Charitable giving is important to my family at home as well as my work family. At Celebree School, our commitment to nurturing children and their families runs deep. It extends beyond the walls of our classrooms and into each of the communities we serve. Various fundraisers held at our schools throughout the year benefit organizations within the towns where we operate. Supporting local non-profits and other groups that help the greater good is a year-round effort for our staff and students.
What I love most about these efforts is that they provide an opportunity to teach our students empathy and the importance of helping those less fortunate than they are. Giving back is part of growing people big and small.
Did you know that an estimated 30 percent of annual giving takes place during December? If you’re looking to rev up your charitable giving this year but are unsure of where to start, below are three tips that help guide our fundraising efforts at Celebree School.
Family Affair
My number one recommendation is getting the whole family involved – from your spouse and children to the people you work with if donating from your company. Consider everyone’s interests, highlight the non-profits best encompassing these, and together decide on which organization is the best fit. It’s also worth noting that while gifts-in-kind such as blankets or food to a shelter are always needed, monetary gifts go much further.
Give Children a Voice
My children are now at ages where we let them decide on the organization that we as a family want to support. This helps them understand how to make decisions, the value of collaboration and instills the value of philanthropy from a young age. At Celebree Schools, our teachers and school directors will often work with students to decide what non-profit they will help support. Encouraging our students to recognize how they can help others is a priceless life lesson.
Make it Personal
Whatever organization you choose to support, I encourage you to become personally involved. Make the charitable donation and then learn how you can further your impact by volunteering or joining the board. Being directly involved will give you deeper insight into how your donation affects the non-profit’s mission.
