Kids for causes
Filed Under Tips & Tricks | September 22, 2008
Want your child to connect to the larger world? Show compassion to others less fortunate? Pint–sized philanthropy can be a great way to build empathy.
Discuss with your child what they think would make the world a better place. Use your own giving as an example to show how connecting wishes to actions can make a difference. Once they’ve chosen how they would like to make a difference help them choose a charity.
While you might prefer to start close to home – this might be a little too close for your child. The same child that will donate to hungry kids in Africa can find hungry kids in their own town overwhelming. Likewise donating to a “cure” can create unrealistic expectations and guilt if a friend or family member is seriously ill.
The important thing is to let your child be the decision maker – that way they’ll be more apt to stay with it.
In our house the North Island Wildlife Recovery Association down the road from the grandparents’ house was the perfect combination of personal and positive.
Once your child is ready to start saving (whether that be from old toy sales, a lemonade stand or allowance) three things are important.
- Only a portion of what they save or earn should be for charity – if children feel hard done by it will become a negative experience.
- Set a goal that can be reached in 2-4 months – it feels good to give, let them experience that relatively quickly and often.
- Keep the cause front and centre – pictures and updates help motivate. And, have them express “why” with a note or drawing to accompany their donation.
Once they’ve donated don’t forget to tell them how proud you are of the difference they are making.
A few ideas to get you started:
YWCA’s Crabtree Corner provides birthday celebrations for the children that use their services and accepts donations of presents.
The Evergreen Foundation helps schools create gardens and green spaces to provide students with a healthy place to play, learn and develop a respect for nature.
Kiva is a great place for older kids to put donations to work. Donors lend to entrepreneurs in the developing world. Once the initial loan is repaid they can reinvest their donation in another project.
One final idea may seem like sacrilege to parents but is met with enthusiasm by many kids. Have an Echoage birthday. Invitees donate instead of bringing presents – the money is split between a chosen cause and one larger meaningful gift of the child’s choice.
Further resources for parents:
The Giving Book: Open The Door To A Lifetime Of Giving by Ellen Sabin
Before Shoni Field started Lime Communications she spent 10 years fundraising for environmental, health and youth non-profits – letters from kids always had a special place on the staff room bulletin board. For Shoni’s previous article full of inspiring ideas for your potentially unexpected role as a parent fundraiser, click here.
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