Youth Philanthropy
A new offering for fundholders and their families
Supporting the philanthropic goals and impact of our fundholders is our core focus. Your philanthropy makes an impact on the causes you care about. We are excited to announce a service offering that will make it easier to include the people you care more about in the process. Through a partnership with Seeds of Caring, we will be providing resources and hands-on opportunities to engage the children and grandchildren in your life in the joy of giving back.
Youth Philanthropy Corner
Click the topics below to learn more.
Did you know the Greek playwright Aeschylus coined the term philanthropy in the 5th century BC? It meant “love of humanity.” While today many people think of philanthropy as checks written at year’s end, endowed foundations, or large-scale giving campaigns, at its heart philanthropy simply means a love of humanity—about actively caring for others and working to make the world a better place. And that’s something anyone, even a child, can practice.
In fact, redefining philanthropy for the next generation may be one of the most powerful legacies we leave behind.
As a parent, grandparent, or respected community member, you play a pivotal role in shaping a child’s worldview. You help them build empathy, recognize injustice, and develop the courage to stand up for others. But what if you could also help them see themselves—right now, at 4 or 7 or 12 years old—as changemakers?
At Seeds of Caring, we work every day to show young people that they don’t have to wait until adulthood to make a difference. In fact, the sooner they start to see themselves as helpers, advocates, and doers, the more deeply they begin to understand their place in the world—and their responsibility to care for others in it.
Here are four simple ways you can help the young people in your life step into this role:
1. Encourage them to share their time through volunteering or small acts of kindness.
Philanthropy starts with presence and caring. Whether it’s making care kits for unhoused neighbors, picking up trash at a local park, or baking cookies for a friend who’s feeling down, kids begin to internalize their power to make a positive difference when they serve and share kindness with their community. At Seeds of Caring, we offer dozens of age-appropriate service opportunities throughout the year in Central Indiana and beyond. Our programs are designed for kids ages 2–12 and always include reflection tools to help young minds understand the why behind their work.
2. Help them use their voice as a force for good.
Kids are naturally curious, empathetic, and honest—traits that, when nurtured, make for strong advocates. Encourage your child or grandchild to speak up for what’s right, whether that’s defending a classmate, asking questions about homelessness, or writing letters to elected officials. You can model this by talking openly about causes you care about and showing them how your voice (and theirs!) can drive change.
3. Introduce giving as part of everyday spending habits.
Giving to causes you care about doesn’t have to wait until adulthood. You could introduce the concept of dividing allowance into “spend,” “save,” and “give” categories. Or support kids’ ideas for simple fundraising efforts like lemonade stands or birthday fundraisers. Every year I gift my own kids a donation amount for a local nonprofit and they get to decide where they want the dollars to go. When kids connect the dots between intentional giving and real-world impact, they begin to see generosity as deeply fulfilling.
4. Teach them about other youth changemakers—and share your own story.
Kids need role models, and they’re often most inspired by those closest to them. Tell them why you support the causes you do, how you give back, and how philanthropy has shaped your life.
Pair your stories with examples of other young changemakers. A good place to start is Kids Are Philanthropists, Too!—a podcast from The Giving Square that features kids ages 9-15 as the hosts talking about social issues, empathy, and more. It’s a great way to spark meaningful conversations on car rides, during dinner, or before bed.
And of course, there’s no shortage of inspiring kids right here in Central Indiana. Here are a few who’ve made a difference through Seeds of Caring:
Mia, Alston, and John decided to run a lemonade stand in their neighborhood last August. But this wasn’t just any lemonade stand—the trio told every passerby that their profits would go to help their community. In just two hours, they raised $93! When they attended Seeds of Caring’s Diaper Bank Event on May 31, they used those funds to purchase diapers for families who are working hard but don’t have all the resources they need to buy diapers for their children. Mia, Alston, and John saw that when their efforts combined with other kids in the community, in total they helped supply enough diapers for 72 families—proof that small hands can make a big difference.
Imoen “Moe,” a fifth grader in Indianapolis, has been participating in Seeds of Caring since we first launched in Indy two years ago. So when she had the opportunity to pick a topic for her Exhibition project at the IPS Center for Inquiry, Moe chose to address homelessness. “I have always felt like it is very unfair that some people don’t get their basic needs met,” she said. “Sometimes our community forgets that they are people and people need help.” Motivated by her family’s routine of stocking local little free food boxes, Moe raised an incredible $680. She used it to assemble and donate 103 hearty snack bags to Horizon House. In the process, Moe researched the root causes of homelessness, the impact of COVID-19 on unhoused neighbors, and shared this powerful takeaway: “Anyone can be part of the solution. Even kids.”
It’s easy to underestimate the capacity of children to lead change, but we can choose something different. We can choose to raise a generation of givers.
Let’s show our young people that philanthropy at its core is a love of humanity— actively caring for others and working to make the world a better place.
