This special collection was curated by our Engaging Youth Peer Network. We thank them for their leadership and sharing. Unless otherwise noted, all resources listed are intended to be able to be used directly with kids.
Please see the NCFP Content Collection, Igniting the Spark: Engaging Next-gen and Youth in Family Philanthropy for additional information and resources.
Getting Started
It’s never too early to start thinking about how to instill philanthropic values in your children. Here are resources to get started!
I’m a Philanthropist! Philanthropy Lesson (Learning to Give, grades K-2)
This lesson introduces the definition of philanthropy. The children are given the opportunity to see that philanthropy is something in which they are capable of participating.
Starting Conversations
These games and tools will help you broach important topics with children in a fun way.
Wonderopolis, (National Center for Families Learning)
Each day, Wonderopolis poses an intriguing question—the Wonder of the Day®—and explores it in a variety of ways. Wonderopolis helps create learning moments in everyday life—ones that fit in with dinner preparations, carpool responsibilities, a stolen moment between breakfast and the bus, or within school curriculum and education programs.
TableTopics Gratitude Conversation Cards, as a part of the Kids Conversation Pack (ages 6+)
This collection of conversation starters is packed with topics kids love. From the really big, to the really small. Their favorite flavors and smells. And all the things they’re thankful for. These questions are guaranteed to get them talking about the whole wide world of things from their unique perspective.
OUR MOMENTS Kids, a series of conversation topics for family relationship building (ages 8-12)
These topics are designed to promote parent-child relationship building, promote listening skills, and foster empathy, compassion, and trust.
Exploring Series about wealth, next-gen donors, and giving (21/64)
The Exploring Series will inspire and support users as they discover what giving means to them, their attitudes and behaviors around their financial resources, and how to become the donors they aspire to be.
Understanding Values
Establishing clear values is critical to defining your philanthropic goals and creating a path forward.
Picture Your Legacy Cards & Motivational Values Cards (21/64)
Picture Your Legacy guides individuals, groups, and families toward articulating a legacy—be it in business, philanthropy, or life. The Motivational Values Cards act as a catalyst for engaging in meaningful conversations about what drives your decision-making process.
Values Discussion & Values List (Brené Brown)
Brené Brown shares behaviors and processes for operationalizing your organization’s values.
Finding Your Passion worksheet (One Percent Foundation)
How do you find a cause you want to support? How do you find your “perfect match” organization? Use this guide from Giving Circles Fund to narrow your passions into causes you can support through philanthropy!
Creating Your Mission worksheet (Greater Cincinnati Foundation)
The Greater Cincinnati Foundation’s worksheet provides a series of questions designed to help you craft a philanthropic mission statement.
Racial Equity & Social Justice
These tools can help you work with youth on their understanding of equity and justice and how it can be embedded into philanthropic work.
Social Justice Toolbox
The Social Justice Toolbox is a resource hub for free, curated, ready-to-rock social justice activities and facilitation guides designed to help you make the most of your diversity workshops and social justice trainings.
Social Justice Philanthropy Toolkit (Andrus Family Fund)
The goal of this toolkit is to inspire and cultivate the next generation of social justice philanthropy leaders. By completing modules that cover topics such as racial equity, oppressive systems and philanthropic traditions, we are providing young people with the tools they need to create a more just future.
Children’s book lists (EmbraceRace)
EmbraceRace has a variety of resources, webinars, and articles including lists of books to nurture embracing race in children.
Children’s Book list including race, identity, bias and bullying books by age (Anti-Defamation League)
ADL’s collection address issues of identity, bias and bullying. Their featured books come with discussion guides for teachers and parents.
Resources for discussion racism on with kids (Center for Racial Justice in Education)
The Center for Racial Justice in Education has crafted a robust list of resources for discussing race and racialized violence with children.
11 Children’s Books That Teach The Importance Of Understanding Privilege (Romper)
Extending the Invitation: Non-Family Junior Board Members (NCFP)
Sahar Afrakhan shares her experience as a non-family junior board member and advice on the deliberate involvement of youth in philanthropy.
