Encourage a Culture of Giving in Your Family

For many families, it is important that their children grow up to become caring, generous adults with philanthropic values. The Columbus Foundation can provide you with effective ways to promote charitable giving within your family.

Establishing a Family Tradition of Giving—Your Role

Establishing a family tradition is, by definition, a personal experience; there's no formula that's right for everyone. Through sensitivity, passion, and commitment, families can foster a charitable value system and awareness that is rewarding and enduring. Here are some guidelines for you to think about.

Clarify your own values

What experiences and people have been key in shaping your core values and passions? What do your choices in career, free time, lifestyle, spending, and giving tell you and your children about your most important values? What motivates you to want to include your children in a charitable activity? Are the values that you care most deeply about consistent with how you spend your time? Your money?

Communicate and celebrate your values

As a parent, you have expectations for your children. Why not communicate the same expectations for charitable giving? Discussing your financial values is also an excellent way to communicate your beliefs and how your values influence your charitable giving. Celebrate your values by telling your children about a gift of your time or money that you found to be highly satisfying. The process of communicating values is lengthy, but priceless.

Provide Opportunities for children to act upon their own philanthropic values

Remind your children that regardless of personal wealth, they can use their talents to help others. Talk about family or friends who have made contributions to the community such as heading the PTA, volunteering as a board member of a charity, or participating in a park clean-up. Getting children and grandchildren involved early allows them to see the impact of the family’s charitable work firsthand and helps prepare them to carry on your charitable legacy.

For your convenience, download a copy of our A Family Tradition guidebook, or request a copy by mail. The Columbus Foundation staff is here to help you design a flexible, innovative, charitable legacy by creating the unique fund or foundation that will help you achieve your goals.

To learn more, contact a member of our Donor Services team by e-mail or at 614/251-4000. Or, if you are interested in becoming a donor, please complete this brief Become a Donor form and a Donor Services officer will respond within the next business day.