What is “cool” these days?
As parents of kids in elementary and middle school, we want to help our kids be cool – even though it’s hard to keep up with the latest trends.
Often, being cool is related to the latest technology gadget or toy, while sometimes it’s cool to have a special talent or knowledge about arcane subjects. While the next cool thing is pretty important for kids ages 8-14, parents still very much influence their children’s behaviors, beliefs and interests. We can help kids understand that giving back is cool.
According to Learning to Give, youth flourish when they participate in philanthropy, feeling a sense of ownership and pride, and also more connected to their communities.
For philanthropists who work with The San Diego Foundation and want to grow their children’s commitment to giving back, we recommend the following strategies to instill curiosity about how your actions can make a meaningful difference to your family and the world.
Encourage Awareness:
[Tweet “.@keelybamberg shares how parents can help children realize that giving back is cool #philanthropy”]
Grow Their Passion:
Young philanthropists volunteer for the Endangered Habitats League, a nonprofit in San Diego.
Once your children are more focused on where they want to make a difference, it may be time to participate in youth philanthropy forums.
For example, the Building Tomorrow Together Conference will be hosted by the Frieda C. Fox Family Foundation from July 7-9, 2016 at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel® in Anaheim, California. The event is targeted toward youth philanthropists and the adults who support them.
Another possibility is to link them with teen philanthropy programs such as SVP Teens, a program hosted by San Diego Social Venture Partners, or the Jewish Teen Foundation at San Diego’s Jewish Community Foundation.
The San Diego Foundation wants to ensure that giving back stays on the “cool list”, and we look forward to helping you guide your budding philanthropist, along with other young stewards of our community’s future.
How are you encouraging your child to be philanthropic? Help fellow San Diego parents out by sharing your efforts in the comments below!
On August 9, 2022, we awarded $838,704 in Opening the Outdoors grants to 24 nonprofit organizations that offer equitable access to outdoor spaces in San Diego County.
“San Diego Foundation is proud to once again support its partners committed to increasing community-driven efforts to enhance accessible outdoor space, encourage youth to learn more through hands-on education and create the next generation of environmental stewards in the San Diego region,” said Christiana DeBenedict, SDF Director of Environment Initiatives.
This year’s grantees will help address these inequities and enhance access to the outdoors throughout San Diego County.
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