Racism Town Hall (CNN & Sesame Street)
CNN’s Van Jones and Erica Hill partner with “Sesame Street” for Coming Together: Standing Up to Racism, a town hall for kids and families.
Something Happened in Our Town (Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins and Ann Hazzard)
Something Happened in Our Town is read aloud in a Story Time production from Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center and Atlantis School For Gifted Youngsters. This video for youth was produced as a part of their series that highlights children’s books that are inspiring, empowering and educational. Note: This video answers children’s question about traumatic events, specifically the shooting of a black man by police in a local community. Please consider watching with a trusted adult.
Videos to Watch
Videos are a great way to capture children’s attention and visually explain concepts. Here are some videos to watch with kids.
Give As We Grow (The Phillips Foundation)
Give As We Grow features video resources by age (3-6; 7-10; 11-14; 15-18) that use cartoon stories, profile youth philanthropists, and teach lessons on being generous.
Philanthropy and Service Learning: Why Do They Matter? (Learning to Give)
This whiteboard video defines, describes, and provides examples of philanthropy and service-learning perfect to educate and inspire any K-12 classroom.
So You Want to be a Family Foundation Board Member: Six Questions to Ask (NCFP)
Do you have younger family members who are interested in learning more about whether being a family foundation trustee is right for them? Are you looking for a quick and fun way to introduce them to concept of stewardship and the demands and possible challenges of being a foundation board member? Then this 5-minute video is right for you!
The Ultimate Gift
Based on the best-selling book “The Ultimate Gift” by Jim Stovall, the story sends trust fund baby Jason Stevens on an improbable journey of discovery, having to answer the ultimate question: “What is the relationship between wealth and happiness?” This is a full-length film.
Resources for Young Kids
Activities, books, and exploration for engaging young children in philanthropy.
Activities
The Giving Book: Open the Door to a Lifetime of Giving (Ellen Sabin)
An activity book, a journal, and a keepsake that inspires and records a child’s journey into a lifelong tradition of giving and charity.
Making Tzedakah a Shabbat Tradition (PJ Library)
Tzedakah is about making sure that all of the world’s resources (food, water, clothing, education, shelter, etc.) are shared justly. Starting a weekly tzedakah practice as part of your Shabbat routine is a wonderful way for families to reinforce this very special Jewish value.
Wonderopolis, (National Center for Families Learning)
Each day, Wonderopolis poses an intriguing question—the Wonder of the Day®—and explores it in a variety of ways. Wonderopolis helps create learning moments in everyday life—ones that fit in with dinner preparations, carpool responsibilities, a stolen moment between breakfast and the bus, or within school curriculum and education programs.
TableTopics Gratitude Conversation Cards, as a part of the Kids Conversation Pack (ages 6+)
This collection of conversation starters is packed with topics kids love. From the really big, to the really small. Their favorite flavors and smells. And all the things they’re thankful for. These questions are guaranteed to get them talking about the whole wide world of things from their unique perspective.
OUR MOMENTS Kids, a series of conversation topics for family relationship building (ages 8-12)
These topics are designed to promote parent-child relationship building, promote listening skills, and foster empathy, compassion, and trust.
Resources for Teens
Help teens harness their passions and innovation into philanthropic service.
Generous Genes: Raising Caring Kids in a Digital Age (Susan Crites Price)
Generous Genes is a road map for parents, grandparents and others who want to teach kids—from 2 to 20—to live compassionately. This indispensable guide is full of practical advice, inspiring stories and resources to help adults encourage their kids to share their time, talent, treasure…and ties. The fourth T reflects the new ways youth are using online tools and social media to generate support for the charitable causes they care about.
Creating Change Through Family Philanthropy: The Next Generation (Alison Goldberg, Karen Pittelman, and Resource Generation)
Creating Change Through Family Philanthropy explains how privilege works in our society, and how young people can use it to better society. Based on the authors’ experiences with Resource Generation, a national nonprofit working with wealthy young progressives, the book makes the case for addressing urgent social and economic needs financially.
