One way to make charitable giving a family habit is to schedule it. Make it a regular tradition on the same day every year.
The end of year holidays are a popular time, but they can be mighty hectic. Try anchoring your family giving to a day near a holiday instead of right on one. Like #GivingTuesday. It’s the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving, and it’s the perfect charitable bookend to the rabid consumerism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
What is #GivingTuesday? It’s a global day of giving that has been gaining momentum through social media since 2012. You can read all about it here.
To get the ball rolling on #GivingTuesday this year, help your kids:
- Set a giving goal. Encourage the kids to set goals for how much and where to donate. Looking for ideas? Consider scouring DonorsChoose for a classroom project that resonates. Or, make small amounts go extra far in the developing world with GiveWell.
- Allocate funds. Set up a separate jar, prepaid card, or account to accumulate a portion of each allowance, chore, odd job, or birthday payment for charitable giving. After a thoughtful conversation, let your kid choose the percentage. The choice just might surprise you.
- Kick in a consumption tax. For extra credit, sweeten the charitable pot with a family-imposed Black Friday / Cyber Monday tax. Take 10% of non-essential purchases on those days, and add it to your charitable buckets. The tax will either amp up giving or tamp down spending. Either way, it’s a win.
- Celebrate with an #UNSelfie. As you’re disbursing your donations, capture the moment and post an #UNSelfie with the family on #GivingTuesday. That will encourage others to join in on the charitable giving buzz.
Start making charitable giving a holiday tradition — and a lifelong habit — with your kids this year. Mark #GivingTuesday on your family calendar today.
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