Here’s a great idea: teach children and teens how to give intelligently, and they will continue to be philanthropic throughout their lives. Javier Espinoza wrote this article in the Wall Street Journal last year about programs in the UK and US that are doing just that. Programs like Philanthropy in Schools and Youth and Philanthropy are teaching children how to be “intelligent givers” – looking at charities to be sure that they are spending donations wisely, and giving to charities that they find are doing good work that is needed in the community.
Hopefully these programs will help philanthropic children become philanthropic adults.