Valencia Family Fund: Learning to Give Back

Lynne Valencia set up a donor-advised fund as a way to help her son and eight-year-old granddaughter understand philanthropy. “I’m going to let them direct it. Knowing my granddaughter as I do, it will go to some animal shelters. My granddaughter loves puppies and kittens,” Lynne said.

Community First Foundation encourages families like Lynne’s to hold meetings where children and other family members make informed recommendations about which charities will receive gifts.

For her son, organizations working with at-risk youth will be a likely source for grants. “As a young man of color, he’s always been sensitive to that,” Lynne said.

Lynne sees the fund as an educational tool that will help teach her son and granddaughter about the importance of giving back to the community. Helping Lynne to direct the donations will empower them to make an impact in the community.

“This fund will set it up for my granddaughter to feel like giving is an obligation and it will open up a conversation about other ways she can give back and fully participate in our community,” said Lynne.