At the Lenawee Community Foundation, we are honored to work with families across multiple generations. One of the most meaningful conversations we have is about helping children and grandchildren discover the joy of giving. Many parents and grandparents hope to pass along more than financial assets. They want to share their values, inspire generosity, and cultivate a lifelong commitment to community.
In many of these conversations, parents and grandparents ask how they can involve teens. The teenage years are a wonderful time to begin exploring philanthropy together. Teens are old enough to understand community challenges, develop passions of their own, and make thoughtful decisions about how they want to make a difference.
Research supports what many families have experienced firsthand. A landmark study published in the Journal of Adolescence found that altruistic behaviors—such as helping others and serving the community—not only appeal to adolescents, but actively raise their self-esteem and feelings of self-worth.
Even with the best intentions, getting teens involved can sometimes feel challenging. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are ten simple ways to begin.
1. Ask what they care about
Many adults begin by talking about charities they support. Instead, start by asking your teen what matters most to them. They may be passionate about animals, the environment, education, healthcare, mental health, or helping neighbors in need. Listening first creates opportunities for meaningful conversations and deeper community engagement.
2. Volunteer together
Giving involves more than writing checks. Spending even just an hour volunteering as a family can help teens see firsthand how nonprofit organizations strengthen our community and why charitable support matters.
3. Let them help make giving decisions
If your family has a donor-advised fund at the Lenawee Community Foundation, consider inviting your teen to recommend a portion of your annual grants to nonprofit organizations they believe in. Even small decisions can help build confidence and encourage thoughtful conversations about generosity. Some families even choose to establish a donor-advised fund for a child or grandchild when they reach adulthood, using cash or appreciated assets to help launch a lifetime of charitable giving.
Looking for another meaningful way to inspire philanthropy? Encourage your teen to explore the Lenawee YOUTH Council. Through the Council, young leaders learn about community needs, make real grant decisions, and help direct charitable dollars where they can make the greatest impact. Over the past two decades, Lenawee YOUTH Council members have awarded more than $1.1 million in grants and community projects, bringing health, happiness, and hope to their peers and the broader community.
4. Visit local nonprofits
Many nonprofit organizations welcome visitors and offer tours or informational meetings. Seeing an organization’s work firsthand often leaves a lasting impression. Even a short visit can spark meaningful conversations. Our team is always happy to suggest organizations and help make introductions.
5. Encourage curiosity
Invite your teen to research a cause they care about and learn about organizations working to address it. This helps develop critical thinking while introducing concepts like nonprofit missions, effectiveness, and community impact. If you’re looking for ideas, we’re always happy to recommend resources. The Lenawee YOUTH Council is a program of the Lenawee Community Foundation where students gain leadership experience, meet new people, and see firsthand how their ideas can create lasting change—right here at home.
6. Share your family’s story
Charitable giving often reflects deeply held values. Sharing stories about why your family supports certain causes can help teens understand that philanthropy is about more than financial gifts, it’s about creating positive change. Those personal stories often become lasting family traditions.
7. Help them give their own money
Whether it is a portion of an allowance, earnings from a summer job, or birthday money, encouraging teens to make their own charitable gifts can be a powerful learning experience. It always feels more “real” to spend your own money, and charitable giving is no exception. When young people choose to give, they begin to see themselves as part of something bigger.
8. Introduce teens to community leaders
Think of all the people you know who are making a difference every day—whether they work for a nonprofit, volunteer, serve on a board, or lead community initiatives. Meeting people who are improving Lenawee County can inspire teens to imagine how they might make an impact, too.
9. Include them in Lenawee Community Foundation events
Many Lenawee Community Foundation events offer opportunities to learn about community needs, celebrate local impact, and connect with others who care about Lenawee County. For teens who want to become even more involved, the Lenawee YOUTH Council offers hands-on opportunities to build leadership skills, participate in grantmaking, and make a difference alongside their peers. Ask us about upcoming events and programs that may be a great fit.
10. Focus on progress, not perfection
There is no single right way to nurture generosity. The goal isn’t to create a philanthropist overnight. Instead, create opportunities for curiosity, learning, and participation. Small moments today can become lifelong habits of generosity tomorrow.
One of the greatest gifts we can give the next generation is the confidence to make a difference. At the Lenawee Community Foundation, we’re honored to help families build a legacy of generosity that strengthens Lenawee County, now and for future generations.
Is there a teen in your life who wants to make a difference?
The Lenawee YOUTH Council empowers young people ages 12–21 to build leadership skills, learn about community needs, and help shape the future of Lenawee County through service and philanthropy.Explore the Lenawee YOUTH Council