Jenny Friedman, Executive Director of Doing Good Together shared some interesting thoughts in the Doing Good Together newsletter. “Even young children can get excited about charitable giving if done right. Along the way, they’ll learn valuable lessons in money management, philanthropic values, empathy and community involvement. Engaging kids in giving doesn’t have to be difficult or involve big dollars. Indeed, all of us can be philanthropists — no matter how much money we have to share.

Charitable giving can empower young people to make thoughtful, meaningful choices that impact the lives of others. There are a variety of ways to engage children in charitable giving, depending on their ages and your own family traditions and values. Some possibilities:

• Select a “family cause” that your brood will be inclined to support for a year or more. You can hold a fundraiser for the cause, collect items from the organization’s wish list, donate your family’s own charitable giving dollars, volunteer for the group, or explain the group’s work to others.
• Create and decorate your own “giving box” or jar where family members can put their loose change. When it’s full, decide together where to donate the proceeds.

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