At Rancho Santa Fe Foundation, we are honored to work with families who see philanthropy as part of their legacy. For many parents and grandparents, charitable giving is not only about supporting meaningful causes today, but also about passing along values of generosity, stewardship, and community responsibility to the next generation.
We often hear a version of the same question: How can we help our children or grandchildren become more engaged in giving?
At every age, children and grandchildren can begin learning about giving in ways that are appropriate to their interests and experiences. They can ask questions, form their own opinions, and explore the issues they want to support. They may also be eager to contribute in ways that feel personal, practical, and connected to the world around them.
Experiences centered on learning about and helping others can support a sense of purpose, confidence, and connection. For families, philanthropy can become a valuable way to deepen conversations and help children and grandchildren see themselves as part of a larger community.
Getting started does not need to be complicated. Below are ten simple ways to invite children and grandchildren into your family’s charitable giving.
- Ask what they care about
Many adults begin by sharing the causes and organizations they already support. That can be valuable, but it is often even more effective to begin by asking children and grandchildren what matters to them.
They may care about education, animals, the environment, mental health, military and veteran families, homelessness prevention, fire preparedness, or neighbors facing hardship. Listening first can create a stronger foundation for meaningful conversations and deeper engagement over time.
- Volunteer together
Giving is about more than financial support. Spending time volunteering as a family can help children and grandchildren see firsthand how nonprofit organizations serve the community and why charitable giving matters.
A single volunteer experience can open the door to larger conversations about need, service, leadership, and the role each person can play in strengthening the community.
- Let them help make giving decisions
Families with a fund at Rancho Santa Fe Foundation may consider inviting children or grandchildren to participate in a portion of their annual grantmaking conversations. Even a modest amount set aside for giving led by younger family members can help them build confidence and understand the thoughtfulness behind philanthropy.
Some families also use these conversations to share why they support certain causes, how they evaluate nonprofit organizations, and what they hope their family’s giving will make possible.
- Visit local nonprofits
Many nonprofit organizations welcome opportunities to share their work with interested families. A site visit, tour, or brief conversation with nonprofit leadership can help children and grandchildren connect charitable giving to real people, real programs, and real outcomes.
Even a short visit can be eye opening and may help children and grandchildren better understand how generosity translates into community impact.
- Encourage children and grandchildren to research charities
Ask your children or grandchildren to choose an issue they care about and learn more about organizations working in that area. This can help develop critical thinking and introduce important questions, such as:
- What is the organization’s mission?
- Who does it serve?
- How does it measure impact?
- How might our giving help?
RSFF can help families identify resources and community organizations that align with their interests.
- Talk about family values
Philanthropy often reflects a family’s history, values, and hopes for the future. Sharing why your family supports certain causes can help children and grandchildren understand that giving is not simply a financial transaction. It is an expression of what your family believes in.
For example, your family may support a particular organization because of a personal experience, a longstanding relationship, or a commitment to addressing a specific community need. These stories can help younger family members see giving as part of a larger family legacy.
- Help them give their own money
Whether it is a portion of allowance, earnings from a summer job, or birthday money, giving their own resources can be a powerful experience for children and grandchildren.
When children and grandchildren make their own charitable gifts, even small ones, they can begin to understand the responsibility and satisfaction that comes with supporting something they believe in.
- Introduce children and grandchildren to impactful leaders
Many parents and grandparents know people who are making a difference in meaningful ways, including nonprofit leaders, civic volunteers, board members, business leaders, and philanthropists.
Introducing children and grandchildren to these individuals can help them understand that community leadership is carried out by real people who choose to give their time, talent, and resources. These conversations can be especially powerful as younger family members begin to imagine the kind of impact they may want to have in the future.
Rancho Santa Fe Foundation nonprofit fundholder Junior Achievement of San Diego County reflects this same principle by helping youth connect with real world lessons in financial literacy, work readiness, entrepreneurship, and future opportunities. Their work is a reminder that connecting youth with community leaders and practical learning experiences can help them see themselves as capable contributors to the world around them.
- Invite children and grandchildren to events in the community
Some community events, educational programs, and nonprofit gatherings may be appropriate and engaging for children or grandchildren, depending on their ages and interests. These experiences can help younger family members learn about local needs, hear from leaders in the field, and see philanthropy in action.
Families are welcome to ask the RSFF team whether an upcoming event may be a good fit for younger family members.
- Focus on progress, not perfection
There is no single right way to involve children or grandchildren in philanthropy. The goal is not to create experts overnight. The goal is to create opportunities for curiosity, conversation, and participation.
Small experiences can make a lasting difference. A conversation around the dinner table, a volunteer morning, a nonprofit visit, or a shared giving decision can help children and grandchildren build lifelong habits of generosity and civic engagement.
At Rancho Santa Fe Foundation, we believe one of the greatest gifts families can pass to the next generation is the understanding that they have the ability to make a meaningful difference. Through our work with families and nonprofit fundholders, we see how early exposure to generosity, leadership, and community responsibility can shape lifelong habits of service. We would be pleased to help your family begin or continue that conversation.