The Power of Half: One Family’s Decision to Stop Taking and Start Giving Back (Kevin and Hannah Salwen)
As a family, the Salwens made the extraordinary decision to sell their Atlanta mansion, downsize to a house half its size, and give half of the sale price to a worthy charity. What began as an outlandish scheme became a remarkable journey that transported them across the globe and well out of their comfort zone. In the end they learned that they had the power to change a little corner of the world—and they found themselves changing, too.
It’s Your World: Get Informed, Get Inspired & Get Going! (Chelsea Clinton)
With stories about children and teens who have made real changes big and small—in their families, their communities, in our country and across the world—this book will inspire readers of all ages to do their part to make our world a better place.
Classified: Hope to Stop Hiding Your Privilege and Use it for Social Change (Karen Pittelman, Resource Generation)
The fight for economic justice can draw stark battle lines, with the fight portrayed simplistically as Us versus Them, with the rich in the role of “Them.” This conflict can lead most young people with wealth to keep their privilege hidden, making it impossible for them to bring their resources, access, and connections to the struggle for social change. Complete with comics, exercises, and personal stories, this book gives readers the tools they need to put their privilege to work for social change.
How to be an Everyday Philanthropist (Nicole Bouchard Boles)
A handbook, a resource guide, a call to action, and an inspiration, it offers 330 concrete, direct ideas for making a difference—all of which have nothing to do with the size of your checkbook and everything to do with using the hidden assets that are already a part of your life. Whether you’re shopping, working, exercising, or surfing the Web, there are hundreds of ways to slip small but deeply meaningful acts of philanthropy into your life, using over 600 of the most innovative and effective charitable organizations around.
The Generosity Plan: Sharing Your Time, Treasure, and Talent to Shape the World (Kathy LeMay)
This smart, practical guide to philanthropy illuminates the power of giving by helping readers to discover what inspires them, clarify what he or she can afford to give, and direct that generosity toward a better world.
Teen Philanthropy Café reader series (Exponent Philanthropy)
This series introduces young people to strategic, thoughtful philanthropy, and inspires them toward giving with impact. Families and adults who work with youth can use these guides to facilitate peer discussions and fun activities around giving.
Forward Thinking podcast (Foundation Source)
This 16-episode podcast by Dori Krieger explores the future of philanthropy with guests including David Callahan, Jean Case, Carrie Morgridge, and next-gen leaders.
Resources for Adults
Adults must make space for youth to participate in philanthropy. Learn about the power of youth engagement, how to bring on the next generation, and how to support children as they develop their own values.
Splendid Legacy 2: Creating and Re-Creating Your Family Foundation (NCFP)
Filled with advice and resources from the field’s foremost experts in family philanthropy, Splendid Legacy 2 is a must-own volume for any family that is looking to build a philanthropic legacy, as well as for advisors and others interested in understanding this special philanthropic vehicle. Friends of the Family can login to access a free digital copy here.
Inspired Philanthropy: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Giving Plan and Leaving a Legacy (Tracy Gary)
Inspired Philanthropy explains how to make a difference by creating giving and legacy plans, tells what questions to ask nonprofits, and spells out how to help partner with advisors and nonprofit leaders for inspired outcomes.
Generation Impact: How Next Gen Donors Are Revolutionizing Giving (Sharna Goldseker and Michael Moody)
Based on years of research and candid insights from the vanguard of next gen donors, 21/64’s Generation Impact offers a rare profile of the new face of philanthropy.
Raising Charitable Children (Carol Weisman)
In this book, Weisman shares real-life stories collected from allover the world of how parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers, scout leaders, friends, next door neighbors, and her own family have either initiated or supported ways to teach children how to give back to those in need. But she doesn’t stop there. After each of the stories, Weisman offers specific steps to help anyone translate these ideas into action.
The Opposite of Spoiled: Raising Kids Who Are Grounded, Generous, and Smart About Money (Ron Leiber)
Lieber covers all the basics: the best ways to handle the tooth fairy, allowance, chores, charity, savings, birthdays, holidays, cell phones, splurging, clothing, cars, part-time jobs, and college tuition. But he also identifies a set of traits and virtues—like modesty, patience, generosity, and perspective—that parents hope their young adults will carry with them out into the world.
