Passing On Your Charitable Giving Tendencies

The most important thing that parents pass on to their children is their values, and for many, charitable giving is amount those values.  So how do you build that charitable instinct in your child or grandchild?  As with most things in life, children learn by example. 

If you volunteer, your children are more likely to follow in your footsteps.  Parents involved in charitable pursuits, tend to have children with hearts for charity as well.  So next time you volunteer your services to someone in need, consider involving your child or grandchild as well.  Even chores as simple as sweeping up in a soup kitchen or serving food at a homeless shelter can begin a great foundation.  Assuming that you volunteer in a safe environment, having your child "see you in action" can have a double benefit.

Another idea recently passed on to me by Certified Financial Planner, Jocelyn Holzwarth, is using a child's allowance to support charitable giving.  Consider matching a small portion of the allowance if your child contributes some of the allowance to a worthy cause.  For younger children, making the cash gift tangible by turning it into a small toy for underprivileged children can make a big difference.