JANUARY NEWSLETTER | 2025’s Essential Question
Want a copy of our 2025 calendar? Click above to start an email to our team!
Hi friends,
We know that compassionate curiosity guided by beautiful questions has the power to bridge divides and rally our focus for the common good. To discover what could be possible around wealth and action, this year we’re asking: Is there a responsibility associated with wealth? If yes, what could it be? We invite you to join us in exploring this question with yourself and your loved ones.
If you’d like us to mail you a 2025 Modernist calendar with a reminder of this question, just drop us a line with your address.
In curiosity and hope,
Team Modernist
PS: Modernist turns 10 this year (!) so stay tuned for ways we’ll be celebrating a full decade of doing this essential work alongside you.
investing insights
We have fresh new Investing Insights for you!
The “Magnificent Seven” had another great year, which leads some investors to wonder: “Am I missing out?”. 🤔 Read our thoughts.
In our Top Investing Questions of 2025, we discuss interest rates and potential economic impacts of the Trump administration.
FROM THE TEAM
Modernist showed our love of architecture at our building’s Gingerbread House Competition. Katia showcased her myriad talents by crafting this gorgeously blue sugary abode; we won 2nd place! 🎂 In true Modernist spirit, she opted to donate the winnings to her fave org Rose Haven to support women, children, and marginalized genders experiencing homelessness and poverty.
📣 ICYMI: We’re hiring! 📣
We’re hiring a Lead Financial Planner, please help us spread the word and apply here!
We’re welcoming an ambitious Certified Financial Planner with 5-10 years of experience to be the heart of our Financial Planning team: guiding Associates, supporting Georgia, and managing projects to align with our fab clients’ visions to structure their wealth around their values. This role is central to the firms’ strategy to grow our impact and vision.
MODERNIST TAKES IT OUTSIDE
We’re channeling Trixie as we reflect on a few 2024 wins: Portland Business Journal named Modernist #10 on their list of Most Generous Corporate Philanthropists and #77 on the Woman-Owned Businesses list (both ranked by company size). 🏆
We can’t wait to see where 2025 takes us!
FUND YOUR HEROES
Our hearts go out to the Los Angeles community; these past few weeks have been heavy with collective loss and made lighter by collective aid. We’ve seen meals for first responders and fundraising campaigns to bridge the gap between need and systemic support. We know rebuilding will require yet more of these community-minded solutions.
We followed the lead of LA-based social justice community foundation Liberty Hill when we took action. Check out their guide to “Help communities survive and thrive after the fires” here.
We’re loving Goods Unite Us, a free app built by nerds that want to make it easier to understand whether everyday purchases align with your politics.
An example: this image shows the 25 companies responsible for turning the Supreme Court conservative (read more here)—use this tool to stay informed and align your buying power with your values! 💪
A SONG THAT’S REALLY ABOUT The American Dream
Rihanna’s “American Oxygen” reminds us of the myriad challenges we face as a country, but also to breathe in, breathe out, and keep working to build the country we want to live in.
Breathe out, breathe in / American oxygen, whoa
Every breath I breathe / Chasin' this American Dream
We sweat for a nickel and a dime / Turn it into an empire, whoa
Breathe in this feeling / American, American oxygen
This is the new America / We are the new America