Did your kids get holiday money this year?  They probably have big plans for what to buy — as they should!  It is exciting to have cash to spend!  At the same time, you could use this as an opportunity to teach your kids about spending some and donating some.

One way to do this is through Youth Give.  Youth Give was created to help  children, youth, and families easily donate to charities they care about in a safe and secure way.  Youth Give helps families create “Giving Accounts”  to help make philanthropy an ongoing part of their lives.  A Giving Account is a personal philanthropic account used to make donations to individual charities. It’s like having your own personal foundation.   It can be opened for a newborn, a toddler, teen, or college student.  You or anyone you invite can add money to the account which is held for future giving.  The account owners can donate online to a cause of their choosing from a menu of vetted organizations.

Kids can contribute as little as one dollar to get it started.  And, every penny goes to the selected charity.  And Youth Give’s list of nonprofit recipients is expanding nationally and globally.

So, consider making a Giving Account part of this year’s holiday tradition. It’s a great way to help your kids set their own course as budding philanthropists.

© YesKidzCan!, 2011