Family-friendly charities focus on issues that children will likely want to invest in. So, we’ve put together a list of five to choose from to make your holiday giving easy.
You amazing church leaders and parents likely have family-friendly charities you love to support. Share with us in the comments how giving has encouraged generosity in the kids you nurture.
Raising Funds to Donate
There are a few ways to gather holiday giving funds with your child to donate to charity.
First, simply tell your child a set amount you will allow them to give. Then, go online and have them go through the screens necessary to donate to the charity they choose.
Second, if your child has a piggy bank, or something similar, invite them to take funds from there. Then, send that money (or a check of equal value) to one of the family-friendly charities you choose. Or drop the money in person, if the organization is local.
Third, create easy ways for them to raise funds to donate. For example, invite them to be in charge of saving aluminum cans in your home. Then, take them to the recycling center to redeem the cans for coins.
To best teach children about holiday giving, connect them to concrete actions as often as possible. Keep this in mind, especially if your child is young. On the other hand, youth are better equipped to think abstractly. Encouraging teenagers to give can be a bit less involved for this reason.
5 Family-Friendly Charities to Support
No Kid Hungry
No Kid Hungry knows that we have plenty of food in the United States. And we have meal programs that work. The problem is that not enough kids are able to access them.
That’s a problem they know how to solve. And your kids can be a part of the solution.
KaBOOM!
KaBOOM! knows that kids are missing out on the childhood they deserve. Play is disappearing at home, at school, and in communities, particularly for the 14 million children living in poverty.
So, the organization pairs funding partners with under-resourced communities who come together to build safe playgrounds, in just one day, resulting in kids feeling valued.
Alex’s Lemonade Stand
Alex’s Lemonade Stand strives to change the lives of children with cancer through funding impactful research, raising awareness, supporting families, and empowering everyone to help cure childhood cancer.
Alexandra “Alex” Scott held a front yard lemonade sale to raise money for childhood cancer. She herself was diagnosed with cancer just before she turned one and passed away at the age of eight. So, her family carries on her legacy through this organization.
DONATE to Alex’s Lemonade Stand.
Defenders of Wildlife
Defenders of Wildlife is a major national conservation organization focused solely on wildlife and habitat conservation and the safeguarding of biodiversity.
It is one of the family-friendly charities that focuses on the inherent value of wildlife and the natural world, and this defines their important niche in the environmental and conservation community.
DONATE to Defenders of Wildlife.
Hope International
Hope International focuses on something more abstract: entrepreneurship in developing countries. Therefore, it may be a good choice for youth in your family. This charity assists individuals turn their talents, education, or skills into sustainable businesses.
For example, your child may be able to help a woman buy a stove to set up her bakery. Or, they may buy a share of a greenhouse to help a farmer grow vegetables to sell.
Giving is a Gift
All of us here at ICM hope you and your family find joy in holiday giving this season. Making this time to encourage generosity at home is a gift to your kids, for sure. So, we hope our list of five family-friendly charities helps. And don’t forget to tell us in the comments how you’re encouraging generosity in your kids!