Understanding Philanthropy Should Start Early
While not the most “taught” subject in schools or in daily life, the idea or concept of philanthropy for many starts early in life. For me, personally, it started with my parents, watching my mom volunteer with certain organizations in the community and my dad counting money at the church. Although I didn’t know anything about the organizations my mom supported at the time or quite comprehend the commitment my dad made during the business week, there was knowledge, and basic recognition, that they were out helping others. I’m hopeful that my children will say the same about me and my wife someday as well.
Recently, however, there’s been a more formalized attempt to teach the concept we tend to take for granted. My son’s teacher asked if I would come into the classroom and talk to the kids about what I do professionally. It turns out that many of the parents are doing just that—individual “career days.” But the teacher also knows I do something that’s a little more opaque in terms of a nine-year-old’s understanding. I’ve had to come up with unique ways of trying to explain it. Something tactile that they can understand beyond just a definition of a word.
How do you get someone so young to understand the various intricacies of philanthropy? The giving of money, but also the giving of time? And how do you keep a group of eight- and nine-year-olds’ attention for 15 to 20 minutes on something that may not mean a lot for many?
I do know my son is very excited for me to come. I’m hoping he will feel the same way when I’m done—proud and not embarrassed. I’ll give it my best, but I really hope this isn’t the first time many have heard or understood the concept.
