Giving their time through household jobs is a start, later volunteering in the community, through to giving a portion of their pocket money to a charity of their choice.
For many donors, families are important in shaping the way we give to charitable causes in our communities. Family histories are often a significant factor in helping us to decide on the causes that we will give to and also the size of gifts.
Family discussions about charitable giving can also create wonderful opportunities for parents and grandparents to teach children about the role of philanthropy in community and society.
Parents or grandparents can make gifts to charities that they consider important in honour of their children. Likewise children can make such gifts to honour parents or grandparents.
In the United States it is becoming more common for families to make gifts to honour special occasions in the life of a family.
Lessons learned at an early age can enable families to pass the tradition of philanthropy from one generation to the next. The next generation can be encouraged to think carefully about how their family's giving can enrich a community.
For many families it needs to be recognised that gifts to charities can reduce the amount that may be available to other family members. It is therefore advisable that families talk openly with each other about their charitable giving.
Often when family members learn more about charitable giving and the motivation behind such gifts they become more comfortable and supportive.
A family trust is a mechanism that can be used both to benefit a family and the community. In order for gifts to be made to charitable organisations there must be provision in the trust deed that allows such gifts to be made.
In setting up a family trust it is important to think carefully about what you wish to achieve with your giving and to consult a lawyer about how such requirements can be structured within the trust.
Some families are now giving the next generation a role specified in the trust deed around charitable giving in order to pass on the legacy of philanthropic attitudes. Other families prefer to use more informal mechanisms.
Gifts made from a Family Trust to a qualifying charitable organisation are fully tax-deductible, in contrast to the limit that is available to individuals. For families in higher tax brackets and those wishing to give larger gifts, giving through a family trust is therefore a more tax effective option.
The United States' Council on Foundations has produced a book about encouraging philanthropy in the family.
The Giving Family outlines eight specific steps parents, grandparents, teachers; religious leaders and other adults can take to instil the spirit of giving and volunteering in children aged 5 to 18.
It explains how children can learn philanthropy in and out of the home, how young people can become involved with not-for-profit groups as advisors or even as board members, and how parents can learn from the experiences of family foundations.
With tips and activities interspersed throughout, as well as scores of inspired ideas and real stories, this 119-page volume is a must read for anyone who wants to foster volunteerism and philanthropy in children. You can find more information and purchase details at
Other ideas coming out of the United States that are transferable to New Zealand can be found in Family matters - instilling philanthropic values [PDF 466kb].
It puts the spotlight on successful giving programmes, it has advice on when to teach your children about money and has a number of links to other organisations working in this field.
Contact us if you are working with a successful programme or know of work being done to shape philanthropic values in kids