Sarah Ford | September 16, 2013

Words Stronger Than Actions When Teaching Kids About Giving

IUPUI School of Philanthropy Research Talking to children about charitable giving is even more effective than 鈥渞ole-modeling,鈥 or actually giving to charity, according to a new study released by the Women鈥檚 Philanthropy Institute at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. 鈥淩ole-modeling alone does not appear to be as effective as talking to kids about giving.鈥

鈥淲omen Give 2013鈥 found that children whose parents talk to them about giving are 20 percent more likely to give to charity than children whose parents don鈥檛 discuss giving with them. The increased likelihood was found across all demographics, regardless of gender, age, race or family income. The effect of talking is significant even after accounting for other factors that affect giving, including whether the household donated to charity, according to the study.

The study followed the same 903 children, ages 8 to 19, during 2002-03 and 2007-08. More than half of all children gave in both years and a third gave in one year while only about 1 in 8 did not make a contribution in either year. More than half of the children in the study also volunteered at least once during the two time periods but in general, girls are more likely than boys to volunteer 鈥 a pattern that continues into adulthood.

Get Resources and Insights Straight To Your Inbox

Explore More Articles

February is Marfan Awareness Month!

February 3, 2025

Marfan syndrome affects an estimated 1 in 5,000 people regardless of race, ethnicity, or gender, and experts estimate听that nearly half the people who have Marfan…

Read Article

February is Cancer Prevention Month

February 3, 2025

A substantial proportion of cancers could be prevented, including all cancers caused by tobacco use and other unhealthy behaviors. Excluding non-melanoma skin cancer, at least…

Read Article

Celebrating the Agents of Change this Black History Month

February 3, 2025

During Black History Month, which takes place each year during the month of February, there is much to celebrate about the past achievements and impact…

Read Article

Get Resources and Insights Straight To Your Inbox

Receive our monthly/bi-monthly newsletter filled with information about causes, nonprofit impact, and topics important for corporate social responsibility and employee engagement professionals, including disaster response, workplace giving, matching gifts, employee assistance funds, volunteering, scholarship award program management, grantmaking, and other philanthropic initiatives.

newsletter-mock