Modeling generosity and empowering your children to carry it forward can help secure your philanthropic legacy for generations to come.
Head of Trust Philanthropic Services,
Wealth & Investment Management, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Giving your time, talents, and financial resources to causes you care about can enrich both the world around you and your personal sense of purpose. While giving back often comes naturally to those who have achieved financial success, inspiring the next generation to embrace shared philanthropy requires thoughtful planning, engagement, and support from trusted advisors.
Here are some ways to engage your family in philanthropy:
Start at home
Philanthropy begins with values modeled within the family. Children and grandchildren learn compassion and generosity by observing how their parents and grandparents support causes and communities they care about — whether through volunteering, financial contributions, or advocacy.
Consider inviting your family members to join you in hands-on activities like stocking shelves at a local food bank or organizing a beach cleanup — and use these moments to share why giving matters to you. These experiences help demonstrate the importance of generosity and can spark curiosity and conversation, laying the foundation for deeper engagement.
Share your story
A family culture of silence around money can leave loved ones without opportunities to discuss finances and giving. Be open and willing to share how you built your wealth, who supported you, and why giving is important to you. Sharing how you got to where you are today offers meaningful opportunities for your family to understand your values and the experiences that shaped them. These conversations don’t have to be formal — talking over dinner can be enough to open the dialogue.
Align around a shared purpose
Start by identifying causes that resonate with family members, then work together to create a family mission statement. This will help your giving feel more tangible and actionable. Not only does this process help strengthen family bonds, but helps build accountability, enhance financial literacy, and foster a sense of stewardship and gratitude.
Empower everyone in the process
Empowering your family means creating space for every voice to be heard. Encourage open dialogue about individual interests, values, and motivations, and look for ways to incorporate these diverse perspectives into your shared charitable approach. One practical way to help accomplish this goal is to hold regular family meetings. These meetings can serve as a forum for education, collaboration, and shared decision-making — which can help each family member feel valued, included, and invested.
Embrace generational differences
Each generation brings its own unique perspective. Encourage your children and grandchildren to explore their philanthropic interests and support their unique approaches. This freedom helps them build their own identity within the framework of the family’s giving tradition.
Bring your advisors to the table
Engaging your family in philanthropy can be as rewarding as the act of giving itself — but it can also be complex. Consider inviting your family’s trusted advisors to help navigate sensitive topics, manage family dynamics, and keep your goals on track — which will help secure your family’s legacy of giving for generations to come.
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