So Easy a Child Can Do It

The Washington Post reported on a recent study that shows that children are becoming philanthropists before they even get jobs. This article shares some incredible stories about a little girl who had a children's hospital fund raiser for her birthday party and the collective giving of the kids at Club Penguin. I am proud of our country's youth, but at the same time I am skeptical of this study. What are the criteria for labeling a child a philanthropist? How much do they have to donate? Why is it philanthropy when they are raising money for the World Wildlife Fund, but not when they are selling candles and wrapping paper to raise money for their own schools? How much adult involvement is allowed? This is great news, and it is something to be optimistic about for the future, but I would hate for it to belittle the value of supporting your local 4-H as well.

The article claims that this growth in global caring among kids is because of the internet and social networking. Kids today can actually talk to kids in Darfur and that gives them a sense of connection. That connection translates into responsibility as well as ability to help. I think this is partially true, but children had these opportunities yesterday too. What I immediately thought of when I read this was a news story I saw over the holiday. It was a more skeptical version of this MSNBC story that was questioning the authenticity of retail giving. The reporter told the story of a major store that published in it's holiday catalog that they would be giving x% of sales to a charity. Unfortunately the nonprofit that was included in their catalog had no idea that they were going to be receiving a donation. Good or bad, honest or not, I would give retailers at least some of the credit for the surge in children's awareness. Programs like the Livestrong bands and Product RED have integrated charity into our lives in ways that it has never been before. Not only is it accessible and overwhelming, it is cool. I wonder if this is going to create a generation of fad givers, and how that will change the way nonprofits ask for help. This year RED has made fighting AIDS in Africa cool and they will hopefully raise awareness and money. Unfortunately, the problems that surround AIDS in Africa will not be solved in a year, and if WWF and Bengal tigers are the fad charity next year, will RED find itself shorthanded?