And let’s remind them, as Moe so beautifully said, that anyone can be part of the solution. Even kids.
By Brandy Jemczura, Founder and Executive Director of Seeds of Caring
Books can be a powerful inspiration for youth philanthropy and at Seeds of Caring, we frequently use children’s literature as a tool in growing the next generation of changemakers. A good story can shape worldviews, build empathy, and help kids understand their place in the broader community. And, as kids soak in the stories and books around them, this opens their eyes to challenges in our world—and ignites a desire to help. Here’s why:
1. Children’s Literature Builds Empathy
Writer Malorie Blackman once said “Reading is an exercise in empathy; an exercise in walking in someone else’s shoes for a while.” Whether it’s a character experiencing homelessness, discrimination, or food insecurity, books provide kids glimpses into situations they may not encounter in their daily lives.
Books like Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts, where a boy learns the value of generosity after longing for a pair of trendy shoes his family can’t afford, or Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña, which beautifully interweaves themes of community-building, intergenerational relationships, and helping one another, are perfect examples. These books invite kids to see life from another perspective, and empathy grows.
2. Stories Open the Door for Tough Conversations
At Seeds of Caring, we hear time and time again that one of the ways we support families is by providing language and modeling to grown-ups for how to talk with kids about complex or sensitive topics—racism, immigration, or youth mental health to name a few. Books are another resource to support families in tackling tough topics, offering age-appropriate language and context while giving kids a safe space to ask questions.
Take one of my personal favorite picture books, Saturday at the Food Pantry by Diane O’Neill, which tells the story of a little girl and her mom visiting a food pantry for the first time. What I love about this book is it reinforces a message we share all the time at Seeds of Caring—that we all need help sometimes and that we can all give help sometimes. The author utilized food pantries herself as a child and wanted to normalize food insecurity. This book is one of many that will spark valuable family conversations about kindness, dignity, and the importance of community support.
3. Books Challenge Misconceptions
Children’s literature often explains a complex issue in simple ways that can help push back against stereotypes or misinformation. For example, Something Happened in Our Town by Marianne Celano and My Name is Not Refugee by Kate Milner explore racial injustice and the refugee experience. Through honest but kid-friendly storytelling, books like these can correct misunderstandings and plant seeds of critical thinking.
4. Children’s Literature Helps Kids Discover What They Care About
Kids may not remember everything we tell them, but books have a special way of helping kids feel—and that goes a long way in igniting passion in our young people. As kids are introduced to a variety of community challenges through books, they’ll begin to discover what stands out to them. One child may feel most connected to environmental care, another to hunger, another to supporting people facing long-term illness. Stories help kids not only identify what they care about, but also get ideas for how they can help.And once you see that passion in your kids—you’ll know. We have parents and caregivers at Seeds of Caring that tell us their kids nag about when they can return to another Seeds of Caring volunteer program. Once you see this passion, you’ll naturally move the conversation to “What can we do about it?” and you’ll see that kids are unstoppable forces for good.
Ready for a Summer Reading Challenge?
This summer, grab the kids in your life and head to your local library. Stock up on books that educate and inspire. Throw a family book party in the living room, complete with snacks and blankets. Or for teens, offer to buy them a drink at the local coffee shop and spend an hour reading side by side.
Need help finding great reads? This is one of our favorite book lists. You can sort it by social issue and by age. While most of the main characters are girls, all kids will relate to the challenges and triumphs characters experience in these stories.
In closing, thank you for caring—about the young people in your life, about our community, and about empowering kids to create a kinder, more connected community. If you have kids in your life between the ages of 2-12, don’t forget to sign up for a Seeds of Caring program here—we just might delve into some of these great stories together before putting those helping hands to work!
By Brandy Jemczura, Founder & Executive Director, Seeds of Caring
April is National Volunteer Month, making it the perfect time for families to consider how they can give back together. In a previous article, we explored the many ways volunteering and philanthropy benefit kids—helping them develop empathy, grow leadership skills, and cultivate a lifelong commitment to their communities. But how do parents and grandparents raise young philanthropists who grow up understanding how to use their time, talents, and treasure for good? Today let’s delve deeper into the “time” component—finding the right opportunities for kids to volunteer and drive forward positive change in our communities.
Why Family Volunteering Matters
One of the best ways to help children see the world beyond themselves and understand their impact is by volunteering as a family. Why? Because kids learn by doing. Volunteering provides opportunities to put our values into action. What’s more, research shows that kids who volunteer with their families are 40% more likely to continue volunteering as adults.
