Like the birds and the bees and the 123s, philanthropy should be taught early and often.

By Katherine Falk , Janet R. Wakefield and Nancy Swanson

Too often when we picture young people fundraising, we think of raffle tickets, bake sales and pancake breakfasts — activities that are adult-driven but require young people to serve as the “sales force.” Children are given the task of raising money but seldom are empowered to participate in deciding how those funds will be used.