Raising Financially Fit Kids (Joline Godfrey)
Joline Godfrey shares knowledge gleaned from two decades of preparing children and families for financial independence and stewardship, philanthropic effectiveness, and meaningful economic lives
The Book of New Family Traditions: How to Create Great Rituals for Holidays and Every Day (Meg Cox)
Family rituals provide a sense of home and identity that kids and parents both need. From holidays and birthdays to bed times, meal times, pets, and even chores, The Book of New Family Traditions spotlights hundred of ways to bring the fun and ritual back to family life.
How to Raise a Socially Conscious, Anti-Racist Child (NYT Parenting)
How can parents teach why diversity, equity and critical thinking matter? How should privilege be addressed? And how do you use childhood curiosity to develop empathy? Hear the perspective of Amber Coleman-Mortley, director of social engagement for iCivics, a nonprofit focused on improving civics education for children, in this video.
Opportunity of a Lifetime 2.0: Multigenerational Family Philanthropy (NCFP)
This issue brief explores the increasing trend of next-gen engagement and offers recommendations for involving the next-gen and youth in your work.
Igniting the Spark: Creating Effective Next-gen Boards (NCFP)
This Passages Issue Brief introduces an increasingly popular method for preparing the next generation for philanthropic service: the next generation or junior board.
Igniting the Spark: Engaging Next-gen and Youth in Family Philanthropy (NCFP)
This special collection features stories of families who have found successful ways to engage the next generation and youth in family philanthropy, as well as sample policies on next-gen and junior boards, and tips for activities appropriate for sharing the value of family philanthropy with next gen family members.
From Beneficiary to Active Agent: How Youth-Led Grantmaking Benefits Young People, Their Communities, and the Philanthropic Sector (Sillerman Foundation)
Sheryl Seller outlines the valuable perspectives, ideas, and contributions of youth when they’re given the opportunity to actively lead grantmaking efforts.
Youth Grantmaking
Teen Philanthropy Café reader series (Exponent Philanthropy)
This series introduces young people to strategic, thoughtful philanthropy, and inspires them toward giving with impact. Families and adults who work with youth can use these guides to facilitate peer discussions and fun activities around giving.
Family Foundations as Agents of Change (NCFP)
Joann Ricci and Jeff Glebocki explore the power of family foundations to act as changemakers. By tapping into their personal and professional relationships, as well as a deep understanding of local issues, family foundations of all sizes can play a crucial role in efforts to solve complex issues.
Financial Education Tools
Financial literacy is key to being a good steward and it’s never too soon to start educating children about money.
Money Mammals has tips and tools to help parents and teachers raise money-smart kids.
Financial Literacy for Kids (InCharge Debt Solutions)
Offering teacher and student lessons for preschoolers through second graders.
What Am I Inheriting? (21/64)
This exercise enables family members to recall the stories, events, and messages handed down from previous generations to call attention to inherited legacies beyond the financial.
Teaching Kids About Money: An Age-by-Age Guide (Parents.com)
Learn how to talk with your children about financial literacy at any age.
Volunteering Time, Talent, and Treasure
Several national partners have excellent resources and opportunities for youth service and volunteering.
DoSomething.org
DoSomething.org is a youth-led nonprofit for social change. Using a digital platform, DoSomething members join volunteer, social change, and civic action campaigns to make real-world impact on causes they care about.
generationOn
generationOn provides programs, tools, and resources to engage kids and teens in service and volunteering.
Youth Service America
Youth Service America® supports a global culture of engaged children and youth committed to a lifetime of meaningful service, learning, and leadership.
Project Giving Kids
Project Giving Kids develops interactive tools to connect young people to age-appropriate volunteer service activities.
Youth Philanthropy Curricula
Learning to Give: If you’re just getting started, these lessons built for teachers have great ideas and activities.
365 Give: This site offers a variety of great ideas for projects to incorporate giving every day.
Allow Good: This full curriculum and supplemental worksheets here were used with youth and next gen.
Exponent Philanthropy Teen Philanthropy Café Readers: This series introduces young people to strategic, thoughtful philanthropy, and inspires them toward giving with impact. You can use these guides to facilitate peer discussions and fun activities around giving.
Additional Websites
Check out these resource hubs.