everything
In 1997, our 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award Finalist Ferdinand Garcia became involved with the San Francisco AIDS Foundation (SFAF), an organization that promotes health, wellness, and social justice for communities most impacted by HIV through sexual health and substance abuse services, advocacy, and community partnerships. Ferd signed up for a seven-day, 545-mile charity bike ride, now known as the AIDS/LifeCycle, benefiting the organization. Through his annual fundraising efforts for the AIDS/LifeCycle event, Ferd has successfully raised more than $10 million to help end HIV!
2024 Volunteer of the Year Finalist Wornel Simpson’s Journey with Team SAGE
Wornel Simpson, a 2024 Invest in Others Volunteer of the Year Finalist, works with Team Sage (Scholar Athletes Globally Emerging, Inc.). Earlier this year Simpson shared with us the key role financial advisors play in the community, how volunteerism is essential as a connector and facilitator, and the impact of Team Sage on elevating local youth.
Invest in Others Earns Gold Seal of Transparency with Candid.org
Invest in Others Earns Four Stars with Charity Navigator
As we look back on the progress we’ve made together, expanding our reach, deepening our impact, and amplifying the stories of advisors and nonprofits making a difference, we are filled with pride and gratitude. With our 20th anniversary on the horizon in 2026, the excitement is building for what’s ahead, as we continue to honor generosity and drive change on an even greater scale. None of this would be possible without the steadfast support of our donors, program alumni, nonprofit partners, and friends. Thank you for being part of this journey and for helping us make Invest in Others a true force for good.