April 2026
WHERE GIVING MEETS COMMUNITY
Insights on local generosity, nonprofit work, and the needs shaping our region.
By Katie Simpson, Community Giving Foundation
Some of the most meaningful traditions in a family aren’t written down. They’re passed from one generation to the next through everyday moments—stories shared around the dinner table and in the lessons and memories of lived experiences.
Generosity is often one of those traditions.
Across our region, many families are discovering that charitable giving can be more than an individual act. When families talk openly about the causes they care about and involve children and grandchildren in those conversations, giving becomes a shared experience that strengthens relationships while creating lasting impact.
At its heart, generational giving is about values. What do we care about most? What kind of community do we want to help build? When families explore these questions together, philanthropy becomes a meaningful way to express shared beliefs and hopes for the future.
These conversations don’t need to be formal or complicated. Often, they begin with stories. Parents and grandparents can share why they support particular causes or recall experiences that shaped their commitment to helping others. Research shows how influential those examples can be—when generosity is modeled, it is more likely to be carried forward. In other words, generosity grows when it is shared.
Another important step is giving younger family members a voice. While older generations may have long-standing relationships with certain organizations, children and young adults often bring fresh perspectives and new passions.
One simple way to practice these ideas is through everyday financial habits. Consider giving your child a small weekly “salary” tied to chores. That money can be divided into categories—saving, spending, and giving. For example, a child might receive $5 a week, putting away $2 to save, spending $2, and giving $1 to an organization or program they care about. This approach not only teaches financial responsibility, but also helps build early habits of generosity.
Many families find that giving together creates traditions of its own. Some use holiday gatherings as a time to reflect on gratitude and family values. Others celebrate birthdays or milestones by making donations in a loved one’s honor or volunteering together. Even small, consistent practices can shape a lifelong commitment to giving.
For families who want to take their philanthropy a step further, tools such as charitable funds can help structure giving and involve multiple generations in decision-making. For example, a donor advised fund at the Community Giving Foundation allows family members to recommend grants to nonprofits over time while building a lasting charitable legacy.
If your family is interested in building a shared tradition of giving, consider starting with three simple steps.
First, talk about what matters most. Ask family members what issues they care about and what kind of impact they hope to see in the community.
Second, find ways to give or serve together—whether that means volunteering with a local nonprofit, advocating for a cause, or setting aside funds for charitable giving.
Third, consider partnering with the Foundation. Our team works with families to create a giving plan that reflects their passions and charitable goals. Every year, a grant to a nonprofit can be made in your family’s name to carry on your generosity—today, tomorrow, and forever.
When families make generosity part of their shared story, they create something far greater than a single gift. They build a legacy of giving that inspires children, grandchildren, and communities for generations to come.
Because when generosity is shared, its impact lasts far beyond a lifetime.