Your kids don’t wake up one day and say, “Now we’ll be philanthropic.”
While family philanthropy may include an endowment, event sponsorship, or major gift to an organization, it’s usually not a one-time shot. Rather, it’s a work-in-progress.
The genetics of generosity begin when a young family is under one roof and may not have a significant sum to give. Children watch you, even when you think they aren’t. They see how you spend, save, and share.
Family philanthropy is first learned at moments when children recognize and empathize with the needs of others. Consider 10 common sharing gestures that kick-start the generosity gene:
- give a present to a new baby
- take a meal to someone in need
- buy magazines, cookies, or lemonade from neighbor kids
- put money in the tithing basket on Sunday
- coach soccer or baseball teams
- host a dinner or event at your home
- shovel snow or do yard work for shut-ins
- serve on community or church committees
- give away gently used clothing or books
- participate in a walk or run “for a cause”
Choosing to share—whether it’s toys and candy or time, talent, and treasure—can be developed at any age. Family giving matures as the years fly by. You can create traditions, such as funding an annual scholarship, that can be immensely satisfying. But how do you begin?
- Get together.
Hold periodic family meetings to discuss and set direction. Whether your family is comprised of young children, teens, or married couples, find ways to work toward a common goal.
- Be “Hands on.”
Visit or work at a shelter, event, or community project. Learn how giving makes an impact on the giver and the receiver.
- Make a plan.
Talk about and assess what you can save, spend, and give. Knowing why to give and when is as important as knowing how much. Of course, you need assets in order to give them. Thus, you also must encourage and model good spending, saving, and investing habits.
It’s never too late to leave children a legacy of values.
