Involve Children and Teens in Your Foundation

Our thanks to Ingrid Fox, advisor to the junior board of the Frieda C. Fox Family Foundation, for compiling the ideas below. Ingrid has attended family foundation meetings since they began and joined the foundation’s board in 2005 at age 19. In 2006, she assumed the role of advisor to the junior board. This summer, Ingrid will join the faculty of our Multi-Generational Family Retreat.

Invite Them to Board Meetings

Make younger family members feel like part of the group by inviting them to see how the foundation works. Keep in mind that board meetings can be tedious for some kids, especially younger ones. They don’t necessarily have to sit through every minute of every meeting, but make them feel like they are a welcome part of the process. Let them get a sense of what philanthropy means to your family.

Take Them on Site Visits

Many kids are excited to see the tangible results of their family’s philanthropy. This is often their favorite part! Site visits make philanthropy real and can pique their interest around involvement in the foundation.

Make It Official

Have your board discuss and draft a junior board policy with goals, procedures, eligibility, and members’ rights and responsibilities. Have regular meetings of the junior board facilitated by an adult but run by the members. (It can help to have an active adult member of the foundation serve as an advisor to the junior board.) This will familiarize the kids with the philanthropic process, groom them for future “big board” service, and show them just how important their involvement is to the board.

Keep in Touch

In-person meetings are ideal, but if you can’t meet in person, use the phone or Internet to connect the kids in your family. (If you aren’t sure where to start, ask them!) Also be sure to check periodically on how things are going. Do they have any questions? Are they having fun?

Keep It Simple

The kids in your family will surprise you with their ability to grasp concepts, but it’s equally important that the process be accessible. Be sure to consider your foundation’s circumstances and the ages of the kids involved.

Allow Them to Make It Their Own

Give the kids a sense of ownership. Guide them through the process of participating rather than tell them exactly what to do. This will make them feel empowered, confident, and capable, and give them valuable skills they’ll use as adult philanthropists.

Make It Relatable

No matter your foundation’s focus, there are always ways for younger family members to make a personal connection to grantmaking—the most effective way to keep anyone involved! Ask the kids what issues interest them.

Make It Fun

To maintain high involvement, keep it fun! If there are lots of kids in your family, encourage them to work together, collaborate, and share ideas. Have meetings at fun places like ice cream shops, or follow meetings with family outings to museums or parks.