People Make the Difference provides financial planning, portfolio management for individuals and small businesses, pension consulting, selecting other managers, and educational seminars.
People Make the Difference reports 147 clients. They include 93 individual clients, 37 high-net-worth individuals, and 17 pension and profit-sharing plans. Of its assets, 81.3% ($90.7M across 247 accounts) are managed with discretion; $20.9M across 7 accounts are not. It advised 9 clients without assets under management last fiscal year.
| Client type | Clients | Assets |
|---|---|---|
| Individuals (other than HNW) | 63% | 13% |
| High-net-worth individuals | 25% | 37% |
| Pension and profit-sharing plans | 12% | 50% |
Client breakdown and activity details
| Client type | Clients | Regulatory AUM | AUM share | Avg. per client |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individuals (other than HNW) | 93 | $14.9M | 13.4% | $160K |
| High-net-worth individuals | 37 | $40.8M | 36.6% | $1.1M |
| Pension and profit-sharing plans | 17 | $55.9M | 50.1% | $3.29M |
| Total | 147 | $112M | 100% | $759K |
- Clients
- 93
- Regulatory AUM
- $14.9M
- AUM share
- 13.4%
- Avg. per client
- $160K
- Clients
- 37
- Regulatory AUM
- $40.8M
- AUM share
- 36.6%
- Avg. per client
- $1.1M
- Clients
- 17
- Regulatory AUM
- $55.9M
- AUM share
- 50.1%
- Avg. per client
- $3.29M
Total
- Clients
- 147
- Regulatory AUM
- $112M
- AUM share
- 100%
- Avg. per client
- $759K
- Clients outside the U.S.
- 0%
- Clients advised without assets under management last fiscal year
- 9
- Private funds advised
- 0
- Financial planning clients last fiscal year
- 0
People Make the Difference is paid through a percentage of assets under management, hourly charges, fixed fees (other than subscription fees) and other compensation; its fees and minimums are set out in its brochures on the SEC website.
Melanie Dickinson owns 75% or more of People Make the Difference. The leadership team of People Make the Difference includes President Melanie Dickinson. It has 7 employees, 2 of them in advisory roles.
Leadership
- Melanie DickinsonChief Compliance Officer, President
Investment adviser representatives
2 representatives listed in the SEC register as of 9 October 2026.
- Melanie Shirley Dickinson
- James Ira McCormick III
Staff
- 7 employees
- 2 in advisory functions
- 2 state-registered reps
- 2 broker-dealer reps
- 2 insurance agents
- Owns 75% or more of People Make the Difference, Inc.
Melanie Dickinson
Control person · since April 2014
People Make the Difference’s regulatory assets fell from $118M (March 2023) to $112M (March 2026); clients were 147 in both filings and employees rose from 4 to 7.
Figures from each annual filing
| Filed | Regulatory AUM | Clients | Employees | Offices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 2026 | $112M | 147 | 7 | 1 |
| April 2025 | $104M | 156 | 6 | 1 |
| March 2024 | $139M | 16,665 | 4 | 1 |
| March 2023 | $118M | 154 | 4 | 1 |
Besides its headquarters, People Make the Difference has 0 offices, with 1 listed address in Alabama.
Alabama · 1 listed address
- 2032 Shady Crest Drive, HooverHQ
Other business names
People Make the Difference has reported 1 other business name to the SEC.
- People Make the Difference, Inc.
Contact and registration details
- Legal name
- People Make the Difference, Inc.
- Headquarters
- 2032 Shady Crest Drive, Hoover, AL 35216
- Website
- Not reported
- Phone
- 205-986-0060
- SEC file
- 801-127839
- Structure
- Alabama corporation
- Fiscal year end
- December
People Make the Difference uses Charles Schwab ($56M) as custodian for its separately managed accounts. People Make the Difference has custody of $55M in client assets for 138 clients.
- Charles SchwabCharles Schwab & Co., Inc. · Omaha, FL · $56M100%
At year end, People Make the Difference’s separately managed accounts were mostly in funds (72%) and bonds (13%).
What the accounts hold
- Stocks5%
- Funds72%
- Bonds13%
- Investment grade corporate bonds6%
- U.S. government and agency bonds3%
- State and local bonds3%
- High-yield corporate bonds1%
- Cash10%
How many clients does People Make the Difference have?
People Make the Difference has 147 clients and manages $112 million for them, as of March 2026. They include 93 individual clients, 37 high-net-worth individuals, and 17 pension and profit-sharing plans.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Items 5.D and 5.F, filed 31 March 2026
What services does People Make the Difference offer?
People Make the Difference provides financial planning, portfolio management for individuals and small businesses, pension consulting, selecting other managers, and educational seminars.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Item 5.G, from the SEC's 2 October 2026 data file
Which custodians does People Make the Difference use?
People Make the Difference’s separately managed account assets are held at Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (Omaha, FL), with $56M. Only custodians holding at least a tenth of those assets are named.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Schedule D, Section 5.K.(3), filed 31 March 2026
How many financial advisors does People Make the Difference have?
People Make the Difference has 2 investment adviser representatives registered with state securities authorities, out of 7 employees, and 2 perform investment advisory functions. 2 employees are registered representatives of a broker-dealer and 2 employees are licensed insurance agents.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Items 5.A and 5.B, from the SEC's 2 October 2026 data file
What does People Make the Difference invest in?
At the end of its last fiscal year, People Make the Difference’s separately managed accounts held 72% registered funds (mutual funds, ETFs, BDCs), 10% cash and equivalents, 6% investment grade corporate bonds, 5% exchange-traded equities, 3% U.S. government and agency bonds, 3% state and local bonds and 1% high-yield corporate bonds.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Items 5.K.(1) and 7.B, from the SEC's 2 October 2026 data file
Who owns People Make the Difference?
People Make the Difference’s direct owner is Melanie Dickinson (75% or more).
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Schedules A and B, filed 31 March 2026
How does People Make the Difference get paid?
People Make the Difference is paid through a percentage of assets under management, hourly charges, fixed fees and other compensation. Its Form ADV lists no commissions or performance-based fees among how it is paid.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Item 5.E, from the SEC's 2 October 2026 data file
Is People Make the Difference registered with the SEC?
Yes, People Make the Difference has been registered with the SEC as an investment adviser since 1 May 2023. Its CRD number is 159443 and its SEC file number is 801-127839.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Item 1, filed 31 March 2026; IAPD firm record
How do I contact People Make the Difference?
People Make the Difference’s main office is at 2032 Shady Crest Drive, Hoover, AL 35216. Its phone number is 205-986-0060.