Improving our community

Bend Wealth Advisors is dedicated to improving our community by being involved with several charitable organizations. In particular, since moving to Bend, Stu Malakoff has served on the board of Friends of the Children Central Oregon, the local, independent chapter of an innovative nationwide nonprofit organization. Friends of the Children’s professional mentors work with children who face multiple systemic challenges such as poverty and/or a challenged family situation. The mentors provide stability, hope and confidence to the youth served, a commitment that lasts 12-plus years – no matter what.

“The Friends of the Children mission is something that matters profoundly to me. Friends of the Children’s unique model of purposeful, long-term commitment to disadvantaged youth produces tangible long-term benefits to society, such as lower incarceration rates, increased high-school graduation rates and successful transitions to adulthood, as quantified by a 2007 Harvard Business School study. Friends’ methodical, long-term commitment precisely aligns with my values, and I love the idea of supporting the very kids who, without this long-term program, are least likely to escape the gravitational pull of poverty,” said Stu.

“While one of Bend Wealth Advisors’ goals is to become the largest corporate contributor of Friends of the Children Central Oregon by 2025, I wanted our involvement to extend beyond financial support. That’s why I joined the board, and – aside from recently being named board chair – serve on the executive and finance committees. I actively advocate for Friends of the Children Central Oregon and am committed to raising awareness of its mission and providing intelligent guidance to the organization.”