Many of us have taught our children about tithing and making charitable donations to organizations and causes of OUR choosing–but as children get older, we also need to help them learn how to evaluate and make their own choices about charities. As kids take ownership in causes of their own choosing, they can more fully experience the joys and responsibilities that come with charitable giving. They may need some guidance and encouragement, however, in figuring out who and what to give to.
My kids have been raised with volunteering and assisting me in making charitable donations–but I realized a couple years ago that they needed to learn how to make choices themselves. After all, how much vested interest did they really have with charities that I chose? While they could “witness” charity in the home, it wasn’t anything emotional or personal. That was when I came up with the $100 give-away…
I told my kids that I would put forth $100 and the three of them would have to figure out how it was spent on charities and causes. They could divide it up three ways and each of them could donate the money as they chose, or they could form a little “committee” and decide how much to give to which organizations, or they could even give it all to one place if they so chose. I decided I would serve more as an advisor and researcher if they needed help discovering who they wanted to give to, but it would all be up to them. What my kids ended up doing was that each of them put forth a few charities that they had heard about or knew of and were interested in, then they made a list. I think that first year they each picked two favorites and then they divided up the money between them. There were a couple charities that two or all three of them were supportive of so those got a bigger chunk of money. The donations were made in their name and they got the “thank you” notes or letters (if there were any.) We did this exercise for a couple years before my kids took their charity giving into their own hands.
By getting a chance to practice and still develop autonomy around charitable donations while still at home, kids gain experience and confidence, and learn how to evaluate and choose their own charities and causes.
Also: Family Home Evening: Tithes and Offerings
Primary Time: Teaching Your Children About Tithing