First Allied Securities Donates $73,000 to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

First Allied Securities has given the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation a $73,487 donation for research and programs dealing with the disease.

Archie Manning, a retired National Football League quarterback, donated memorabilia that First Allied’s charity arm, First Philanthropy, auctioned for some of the donation.

In the past seven years, First Philanthropy has raised $350,000 for non-profit organizations across the country. It holds several fundraisers a year for a cause that its steering committee selects. First Allied’s employees play key roles in the fundraising, as volunteers.

“This year’s charity holds particular importance, as there are more than 30,000 Americans currently suffering from Cystic Fibrosis,” Kevin Keefe, First Allied’s president and chief executive officer, said in a press release. “We couldn’t be more confident in the research, advocacy, and leadership provided by the [Cystic Fibrosis] Foundation to combat this illness.”

All fundraising events culminate in an annual First Allied National Conference. This year it will run from July 18 to 21 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Maryland.

Manning attended last year’s conference. The gathering typically attracts financial advisors, industry experts, keynote speakers and strategic partners.

Bert Jacobs, chief executive officer of Life is Good, spoke at last year’s event and set up a merchandise booth whose proceeds went to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF).

First Allied volunteers raised money for the foundation by taking part in last year’s annual CFF Walk and encouraging businesses to donate part of their sales to the foundation.

“Our organization has made significant strides thanks to the monumental support generated by businesses like First Allied,” said Stasha Ybarra, the foundation’s development director. “As we continue to grow closer to finding a cure for Cystic Fibrosis, we are optimistic about the road ahead, but it is a long and costly one. Not only do these generous donations contribute to the pursuit of a cure, but the awareness created by First Allied’s fundraising initiatives serves as an invaluable asset to our cause.”