About Sequoia Financial Foundation

At the Sequoia Financial Foundation, we approach financial literacy as a form of prevention rather than remediation. When people understand budgeting, saving, investing, taxes, and debt before problems arise, they make better decisions. And better decisions compound over time.

Too many Americans reach financial crossroads without that foundation. The Sequoia Financial Foundation exists to change that. Through education, partnerships, and practical tools, we work to close the knowledge gap early, equipping people with what they need to know to build long-term stability and opportunity for themselves and the generations that follow.

Sequoia Financial Foundation founders

Our Story

The Sequoia Financial Foundation was created from a shared belief that financial literacy has the power to change lives.

Tom Haught, CEO of Sequoia Financial Group, envisioned expanding access to financial education beyond the traditional advisory relationship, particularly for underserved communities. He recognized that billions of dollars are lost each year due to preventable financial mistakes and believed those losses could instead become opportunities through education. Leon LaBrecque, a longtime advocate for literacy and education, joined in that vision and serves as President of the Foundation.

Together, they provided the initial funding to launch the organization and establish its mission.

Their goal was simple: help more people gain the knowledge needed to build lasting stability for themselves and their families.

Our Approach

We view financial literacy as generational literacy.

When one person gains the knowledge to make better decisions, the impact does not stop there. It influences children, families, employees and communities and, over time, establishes generational cycles of stability and opportunity.

Our approach is built on three principles:

Prevention over remediation

Teaching early prevents hardship later.

Education that leads to action

Knowledge must be practical, clear, and usable.

Reach

Programs should grow, reach new communities, and endure for generations.

Students learning financial literacy

Why This Matters

Financial illiteracy carries a real cost.

Billions of dollars are lost every year due to avoidable financial mistakes, poor planning, and lack of access to reliable information. These losses affect individuals, families, businesses, and the broader economy.

We believe those losses can be transformed into opportunity. By investing in financial education today, we can create stronger households, more resilient communities, and a more stable future.

See Our Impact
Our Mission and Values

Mission, Vision & Values

01. Our Mission

Cultivate financial literacy among individuals and communities—empower people with knowledge, tools, and confidence to build a stronger, more resilient future.

02. Our Vision

A world where every person has access to financial knowledge that enables them to make confident decisions for themselves, their families, and future generations.

03. Our Values

  • Integrity: We uphold the highest standards of truth and accuracy, sharing only valid, reliable financial information.

  • Creativity: We seek fresh, engaging ways to make financial concepts accessible, because the right approach can open doors that traditional education leaves closed..

  • Reach: We are committed to meeting people where they are, designing programs and partnerships that extend financial education to communities that need it most.

  • Passion: We believe financial knowledge changes lives. That conviction drives everything we do, from the programs we build to the partnerships we pursue..

Get Involved

Whether you donate, partner, or simply share our mission—every action strengthens the root system.

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