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Planting Seeds of Generosity: Engaging Your Kids in Giving This Summer

I didn’t grow up in Fayette County, but from the moment I stepped into this community and my role at the Fayette Community Foundation, I could feel something special—neighbors looking out for each other, small gestures of kindness passed along like family recipes. That spirit of generosity is one of the things I’ve come to love most about this place.

As summer kicks off, many families are looking for ways to keep their kids active, learning, and off their screens. It’s also a great time to introduce them to something that doesn’t always get a spot on the summer checklist: giving back.

At the Fayette Community Foundation, we believe that philanthropy starts small—with the heart. And when kids see generosity in action, they carry those values with them into adulthood. Giving doesn’t have to be complicated or costly. In fact, summer is full of simple ways to show our children how to care for their community.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

1. Volunteer Together
   Whether it’s helping at a food pantry, picking up litter on a walk, or baking cookies for a neighbor, volunteering as a family shows kids that their time and effort matter. These little acts can spark big conversations about what our community needs—and how we can all be part of the solution. Remember: big concepts can feel intimidating to kids. By showing them that they made a difference already (like cleaning sticks off of a sidewalk so mobility-limited neighbors have a safe path to walk), kids can see where they fit into the puzzle.
2. Create a “Family Giving Jar”
   Have your kids toss in spare change or a portion of their allowance over the summer. At the end of the season, decide together how to use the funds. Maybe it goes toward school supplies for another child, or maybe you donate it to a cause that’s close to your hearts. The key is letting your kids be part of the decision-making. If you want to get really fancy, offer to do a “parent match” where you agree to match each dollar so their impact grows!
3. Host a Lemonade Stand for a Cause
   Old-fashioned? Maybe. Still effective? Absolutely. Let your kids run a lemonade stand and donate the proceeds to a local organization that helps children or has a focus on your kids’ current special interests. It’s a fun way to teach financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and empathy all in one afternoon.
4. Visit Places That Philanthropy Built
   Take a “giving tour” around town—visit the library, a park, the community center, and some of our incredible nonprofit organizations. These places often exist because of local donations and volunteers. Tell your kids about the people behind the scenes who helped make them happen. When they understand the “why” behind a space, they’re more likely to care about the “how” that keeps it going. You can explain that initially all it takes is someone who cares deeply. 
5. Talk About Creating a Donor-Advised Fund as a Family Legacy Project
   Okay, this one might sound a bit grown-up, but stay with me. A donor-advised fund is a tool that allows families to give to the causes they care about over time. It can even be started in honor of a milestone like a retirement or graduation – or maybe to celebrate all the generations of the family. More families in rural communities are using these funds to teach the next generation about long-term impact. And yes, we can help you start one right here at the Foundation. This is something you children can contribute to over time as we help protect and grow these funds to essentially support the community forever. Talk about a big impact!

One of the things I love most about working at a community foundation is seeing the way everyday people quietly shape the future. You don’t have to be a millionaire or a CEO to make a difference – you just have to care. And our children are always watching. The more they see generosity in action, the more they understand it’s part of who we are in Fayette County, not just something we do.

So this summer, in between trips to the pool and backyard cookouts, I hope you’ll find a few moments to show your kids what it means to be part of something bigger. Giving might just become your family’s favorite summer tradition.