How to Involve Young Children in Philanthropy and Giving

In a time of increasing inequality, establishing a focus on gratitude and generosity are core values to instill in younger generations who will one day serve as stewards of the world they will inherit. Whether they’re five or twenty-one, it’s essential to teach our children the importance of philanthropic giving and engagement. Discussing and involving children in your own charitable pursuits is a vital way to set an example. 

Here are some thoughtful ways to help to involve young children in philanthropy and giving:

Discuss and Share Stories about Philanthropy

Introduce your children to philanthropy by explaining to them what it is and how it positively impacts others. Telling your kids stories about how you give back and the organizations you support is a great way to help them think more deeply about why we give back and the profound impact it can foster in the world. Together, you can create a list of the good deeds you’ve performed and consider new ways to expand upon them.

Perhaps, one of the most significant ways to promote a philanthropic mindset is to inspire by example. Kids are highly impressionable, so it’s important to let them see you complete your philanthropic or charitable goals. It could even be a simple gesture of generosity, like delivering groceries to an elderly neighbor. Even when cleaning out a closet, ask your children what items they’d like to donate and then take them with you to donate the items in-person.

Another way to spur a charitable mindset is to provide context during conversations with your kids. Connect giving to your child’s interests, experience and current events. It’s more difficult for children to grasp more abstract concepts at a young age, so relating to situations they’ve experienced or witnessed firsthand can help make them more involved. An example is to raise money with a bake sale to support survivors who have lost their home in a tornado that impacted the local area.

Establish a “Giving Allowance”

As children grow slightly older, they may earn an allowance. Advise your kids to put aside money for spending, savings and giving to charity to reinforce saving habits that encourage generosity. Every several months, you can decide together where to contribute the money. Some parents or guardians may want to consider matching donations to a chosen cause. A productive exercise for your children is to create a writing prompt explaining why their charity of choice matters to them. It’s a great way for children to practice advocating on behalf of a cause or organization.

Support Charitable Causes as a Family

You and your children likely know someone with a fairly common disease, like cancer or diabetes. To support these causes, why not suggest the whole family participate in a food drive, charity run or bike ride to benefit the local charity? Some families make an effort to volunteer or support a charitable event once a year. During the holidays, some participate in a holiday giving tree donation through local organizations. 

As you consider which charities to give your time and money to, include your children in the decision-making process. Explain why you want to support those charities and the importance of these charities in the local, national or global community. With countless organizations worthy of your time and donation, explaining why you’ve chosen a specific organization can make a tangible learning moment for children.

Encourage Volunteering with Local Charities and Foundations

Encouraging community service with service clubs at school or with youth organizations can secure a lasting charitable mindset for children. Many schools now require students to complete a specific amount of community service hours before they graduate. It’s another opportunity for them to learn the importance of investing in the community.

At home, parents may want to encourage their children to fundraise for special events like birthdays, graduation and even the holidays. Kickstarter, Facebook and GoFundMe make it easier than ever to create a donation campaign at any time. It also allows children to remain proactive and introduce new causes they care about to family and friends.

If your family is a part of a foundation or donor-advised fund, introduce your children to the decision-making process and invite them to tag along on visits or even give feedback on grant recommendations. Encourage them to become members of an organization. It’s another excellent opportunity for children to learn social skills and grow their network beyond school. Researching committee roles can also provide valuable leadership skills and interpersonal growth.

Further encourage your children to volunteer their time and use their natural talents. For example, if your child is a good writer, they may want to consider volunteering their skills for charities in need of marketing or social support, but who don’t have the budgets to hire someone right away.

Fostering ethical and considerate children is an achievement everyone should prioritize. When we lead by example, we help foster personal growth for those younger than us while helping to create a better world for them and others at the same time.