Family philanthropy: Share your passions with loved ones

Family philanthropy is as unique as you are. Just ask the children of Thrivent Charitable® donor Carlyn who established a fund devoted to leprosy education.

While in the Peace Corps in the 1960s, Carlyn volunteered at a leprosy colony in Brazil. The experience changed her life forever. “When our mother learned that leprosy is still here like it was in Jesus’ time, it became her mission to do what she could,” recalls her daughter, Gail. “We are so proud of Mom.”

It’s common to think Hansen’s disease, as leprosy is now called, no longer exists. Unfortunately, it’s still active in many parts of the world. While the disease is rarely contagious and can be cured with antibiotics, the afflicted are shunned and descendants without the disease are ostracized.

After the Peace Corps, Carlyn married Ronald and together they raised three children (Susan, Gail, and Eric) and instilled in them the value of helping those in need.

The now-adult-children never forgot their mother’s stories. Several years ago, they traveled together to Nepal and India to learn more about leprosy. “We ate and drank with the lepers cast out of society,” Gail said. “Mom wondered if she had enough money to end leprosy and established a donor-advised fund (DAF) to do her part.”

Though Carlyn died in 2025, the fund will continue in perpetuity to support scientific research and education about the disease. It also provides scholarships at a school in India for children who could not attend traditional schools due to stigma associated with the disease.

Carlyn’s love of people less fortunate motivated her family to get involved. Gail’s early memories growing up include volunteering with her siblings at Vacation Bible School and the local food kitchen. They hosted missionaries in their home and were purposeful about experiencing different cultures and traditions.

They talked often about giving back. “Mom taught us about tithing by having us set aside money we earned,” Gail recalls. “My babysitting money went to our church and my savings account.”

Now as adults, the siblings watched their mother establish three DAFs, one for leprosy education and another for college scholarships. The third fund supports causes her family cherishes. The kids chose which organizations will continue to receive grants long into the future.

“Mom could have just given money to some charities, but she wanted to include us,” Gail said. “I am who I am for the example she set.”

Carlyn’s approach to giving had the hallmarks of long-lasting philanthropy. Studies show the seeds of family philanthropy are planted from a very young age.¹ Children of families with strong giving traditions are more likely to give and volunteer as adults. Fostering traditions such as family volunteering and conversations about generosity make an impact.

Philanthropy Tip: As you consider sharing your passion for philanthropy, talk about your hopes and dreams with your family. Share memories with a lasting impact on your life. The key is having intentional, consistent conversations and welcome collaboration. Sharing your passions can inspire your children and grandchildren to uncover their own. The more you make it a priority, the easier it will become.

Like Carlyn, perhaps you are looking for ways to instill a habit of generosity with those you love. The first step for many families is to establish a DAF from which to make gifts while taking advantage of potential tax benefits. Here are five simple ways donors are using their DAFs to engage their families in giving.

1. Incorporate with holiday traditions. What holiday traditions do you have? One family of Thrivent Charitable donors invites their grandchildren to research charities and share what they have learned when gathered over the holidays. Then the grandparents make grants from their Thrivent Charitable fund to the organizations in honor of the grandchildren.

2. Match a child's donation with a grant. Maybe a child in your life has shown interest in a charity or cause. Encourage them to donate some of their allowance or gift money. Multiply their gift by matching it with a grant from your fund.

3. Grant to a favorite charity in lieu of a present. Model the importance of generosity by giving a child the opportunity to direct a grant to a charity of their choice as part of a birthday present — or other milestone occasion.

4. Decide on grants as a family. How do you decide where to give? Some donors make family giving an annual event, by selecting a time of year or special occasion to come together and jointly decide on the nonprofits they’ll grant to from their DAF. It can be incredibly meaningful to reflect on shared values and ignite passions for giving.

5. Establish donor-advised funds for children or grandchildren. You may want to expand generosity goals beyond your own charitable fund. Consider establishing DAFs for your children or grandchildren. As advisors to their own funds, they can make grants to charities of their choice. The funds have potential to grow with time based on market performance, and making grants online is easy.

No matter how you’d like to engage your family in giving, know we’re here to support you. To speak with a member of our donor services team, connect with us at thriventcharitable@thrivent.com or 800-365-4172.