Discover how family philanthropy can bring generations together around shared values, spark meaningful conversations, and make a lasting impact—whether you give $10 or $10,000.
Family philanthropy is more than a charitable act — it’s a shared journey that connects generations through values, purpose, and impact. Whether your family is just beginning to explore giving or has been engaged in philanthropy for decades, working together to make a difference can strengthen relationships and deepen your collective sense of purpose.
Giving together can spark powerful conversations about what your family cares about most. It’s a chance to explore values, reflect on your hopes for the world, and connect across generations in a meaningful way. At its core, family philanthropy isn’t just about making a financial contribution, it’s about building a legacy of compassion, generosity, and shared responsibility.
Philanthropy offers a natural entry point to discuss values, family history, and purpose. Consider these approaches:
Choose the right moment: Holidays, birthdays, or the start of a new year can be natural times to reflect and plan together. You could also bring giving into times of stress to help family members channel anxiety about the world into meaningful action. This can help individual members of your family feel both heard in their fears and supported in their hopes.
Ask open-ended questions: Start with prompts like “What causes matter most to you?” or “Where would you like to make a difference?” These questions invite authentic sharing without pressure.
Build on their interests: A lifelong love of all-things-turtles, for example, could naturally open the door to fundraising for a project protecting turtles. This approach can help overwhelmed family members narrow the giving pool by building on their natural connections.
Align on values: Invite each family member to name one value that matters to them. Values are things like fairness, curiosity, or stewardship. You can then explore causes that align with these shared principles.
Even a single conversation can lay the foundation for a more intentional giving practice that grows alongside your family.
Introducing children to giving early can help them build empathy, gratitude, and a lifelong commitment to community. Here are some age-appropriate ideas:
Many families delay philanthropy because they think they need a foundation or significant resources. In truth, family giving can be simple, informal, and still deeply impactful. A small recurring donation, a shared favorite project, or a family tradition of supporting a different cause each year can all create lasting meaning and connection.
GlobalGiving offers thousands of vetted projects around the world, many of which are perfect for sparking conversations with kids, teens, and adults alike. Whether you give $10 or $10,000, you can support community-led organizations tackling urgent challenges in education, health, climate, and more.
Explore projects together at GlobalGiving.org and let each family member share a project that interests them.
No matter how you begin, family philanthropy is a powerful way to learn, grow, and make a difference, together. The conversations you have, the values you explore, and the impact you create will become part of your family’s story. And how fun and special is it to shape that story together?
Choose a project to support as a family and make your first gift together.
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