We establish a family budget, plan for vacations, save for education and retirement, but we fail to to plan to give.  This is the purpose of the "Family Partnership."  This is an opportunity to determine what your family values are and how you use your resources to reflect them.  You don't need to be rich in order to establish a giving plan.  You only need to have the desire to make a difference and willingness to be intentional about it.  A $50 gift can be as impactful as a $500 or $5000 gift.  It's not the amount that matters, it's the intent.

     If you have children or grandchildren, it's important to create opportunites to give.  These are lessons that are better caught than taught.  The joy that comes from helping others catches on pretty quickly and creates a spirit of generosity that brings joy to both give and receiver. 

     You can get creative in how you choose to form your family partnership.  You might choose to match your child or grandchild's donation 2:1 or 10:1.  Or you might establish a fund that you contribute to each month and at Christmas or Easter vote on how to use the fund to carry out one of the corporal works of mercy: Feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, visit the sick, visit the imprisoned, bury the dead.   You can encourage your child to think about naming a charity as the recipient of gifts in lieu of themselves for their next birthday.

     Need more inspiration? Watch the stories of families who have experiences this intentional giving first hand.

     We encourage you to fill out this form as a first step.  We want to support you and promote what you are doing.  Keep us in the loop and let us know what kinds of fruit your family partnership bears.