Formative Financial

10/13/2026

“You can teach people with values about finance easier than you can teach people in finance about values.” -George Gay, CEO of Formative, on what he looks for in the people who join this field.

George has spent more than three decades in socially responsible investing, so he’s seen what makes an advisor stand out in this work, and (hint) it isn’t always a resume line.

Do you agree? What’s the one thing you think can’t be taught? 👇

10/08/2026

10/07/2026

Formative picks up marketing efforts for advisors when they can’t - to help them get unstuck and focus on what matters.

10/06/2026

Many values-based advisors started their firms to do deep, meaningful work with clients: helping them live better lives, create impact in their communities, and shape their money around what they believe in.

For a lot of one or two person shops, the day ends up being filled with compliance paperwork, admin, data entry, and billing. Marketing gets squeezed in if there’s time left over. The client conversations, the follow-up, and the diligence on new opportunities are the work they actually got into this business to do, and they’re the first things to get crowded out.

Formative helps change that.

Formative is an RIA built for values-based advisors. We take on much of the work behind the scenes, including compliance, operations, trading, and portfolio management, supported by modern technology and a dedicated team. That leaves advisors with more room for the client relationships and values-aligned work that brought them into this profession.

Curious what that looks like in practice? Learn more at formativefinancial.com.

If you run a small practice, what takes up more of your week than you wish it did?

Tell us in the comments. 👇

09/24/2026

Grow for impact has a new home! 🏡 Be sure to check out our new site through the link in our bio for all things related to the upcoming conference on Nov. 9-11

On there you’ll find:
-Event details
-Session details
-A full agenda of all the event days
-A list of all the speakers participating
-Venue information
-Registration details
-Sponsors
-& more!

We hope to see you in Phoenix! 🌄

08/17/2026

For 35 years, advisors like you have shaped what values-based investing looks like at Formative.

That legacy isn't slowing down.

We're building new conversations, new ideas, and new ways to connect for advisors who believe portfolios are more than numbers, they can matter to the world.

Stay close, there's a lot more coming! 🌱

08/12/2026

Most advisors just ask "how much will this grow?"

We ask that, plus one more question: "what kind of world are we investing in?"

At Formative, growing your book and feeling aligned with where the money goes are one in the same goal.

That's what it means to Think Forward. 🌱

05/21/2026

First Affirmative is now Formative. Read more about how we’re evolving to better support modern values-based advisors and their clients at formativefinancial.com