Philanthropy transcends age and financial status, serving as a beautiful expression of human generosity, empathy, and the shared desire to make the world a better place. While the typical image of a philanthropist may suggest individuals making substantial monetary contributions, it is essential to recognize that philanthropy should encompass people of all ages, particularly children. They are the next generation of philanthropists.

Children have the potential to be genuine philanthropists, too.  In a world filled with pressing needs, when we reimagine their role, we empower them to view themselves as active contributors to positive change. When we shift our perspective toward envisioning children engaging in actions that go beyond small-scale activities, we send a powerful message that they play a meaningful and significant part in shaping a better future for all.  

Philanthropy can encompass a wide array of actions, including conducting research, advocating for a friend or an issue, being a good listener, sharing resources, helping others achieve their goals, and teaching something new. All of these helps build a foundation for giving that goes beyond monetary contributions.  

Engaging children of all ages in philanthropy and giving not only imparts valuable life lessons but also shapes them into compassionate, socially responsible adults, far beyond just thoughtful contributors. By tailoring activities to their age and maturity level, you can instill the values of empathy, generosity, and kindness from an early age.  

Teaching children about philanthropy is an investment in creating in forging a brighter and more compassionate future for our society. This investment carries a double benefit: it contributes to the greater good of our community while simultaneously shaping the character and values of the child.   

In this blog, we'll explore the importance of including kids in philanthropy and provide practical tips on how to do so effectively. 

Talking about Philanthropy nurtures empathy and compassion: Philanthropy helps children understand the needs of others, it fosters empathy, and teaches children to care for the less fortunate. These experiences help them become more socially responsible individuals. 

It Builds Responsibility: Philanthropy instills a sense of responsibility for making the world a better place, fostering a lifelong commitment to social and environmental causes. 

Generosity fuels joy and fulfillment: Engaging kids in philanthropic activities fosters a generous spirit, it helps them understand the joy of giving. This understanding can lead to a more selfless and giving attitude in adulthood and create a legacy of caring for others. For instance, a 2012 study titled “Giving Leads to Happiness in Young Children” conducted by the University of British Columbia’ Psychology Department, found that toddlers exhibit greater happiness when giving treats to others compared to receiving treats and they were happier when engaging in costly giving, which involved forfeiting their own resources, as compared to when they were giving the same treat at no cost. 

Philanthropy helps instill values: Philanthropy instills important values such as compassion, kindness, and a sense of responsibility to the community and the planet. Additionally, studies have shown that people who engage in philanthropy tend to have a stronger sense of purpose and life satisfaction, there is a strong connection between prosocial behavior and well-being. For example, a study published in the “Journal of experimental Child Psychology” in 2019, examined the association between children’s subjective well-being, or happiness, and their sharing behavior. It concluded that when sharing was less obligatory, higher levels of happiness were linked to higher levels of sharing. 

It’s Educational!: Philanthropy offers hands-on education about social issues, charitable organizations, financial literacy, and resource allocation. Research shows that students who are involved in service-learning programs, where they combine academic learning with community service, tend to perform better in school because these programs provide real world context. For instance, a study published in the "Journal of Experiential Education" in 2017 found that students who participated in service-learning programs not only achieved higher grades but also demonstrated increased problem-solving skills and critical thinking abilities. 

Philanthropy creates an opportunity to foster financial literacy: When children engage in philanthropic activities, they learn valuable financial lessons, such as budgeting, saving, and making choices about where to allocate resources. This financial literacy can serve them well in the future.  

It develops leadership skills and collaboration: Philanthropy helps kids develop leadership and organizational skills while learning to work effectively with others, fostering communication and relationship-building abilities.    

Start family discussions: Start by having age-appropriate conversations about various social issues and the importance of giving and its impact on the world. To facilitate these discussions during your next mealtime, consider using prompts available at https://thefamilydinnerproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/The-Family-Dinner-and-On-the-Table-2017.pdf 

Choose causes together: Let children select causes they care about, like supporting animal shelters, feeding the homeless, or tree planting. 

Volunteer together: Encourage children to volunteer their time, whether it's helping at a food bank, visiting nursing homes, or cleaning up local parks. Explore community youth-focused philanthropic programs for structured involvement. 

Create a shared giving budget: Allocate part of the family budget for charitable donations and let children have a say in how the funds are donated. 

Plan fundraising initiatives: Organize family fundraising events, from bake sales to charity walks, involving children in the planning and execution. 

Celebrate philanthropic milestones: Recognize and celebrate their philanthropic achievements to keep them engaged and motivated. 

Lead by Example: Be a philanthropic role model as kids learn to value giving by seeing those around them give and how that makes a difference for others. Ingrain giving in your everyday lives, not just during the holiday season. 

The influence of role models on children's behavior is undeniable, and this extends to philanthropy as well. It is simple, parents who give are more likely to raise children who give.  

Children are more likely to engage in charitable activities and exhibit prosocial behavior, when they witness their parents setting an example by giving or volunteering. Moreover, when parents engage in meaningful conversations with their children about what it means to give, it further reinforces the values and principles of philanthropy in the young ones. According to a 2013 study from the Women’s Philanthropy Institute at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, children whose parents engage in conversations about giving are 20 percent more likely to donate than children whose parents do not discuss giving with them.  

Sara Konrath, an assistant professor of philanthropic studies at Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, suggests that teaching children generosity is more effective when both actions and words are combined. This concept is echoed by research conducted by Mark Ottoni-Wilhelm at Indiana University, which reveals that adolescents with parents who both lead by example and discuss giving are 33% more likely to donate. Similarly, those with parents who model volunteering and engage in discussions about giving have a 47% higher probability of volunteering compared to adolescents whose parents do neither. 

While there may not be an extensive body of research with specific statistics on the science of giving in children, several studies and surveys suggest that teaching philanthropy to children and encouraging them to give contributes to their holistic development. It can lead to enhanced social and emotional development, improved academic performance, and long-term well-being.  

Engaging children in philanthropic activities nurtures early empathy, kindness, and social responsibility, shaping them into compassionate and socially conscious adults with lifelong habits of generosity and altruism. This, in turn, contributes to the creation of a more empathetic and socially responsible society.  

More families are making philanthropy a part of their dinner table conversations, using it as a powerful way to invest in a brighter future. So, why wait? Start involving your children in philanthropy today and watch them evolve into a caring, responsible, and socially conscious generation who will make a significant impact on the world.  

As a family, you might be interested in actively engaging with United Way in the context of kids’ philanthropy. There are lots of ways for families to get involved.  For example, you could consider collecting essential items for United Way to distribute. You can also search for additional volunteer opportunities in the region through Volunteer HQ at https://supportunitedway.galaxydigital.com/need/