I Learned it by Watching You…
By: Bailee Neyland, Development Marketing
How did you first learn about the importance of giving? Many learn by example, witnessing their parents or other family members donating time or money to a cause. However we may learn about giving, it is equally as important to pass along the value of philanthropy from generation to generation as it is to give. Here are some tips for approaching a family giving philosophy:
Talk about giving early and often.
Young children often need help learning to share. By being a role model and including the entire family in giving decisions or activities, you can accustom your children to view giving as something automatic. Don’t just limit giving lessons to the very young in your family, though. Young adults can often find a deeper understanding of the world around them through philanthropic perspectives.
Involve the family in philanthropic decisions.
It may be faster to just cut a check and move on, but you could be making double-the-difference by inspiring your children to help choose what and how your family will support a cause. For example, if you are making a gift to a school, allow your child to help choose an area to which a gift will be designated; you could ask, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” and then have your child make a small gift to that area. Then, perhaps visit a school and that particular area and expose your child to others pursuing the goal they’ve supported, showing how gifts from other people may help their future, too.
It’s not all about the Benjamins.
Giving doesn’t always have to be about money. Volunteering and performing acts of service as a family is a great way to bond with each other while also helping others. Plus, working and spending time together toward a common goal can be a lot of fun!
There are many ways to inspire your family to join in and experience the rewards of giving. Talk about the impact together and help your whole family to see the difference they’ve made for others.
If you would like to include Gonzaga in your family giving philosophy, you can find service opportunities as well as financial giving opportunities on our website.