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Philanthropy can be a reliable, engaging, and effective way to keep a family together. It worked well for Henderson Estate Company (predecessor of the Foundation for Family Unity). Sheraton HotelsSince 1890 and Perdue Farms for the Perdue Family, since the 1920s.
In my lifetime of experience as a member of both families, I’ve seen firsthand how charitable giving not only benefits the people in need, but the family members and people who partake in the giving as well.
ThisGiving TuesdayEngaging in philanthropy together as a family creates a common purpose and strengthens the bonds between generations. It strengthens a family’s legacy and codes of ethics, especially when younger generations become more aware of their own values and are able to make decisions.
My late husband, Frank Perdue, used to say, “If you want to be happy, think what you can do for someone else. However, if you really desire to be happy, then think of what you can do for someone. miserableConsider what is owed to your family.
Philanthropy helps families feel that they’re part of something bigger than themselves and it lets them know that they’re giving back, not just taking.
It’s a beautiful antidote to selfishness.
For any household, there is one approach that will work: Set aside money for gifts. It doesn’t matter if your family has thousands of dollars to give charity, or a few hundred dollars. It doesn’t matter how much your family is able to spend resources on charity, it matters that you have a shared approach that brings people together.
Once you’ve set the budget, it’s time to decide, as a family, how to spend it — all while keeping in mind that the goal is helping others. This is a great way for younger generations to be involved in giving back.
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Find a charity your family cares about, whether it’s homelessness, health care, education, veterans’ issues, or Ukraine needs humanitarian assistance. Whatever the cause, it’s important to work together to choose something with which your family has an emotional connection. You can make this choice to highlight the importance of your family’s contribution to making the world better.
Philanthropy helps families feel that they’re part of something bigger than themselves and it lets them know that they’re giving back, not just taking.
My husband was a committed philanthropist who lived a long and dedicated life. He often observed that people spend their lives looking for meaningful causes to get involved in. It is easy to help a cause — it will give meaning to our lives.
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“We live not by things, but by the meaning of things,” he wrote in one of our annual family newsletters, quoting French writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Family newslettersHe was also committed to strengthening family ties through open communication between relatives far and near.
Philanthropy can act as a connective tissueThis Giving Tuesday is the perfect opportunity to start.
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