3 Tips for Millennials Who Want to Give Back: Co-Founder David Almonte

Interview of FountainHead RI Co-Founder David Almonte by Samantha Delgado, Manager – Communications, PR & Corporate Responsibility, Association of International Certified Professional Accountants:

As a young accountant who recently passed the Exam, things are going very well for you. You have gotten into a rhythm and you know the ropes. But, you’re looking to make a difference in your community – have you considered volunteering at a nonprofit?

David Almonte, CPA, CGMA and member of the AICPA’s National CPA Financial Literacy Commission, knows the merit of giving back. He was taught from an early age the value of education, a strong work ethic and volunteerism. Additionally, his skills as a CPA have given him the opportunity to make a difference in peoples’ lives. He frequently gives presentations across the country, many of them focusing on his main passion: financial literacy. By providing free and accessible resources from websites like 360finlit.org and feedthepig.org, Almonte hopes to break down the walls that very often lead to financial insecurity.

Like Almonte, you too can use the skills you’ve gained throughout your career to give back. Not sure where to begin? Here are three tips to jumpstart your community service:

• Brag a little. You’d be surprised by how many of your talents align with activities you genuinely enjoy. Write down your talents, then research various volunteer opportunities that utilize your skills. For example, are you a pro at creating a résumé, or know exactly how to nail an interview? Oftentimes, local homeless shelters seek out professionals to lead workshops that help clients get back on their feet. Or maybe you love writing – so find a small nonprofit that needs help keeping up its blog. Just as David uses his passion for financial literacy to give back, there are countless other needs in your community. All you have to do is look.

• Embrace social media. Facebook is not just for spying on your ex! If you’re looking for a volunteer opportunity, post it as your status so friends can share with their own networks. Specify what you’d like to help with – maybe you want to use your bookkeeping expertise to help a local animal shelter cut back on costs, or your interpersonal skills on a crisis hotline. Whatever you want to do, social media is your friend.
• DIY! If what you’re looking for doesn’t exist, make a volunteer group yourself! Understanding his own desire to make a difference using his professional aptitude, Almonte wanted to provide a platform for other millennials to do the same. Since this kind of group didn’t exist, he co-founded FountainHead RI, a nonprofit in Rhode Island that hosts networking events and panels on topics of interest, including financial literacy. Through FountainHead RI, Almonte and his co-founders, Nick Denice and Jason Dodier, aim to attract people who have a similar desire to change the world using their unique professional experiences. If you know a few people who want to make a difference in the local community, set up a meeting and discuss ways you can get involved.

Whether it’s helping others learn more about their personal finances, or supporting a local nonprofit’s sustainability efforts, there are a plethora of ways to give back to the community. There is no contribution too small to make an impact – the important thing is to get involved.

How do you use your skills to give back? Let us know in the comments below, or send us a tweet at @360finances, @FountainHeadRI, and @feedthepig!

Actual article here: Millennials Who Want to Give Back