Steps to Make Family Volunteering a Habit
Making family volunteering a regular practice starts with a few simple steps:
- Identify Your Family’s Interests and Values
Talk as a family about what matters most to you. Do you care about protecting the environment, fighting against injustice in your community, addressing food insecurity, supporting kids who are hospitalized, or something else? Finding a cause that resonates with everyone makes volunteering more meaningful and fun. - Schedule Your First Family Volunteer Activity
The key to building a habit is getting started! Find one intentional time to volunteer together. More below on how to identify the right opportunity but getting the first one on your calendar makes it a priority. - Reflect on the Experience
After volunteering, take time to talk about the experience. Ask your kids or grandkids what they did, how it made them feel, and what they learned. Remind them that we all need help sometimes and we can all give help sometimes. Reflection strengthens the impact of service, builds kids’ empathy muscles, and helps them internalize the learning. - Make Volunteering Part of Your Family Culture
Just like family movie nights or holiday traditions, service can become a meaningful family tradition. One way to solidify this is by creating a Family Volunteer Pledge. Decide together how often you’d like to volunteer—monthly, quarterly, or on special occasions like birthdays or school breaks. Create and decorate your pledge and post it somewhere visible, like the fridge, so you can revisit it regularly.
Finding the Right Volunteer Opportunities
One of the biggest challenges families face is finding volunteer opportunities that welcome children. Most traditional opportunities are designed for adults, but we’ve got you covered with volunteer opportunities that are perfect for kids!
If you live in Central Indiana, Seeds of Caring offers a variety of hands-on service experiences designed specifically for kids ages 2-12. Our programs help children connect with meaningful causes, from fighting food insecurity to caring for unhoused neighbors, and much more. Here are two ways you can get the kids in your life volunteering right away with Seeds of Caring:
- Sign up for an In Person Event that takes place on site with one of our local nonprofit partners. Seeds of Caring staff lead participants through meaningful education to help kids understand the “why” behind their actions, then kids and families get to work stocking food shelves, cleaning up local parks, bundling diaper packs, and much more.
- Sign up for an Anywhere Project and complete your volunteer activity from home or with your child’s classroom, scout troop, or any group of kids. Upon registration we’ll email you a service packet that helps you talk with your child(ren) about a specific community need and how they will take action to help local nonprofits by packing sack lunches, assembling personal care kits for unhoused neighbors, collecting gently used children’s books, and much more.
For those outside of Central Indiana, there are not many organizations similar to Seeds of Caring but here are a couple resources to help you find family-friendly opportunities:
- VolunteerMatch allows you to filter by kids and teens
- United Way. Many will connect community members with volunteer opportunities and you can ask about ones that are family-friendly
By making volunteering a shared family tradition, we can grow a generation that doesn’t just wish for a better world—they help create it. This National Volunteer Month, why not take the first step toward making service part of your family’s story?
Family Day of Service Recap
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Family Day of Service! It was a powerful way to introduce young people to the joy of giving back while supporting our neighbors experiencing homelessness. Check out a few moments from the day below.
More Information about Seeds of Caring
Did you know that children as young as age two can benefit from practicing kindness, empathy, and generosity? And that it can lead to everything from greater physical and emotional health, to increased civic engagement, to improved academic performance? Studies suggest that children who participate in giving activities develop stronger problem-solving skills, a deeper sense of gratitude, and greater emotional intelligence (Making Caring Common, Harvard Graduate School of Education, 2021). Simply put – giving is good for kids.
But beyond the positive effects on children themselves, early engagement in philanthropy contributes to stronger communities when generous, community-minded kids grow into generous, community-minded adults. One study by the Women’s Philanthropy Institute found that children whose parents regularly talk to them about giving were 20% more likely to give to charity themselves (2018). Additional research suggests that if children are involved in charitable actions before the age of 10, they are twice as likely to sustain it throughout their lifetime compared to young people who only start in their high school years (Arthur et al., 2017). The younger kids are when they start to engage in philanthropy and service, the more likely they are to see themselves as changemakers and develop confidence that they have the power to make a difference—no matter their age or resources.
We are partnering with Seeds of Caring in 2025 to provide fundholder families with meaningful ways to involve their children in philanthropy. Seeds of Caring is a nonprofit that empowers kids ages 2-12 to create a kinder community, curating over 10,000 child volunteer experiences in Central Indiana last year. Through this partnership, you can expect:
- A bi-monthly “Youth Philanthropy Corner” e-newsletter feature
- A hands-on Youth Philanthropy Giving Guide
- A Family Day of Service focused on homelessness, and ongoing service opportunities for kids and families
These resources will help parents, grandparents, and other caregivers facilitate meaningful conversations about giving and inspire kids to take action.
A world-renowned educator, Dr. Jane Goodall, once said: “You aren’t going to save the world on your own. But you might inspire a generation of kids to save it for all of us. You would be amazed at what inspired children can do.” Stay tuned for more insights, resources, and opportunities in our Youth Philanthropy Corner! And in the meantime, head over to seedsofcaring.org to learn more about their hands-on service opportunities for Central Indiana kids.