On Thursday, October 26, Boulay hosted our “Gratitude Gathering” to celebrate the firm’s upcoming 90th anniversary, as well as Boulay Financial Advisors, LLC’s 25th anniversary. Hosted at the firm’s Eden Prairie office building, One Southwest Crossing, the event featured music, food, drinks, office tours, great conversation, and the opportunity to give back.
Highlights
Upon arrival, guests received a “passport” card to guide them throughout the evening. Passport stops included the fifth-floor office for a tour, the bar for the signature drink (or mocktail), and the four nonprofit booths to learn more about each organization. After stamping off each item on the passport, guests could enter their completed cards into a raffle drawing for a variety of themed gift basket prizes.
Approximately 600 people—including Boulay team members, clients, family and friends—gathered to celebrate the firm’s milestones. The atmosphere was fun and lively, as connections new and old celebrated the first 90 and 25 years, while looking forward to the next.
Giving Back
A significant focus for Boulay is giving back to the community that has supported us throughout our history. In particular, we are committed to furthering financial literacy, promoting mental health, and spurring advances in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the communities we serve. To reflect this commitment, we were honored to feature four local nonprofits at the event, each of whom make significant contributions in these areas:
Following the event, Bonnie Vagasky, Vice President of External Relations at BestPrep, shared, “There was a lively energy that radiated in the lobby throughout the whole evening. Employees and clients were very interested in our work, and it was a joy to talk with so many interested people! This week I will be following up with several people who showed a genuine interest in our work and supporting students through their volunteerism…Cheers to a great event!”
The firm is honored to maintain a supportive relationship with these and other service organizations. Below is more information on the four organizations who participated in the Gratitude Gathering; we encourage you to consider how you may get involved.
BestPrep
BestPrep is a Minnesota-based nonprofit organization that provides educational programs to students in grades 4 – 12, with the mission of preparing students with business, career, and financial literacy skills through hands-on experiences that inspire success in work and life. BestPrep was founded in 1976 after a successful three-year pilot project led by current CEO Bob Kaitz, then an economics teacher at Breck School. For 47 years, BestPrep has been building meaningful partnerships with schools, companies, and other nonprofit organizations to prepare Minnesota youth for success in school, career, and life. Today the organization offers six educational programs at low or no cost to students, teachers, and schools. Last year, BestPrep served 42,000 students and mobilized more than 6,000 volunteers.
Fraser
Fraser is a nationally recognized expert in treating early childhood autism and mental health, and in providing overall wellness programs for those who have intellectual or developmental disabilities with co-occurring autism or mental health issues. The nonprofit provides a lifetime of quality healthcare, housing, education, employment, and support services. Highlights of Fraser’s impact include:
- Their autism program is the oldest and largest in Minnesota.
- Their early childhood mental health program is the largest in Minnesota.
- Fraser is among the largest Minnesota providers to support people with co-occurring intellectual and developmental disabilities and mental health needs.
- Fraser has the broadest number of community inclusion services for people with disabilities in Minnesota.
MNCPA – Scholars Program
The Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants (MNCPA)’s Scholars Program is a mentorship and career awareness program promoting the CPA profession to minority high school students. The MNCPA understands that advances in ethnic diversity not only increase the talent pool of future CPAs, but it enables the profession to better serve clients and employers, as well as strengthen the CPA’s role as an objective expert. Throughout the academic year, scholars attend a variety of events, from communication skill-building to a CPA panel to visiting public accounting firms and companies, that provide them an up-close, real-world glimpse of the CPA profession. Additionally, they are paired with their own mentor for the year to help establish goals, understand the profession and provide advice.
Boulay has participated in the MNCPA Scholars program for five years, with a different team member serving as the designated Boulay Mentor each year. The 2023-2024 Boulay Mentor is Elliot Larson, a supervisor within Boulay’s Transaction Group.
Walk-In Counseling Center
Walk-In Counseling Center serves unmet needs for accessible mental health counseling services in our community by providing free, easily accessible, no-appointment and anonymous mental health counseling services every weekday. These services are provided by professional volunteers who share the values of dignity, compassion, equity and inclusion. Walk-In focuses on helping people stabilize during a time of crisis and resolve problems before they become severe. Services are available in-person or by phone or computer, and Spanish services are also available.
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