Five tips for encouraging philanthropy

1. Let your kids choose. Help your teens identify a cause or organization that supports something they are passionate about. For instance, if your son loves animals, encourage him to volunteer time or contribute money to the local animal shelter.
2. Check out different organizations. Kids treasure every penny they have, so they’ll want to know their money is being put to good use. Suggest that they find out how certain nonprofit groups use their funds and whether they qualify as charitable organizations. You can find a lot of useful information online at sites like CharityNavigator.org or Give.org, which is sponsored by the Better Business Bureau®.
3. Stay local. Choosing a charity that is close to home makes the support more tangible—your teens can actually visit the organization to see firsthand how their support helps.
4. Match the donation dollar for dollar. Nothing encourages your kids to give more than seeing you do so as well. So, support both the organization and your children by matching the donation.
5. Make philanthropy a family affair. Volunteer together and make decisions as a family about how to allocate charitable contributions.

Giving back isn’t just about money. Encourage your kids to also devote time and skills by volunteering for a worthy cause or charity. VolunteerMatch.org is one place to start.