Prevent Financial Abuse
Help people slow down, understand warning signs, and ask better questions before major decisions.
About Us
Financial and Estate Literacy Nonprofit
Financial and Estate Literacy, Inc. is the nonprofit behind the It’s Your Money and Estate workshop program.
Its mission is to help seniors, families, and community members stay informed, ask better questions, and avoid financial abuse.
Mission Snapshot
Free education before important decisions.
Free Community Education
Provide online and in-person workshops that are free, clear, and practical.
No Product Sales
Offer education only, without product pitches or free-dinner pressure.
Seniors and Families First
Support seniors, families, and community members with plain-English planning education.
About the Organization
Meet the people behind the workshops.
Board of Directors
Meet the volunteer leaders supporting the organization.
Staff
Meet the team helping manage programs, communications, and technology.
Mission
See the mission, purpose, and origin of the workshop program.
Press
See selected media mentions and public features.
Testimonials
Read what participants and community partners have shared.
Mission Statement
Unbiased education for planning decisions.
Financial and Estate Literacy, Inc. provides free education so people can make informed decisions without sales pressure.
Purpose
Help people understand planning choices before signing documents, choosing advisers, or handing over control.
Origin
Peter Kote started the workshop series after seeing the need for clearer financial planning education. The nonprofit incorporated in October 2012.
Community Approach
The organization works with professionals, charities, and community partners to keep education available.
Board of Directors
Volunteer leadership and guidance.
The board brings experience in fiduciary service, charitable planning, nonprofit leadership, financial planning, healthcare, and education.
Founder / Chairman
Peter C. Kote, JD
Founder of the workshop program with experience in fiduciary service, planned giving, nonprofit fundraising, and financial planning education.
Secretary
Bob Gregg
Nonprofit leader with experience in fundraising, board development, strategic planning, and major gifts.
Treasurer
James H. Parrott
Healthcare and business development leader with experience in operations, consulting, physician recruitment, and managed care.
Philanthropic Advisor
Donald William Vivrette
CPA and philanthropic adviser with experience in accounting, consulting, international business, and charitable planning education.
Board Member
Mark Rylance
Certified Financial Planner professional with wealth management, Financial Planning Association, and nonprofit volunteer experience.
Board Member
Laura Tarbox
CFP professional and founder of The Tarbox Group, Inc., with experience in wealth advisory work, teaching, and fiduciary service.
Board Member
Mark Hebner
Founder of Index Fund Advisors, Inc. and author focused on investor education and evidence-based investing.
Board Member
Carl A. Wayne, J.D.
Charitable estate planning professional with experience in law, higher education fundraising, and philanthropic strategy.
Board Member
Richard Huntington
California Licensed Professional Fiduciary with trustee, executor, administrator, receiver, and planning support experience.
Staff
Program, communications, and technology support.
Staff members help coordinate workshops, presenters, communications, technology, and charitable giving education.
President
Trevor Murphy
California licensed professional fiduciary who helps coordinate volunteer presenters and professional education resources.
Executive Director
Patricia Collins
California Licensed Professional Fiduciary, National Certified Guardian, and California Certified Mediator with nonprofit and communications experience.
CTO
Fouad Hajji
Supports the organization’s technology and web presence with experience in information technology and production.
Director of Marketing Communications
Jo Ann Ekblad
Communications and marketing leader with nonprofit program, fundraising, partner, donor, and brand management experience.
Philanthropic Advisor
Don Vivrette
Advises on charitable giving education and presents philanthropy topics through the It’s Your Estate workshop series.
Press
Selected press and media mentions.
Selected media mentions connected to the workshop program.
April 2020
It’s Your Money “Virtual” Financial Series press release
A press release announcing the virtual financial workshop series.
Source Link Coming SoonSeptember 2019
Index Fund Advisors website article
Coverage of free workshops designed to reduce conflicts and raise financial awareness.
Source Link Coming SoonAugust 2019
Laguna Niguel newsletter workshop announcement
A community announcement for special workshop programming.
Source Link Coming SoonMarch 2015
Successful Fundraising article
A fundraising publication feature connected to the organization’s work.
Source Link Coming SoonOctober 2014
PBS SoCal video feature
A video feature presenting the It’s Your Money and It’s Your Estate workshops.
Source Link Coming SoonApril 2014
New Tang Dynasty Television interview
An interview recorded during the Fullerton workshop program.
Source Link Coming SoonPress and media source links will be connected after final content review.
Testimonials
What participants and partners have shared.
Participants and partners describe the workshops as clear, practical, useful, and free from a sales pitch.
Shared that the classes helped her learn enough to make meaningful family gifts with confidence.
BarbaraDescribed the estate workshop as eye-opening and helpful for understanding wills, trusts, and planning decisions.
M.P.Praised the sessions for useful, unbiased information and said she planned to bring friends next time.
JaneSaid the workshops helped her organize her information and feel ready to talk with an estate attorney.
KathyWrote that repeated workshop learning helped her ask better questions and work more confidently with financial advisors.
Diane BuchananRecommended the workshop series for its current information, multiple locations, and no-sales educational approach.
Trudy BurrusSponsors and Community Partners
Sponsors and partners help keep workshops and resources free.
View SponsorsSupport the Mission
Donations and charitable sponsorships help keep workshops and community resources free.
Donate to the Mission