JULY NEWSLETTER | It’s Our 8th Spin Around The Sun! 🌞
Hi friends,
When I founded Modernist back in 2015, I was motivated by my belief that a new way is possible in business, in money, in how we support clients and community. These dreams are all grounded in Modernist’s manifesto, the text we use in each innovation meeting to ground our actions in our values.
Thank you to our inspiring clients, incredible team, and the many sweet advocates who’ve helped us reach this milestone. I can’t wait to see what’s next!
Believing in Plenty & Enough,
Georgia + Team Modernist
structure your wealth around your values
A sneak peek of our Impact Report!
In celebration of Modernist’s 8th (!) birthday, we’re thrilled to share our Impact Report with you. It’s our birthday tradition to focus on generosity and invite others to do the same. 🎂
Aka “How We Walk Our Talk”, this report offers snapshots of our areas of impact, with suggestions for how you can take action too! ⚡
investment insights
A massive intergenerational wealth transfer is in motion in the U.S., with wealthy white people looking to benefit the most from the shift. According to this report from the New York Times:
“The wealthiest 10% of households ($1.6M+ net worth) will be giving and receiving a majority of the riches. Within that range, the top 1% — which holds about as much wealth as the bottom 90%, and is predominantly white — will dictate the broadest share of the money flow.”
📣 This is why we must move the needle on racial wealth inequality. We must practice radical generosity and tax reform to move more resources to a broader swath of people. 📣
Modernist takes it outside
Georgia’s been on the podcast circuit! Here’s a roundup of recent episodes—all available on this handy podcast playlist.
On the Financial Times Money Clinic podcast, she suggested how to think about cash (one of our fave topics) in times of economic uncertainty.
✨ Lean into community and relationships—our greatest wealth!
✨ Prepare your reserves—listen to the ep. for specifics on how much and where your cash should live.
✨ Our fave mantra: “Cash is Queen. Best treat her right!”
On a recent episode of The Joy Punk podcast with fellow B Corp founder, Jenelle Isaacson Etzel, they discussed...
✨ Why the arts make great prep for entrepreneurship
✨ How being in business can be a radical act
✨ Cutting back from a place of plenty & choice, NOT scarcity
✨ The five pillars of wealth
On So Money, the unstoppable duo that is Farnoosh Torabi + Georgia answered listener questions about:
✨ Tackling the return of student loan payments
✨ Navigating pay discrepancies in the workplace by advocating for yourself
✨ Understanding Roth conversion opportunities
📖 Plus, Farnoosh’s NEW BOOK “A Healthy State of Panic” is now available for pre-order. Our order is in and we can’t wait to read it. Go Farnoosh! 💪
FUND YOUR HEROES
We’re also celebrating the first birthday of the Modernist Fund!
Modernist was founded to help people structure their wealth around their progressive values. It is in our daily actions that our ethics are made visible. This is why a year ago we made the commitment to donate 1% of our revenue to the Modernist Donor-in-Movement fund at Seeding Justice.
Feeling inspired?
Learn more about Donor-in-Movement Funds, or make a gift to Seeding Justice!
Speaking of cutting edge Philanthropy…
Check out this fascinating read from the Guardian: Major UK foundation Lankelly Chase will abolish itself and give away £130m.
Says CEO Julian Corner: “Philanthropy is a function of colonial capitalism, it has been shaped by it, is being driven by it, and yet philosophically it tries to position itself as somehow a cure for the ills of colonial capitalism, and that contradiction needs to stop.”
A Song That is Really About founding modernist
Thanks to Odetta for the reminder to stay true to your vision and be yourself.
Georgia founded Modernist because after years working in the financial industry, she knew there had to be a better way. This is why we’re determined to create a more inclusive, equitable space, and hit or miss, we’re excited for what’s ahead.
I’m trying to be / Everybody else
But now I see / I gotta be me
Ain’t nobody / Just like this
I gotta be me / Baby hit or miss