Reflection Activities: Reflections on Donations

Teaching Children how to Donate Effectively

Most families donate to several charities each year without too much consideration.  However, these donations (no matter how much you give) could be an opportunity to teach your children about charitable giving. Parents might consider involving their children in part of this decision-making process.

Children feel valued whenever they are able to contribute to important family discussions. During conversations about charitable giving, they will learn about limited resources, budgeting, and the value of giving to others. As an added bonus, you may learn more about your own children’s values and beliefs simply by involving them in the process.

One great way for kids to learn is to give them a gift card that enables them to choose which charity they would like to support.  Charity Choice Gift Cards offers some wonderful suggestions and organizations – and makes it easy to give a gift while teaching children at the same time.

Another great resource is the Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund. The Fidelity^® Charitable Gift Fund is an independent public charity with a donor-advised fund program.

To learn more about making donations meaningful for your family, we would recommend the book, “The Giving Family: Raising Our Children to Help Others,” by Susan Crites Price.  The book explains how parents, teachers, religious leaders and other adults can instill the spirit of giving and volunteering in children. Through inspired ideas and real stories, she provides specific tips, exercises and resources that are easy to use in any home.

Our Future Philanthropists program is dedicated to teaching children about charitable giving.  It is a wonderful resource for schools, faith and community based organizations, foundations, and communities who want to set up a program dedicated to philanthropy and making effective donations.