The holidays inspire a spirit of giving and gratitude, bringing families together. Many individuals and families increase their charitable giving in the last few months of the year, and when it becomes a family affair, every generation has the opportunity to share their interests and passions.
Family philanthropy is the practice of families uniting to support charitable causes and positively impact society by engaging members of all ages in giving back—whether through donations, volunteering, or sharing skills and resources. These philanthropic conversations allow families to express shared values, and by linking these values to specific causes, they foster compassion, connection, and active community engagement.
Whether you’re just getting started or are seasoned givers, here are our top tips and conversation starters for engaging in meaningful conversations with your family this holiday season.
Start small – use casual face-to-face time to engage in conversation.
- What are your core values and beliefs? An open conversation about things your family holds true connects directly to issues and causes that ground philanthropic efforts.
- Share stories and memories about the giving traditions of older generations or other philanthropic inspirations. Storytelling gives younger family members role models and examples to emulate—and make their own. In turn, listening to their impressions and feedback can boost understanding and appreciation.
- Discuss giving goals and different ways to provide support. Encourage everyone to think about how they would like to/can contribute! This helps everyone recognize that philanthropy, including large and small acts, makes a difference in the world while supporting overall charitable goals and strategy.
- Explore causes together, research and discuss. Look into organizations and discuss missions, impact, and activities together. Involving everyone helps teach younger members of the family about effective giving.
Once your family is ready, you can take larger steps.
- Give kids a say in causes or organizations the family supports. Begin to involve others in making decisions about where and when to give; work and make decisions as a team while connecting to individual passions, hobbies, and interests.
- Get hands on. Members of every generation in a family can benefit from a range of options that provide tangible ways to make a difference in your community.
- Make a plan together. While formalizing goals, intentions, and decision-making together may take many forms, having a plan in place, and discussing it together ensures lasting impact.
- Utilize a giving vehicle, like a donor advised fund (DAF) to engage younger generations in the process. A DAF through Austin Community Foundation, for example, can support overall financial goals and provide meaningful community connection.
- Assess your collective impact by sharing how much each of you has volunteered, how many visits you’ve made to organizations, and how your giving has grown over time. Reflect together on what you’ve learned and the difference you’ve made.
Finally, wherever your family is in its philanthropic journey, make it fun!
Incorporate philanthropy into family activities, sharing experiences and making memories together. Working together as a family in philanthropy develops a sense of connectedness and cohesion, even across distance and the different life stages of generations. Taking actions and making a difference together also shapes a family legacy of impact.
It’s never too early, or too late. Everyone’s philanthropy will evolve as their experiences and perspectives expand. Over the dinner table, and holiday traditions, families can bond over a common purpose as they work to make a difference in ways that are both personally rewarding and meaningful as a family. The goal is to foster a culture of giving within the family, teaching empathy, social responsibility, and the joy of making a positive difference in the world. It’s about creating a family tradition that extends beyond personal success to include a broader sense of purpose and community engagement.
To learn more about the resources Austin Community Foundation can provide for you and your family, please contact us.