The Money Couple Minute -
4 Ways to Unleash Your Child’s Generosity

We are a nation of givers. The Center on Wealth and Philanthropy at Boston College estimates that in 2009, individual charitable giving amounted to $217.3 billion dollars1. That money went to places like the ravaged nation of Haiti, the Salvation Army, state disaster relief funds, and local food banks and homeless shelters. As adults, we’re doing a great job giving to others. But what about our kids? More and more, we talk to parents who want to know how to pass on a spirit of giving to their children.

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It’s certainly not easy. Kids are bombarded with messages of greed and materialism. According to the Nielson company that rates television usage, the average child sees 20,000 30-second commercials each year. That’s an awfully loud voice telling our kids they need more stuff.

But you can counter the message to have more and nurture your child's innate generosity. Here’s how:

1. Plug into their passions. Whether your child is 3 or 13, she’s got interests that can spark a desire to help others. Think about what your child loves - stuffed animals, sports, trading cards, dance - and use it as a starting point. If your child loves football, consider donating to a Pop Warner program for underprivileged kids (Pop Warner). If she’s on a cheerleading squad, help her find ways the whole group can raise money for a cause (Cheerleaders for Charity). If he loves collecting trains, consider donating a train set to an Angel Tree project in town (Angeltree).


2. Turn hard times into helping hands. If your family has suffered a loss, dealt with an illness, or struggled financially, your child has an automatic connection with other kids in the same boat. And that connection can open up their hearts. When Bethany was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago, our children learned that it takes money to support research and that the treatments discovered through that research saved her life. Donating to cancer research had an obvious appeal to our kids (Susan G Komen for the Cure).


3. Keep it up. We know that the needs in our communities don’t go away when the holidays are over, but donations often do. Help your child stay involved for the long haul by checking in on the charity’s website, reading about the organization and the people it helps, and attending related events. Help your child see that giving can happen any time.


4. Match his funds. Once you decide on an organization to support, commit to matching your child’s contribution dollar for dollar. If your child is doing a service project or donating toys instead, figure out how you can give an equivalent donation of time or effort. Your example will speak volumes to your child.

By staying involved, being intentional, and encouraging your child’s giving, you’ll keep her generous heart beating strong.

Money Huddle Tip: During your next Money Huddle, set a time to sit down with your kids and talk about giving. Go through the above suggestions and choose how you want to help others this month.


¹Center on Wealth and Philanthropy, Individual Giving Model, July 2010.


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