by Helen Deffenbacher     Many kids may not know the word 'philanthropy', but most would know that it is good to give to the less fortunate. This applies to people, and also to the environment around us, and kids can learn that even small and simple acts can make a difference. In large and small ways people of all ages in every part of the world are engaged in green philanthropy.

Five things kids can learn by engaging in random acts of green philanthropy are:

1. Respect for the Earth and all life on it.

Research shows that direct experience with nature while growing up is the one factor people most often credit for having had the greatest influence on their attitude toward the environment and conservation. Many of the projects and gifts in our book provide kids (and their parents and grandparents) opportunities for direct experience with nature. A desired goal for all 160 random acts of kindness included in the book is to nurture respect and care for all life on Earth.

2.  Green philanthropy doesn’t have to be complicated or difficult.

Kids as young as three can be involved in many of the projects, gifts, and actions in our book. You and your family can choose to start in your own home or in your own back yard. For example, you can:

• Set aside several rows in your garden for a local food bank.
• Have a family Reduce, Reuse & Recycle Scavenger Hunt and donate your extra stuff to organizations listed in our book.
• Give one or more native plants to a new Habitat for Humanity homeowner in your community as a housewarming gift.
• Make green philanthropy wish lists for birthdays and holidays.
• Begin creating a wildlife habitat in your backyard with the eventual goal of getting it certified.
• Collect loose change in a Green Philanthropy Bank for a local green organization. Recycle an empty jar; make your own label for it or print one of ours at our website: www.greenphilanthropyforfamilies.org

3.  “Small” acts of green philanthropy matter.

Each gift, project, or action creates a better community or a better world for all. In our book we wrote that:

“A single random act of green philanthropy may not seem significant alone, but when it’s multiplied tens of thousands or a million times over it brings big results, saving: small farms, urban habitats, parks and refuges, organic foods, community gardens, native and heirloom seeds, wild places, wildlife, the ancient mountains of Appalachia, forests and rainforests, river, lakes, and streams and more.”

4. Green philanthropy doesn’t require a lot of money.

All but two of the gifts and projects in our book require only a small amount of money or, for a number of them, none at all. Signing up for a crop share from a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm may seem expensive at first, but it only amounts to about $15 to $20 a week over the growing season. In some states the fee for the Master Naturalist Program (US) may be expensive, but, again, over the course of the program the weekly cost is not great. All the other projects, gifts, and actions in our book that require money can be funded by collecting loose change in a Green Philanthropy Bank.

5. Some “small” acts of green philanthropy, especially when multiplied by others all around the world, can help solve big problems like poverty and hunger.

Examples of green philanthropy ideas in our book that help accomplish this goal include:

• Donate fruit trees to individuals and families in developing countries.
• Provide seeds to people who can’t afford to buy them.
• Give a starter flock of chicks, ducks, or geese or a “share” of another farm animal to a family in a developing country.
• Provide a micro agricultural loan to an individual, family, or group that will enable them to support themselves and to benefit their local communities.

When we discover that half the world’s population live on less than $2.50 a day and at least 80% subsist on less than $10 a day, we become aware of the significance of our “small” acts of green philanthropy. For more information on “Poverty Facts and Stats,” compiled by Anup Shaw, visit: www.globalissues.org

About the Author:

Helen Deffenbacher is co-author with her grandkids Justin and Alexis of the book, Green Philanthropy For Families: 160 Simple Earth Honoring Gifts, Actions, Activities and Projects. It’s based on the interactive website: www.greenphilanthropyforfamilies.org. You can share a green philanthropy idea for their next book at this website.

To order Green Philanthropy for Families, click here.

To download a free e-book, click here.

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