Every cent that your child keeps aside for sharing is important! Charity is love. It is important that your child’s love is received by people, cause and animals that he wants to help. Teach him how.

Investigate!

The What - Support a purpose

Help your child choose a cause he believes in helping. Find out the purpose of the charity. (eg. finding a cure for a disease, helping the poor, caring for the old and sick, caring for the abandoned animals, etc)

The Who - Know who you are donating to!
Find out the exact name of the charity organization. Some names are similar and can be confusing. It is a good practice to collect the money your child has kept aside for charity and then show your child how you issue a cheque that is payable to only the organization.

The Where - Where did my dollar go?

Help your child learn how much of the dollar he donates goes to the true charitable purpose. Some of what is donated goes to administration and cost of fund-raising. For example, if he donates to a cause for helping victims of a disaster, show him how you use the internet to find out how much of that dollar he donate goes to helping the victims.

The How - How does the charity go about helping?

You can often find out what activities the charity does to help the cause he is donating to, for example SPCA provides 24 hour ambulance service for sick, injured and very young animals, investigate cruelty complaints, adopt pets, provide educational programes for schools, clinic for SPCA’s in house animals, a service for lost and found pets, etc.

People on the streets

Explain to your child that, if he donates to people on the streets without an organization, they may be genuine or they not. They may end up giving money to people who are out to cheat, although some are genuine.
Some people have license some don’t.They could consult parents if they choose to do so.

Singapore or Overseas

Charities in Singapore are governed by rules set by the government (Charity Act) to ensure minimum abuse. Appeals for donations need to apply for license.
If you they want to donate to an organization overseas, they should get parents’ advice.

Golden Rules about Giving:
1. Investigate the what, who, where and how before donating.
2. If unsure, children should consult parents.
3. Children should get parents to write a cheque on their behalf if they donate to organizations. In this way, they know the money will reach the organization.
4. Never be to pressurized into giving