8 Life Lessons Fundraising Teaches Children

Fundraising is an effective way to unite people of all ages toward a good cause. Many people who participate in fundraisers learn something valuable, especially children. Kids learn a variety of life lessons when they help raise money for fundraisers. Learning skills like handling money and teamwork at an early age is extremely beneficial, as these abilities are necessary for many areas of life. Participating in fundraising as a child can help kids start developing skills for a successful future.

Find out what life lessons kids learn while fundraising below.

What do kids learn from fundraising?

While the primary purpose of fundraising is to raise money for a valuable cause, it can also be a learning opportunity for kids. When kids are involved with fundraising, they can learn numerous life lessons and skills that will benefit them throughout their lives. Consider how kids can learn these lessons through fundraising.

1. Communication

Fundraising requires significant communication between other fundraiser volunteers and potential donors. Fundraisers must communicate their intentions for the money collected, share their values, and encourage others to donate. As kids help with fundraising efforts, they’ll learn to communicate clearly and effectively and the importance of written, verbal and non-verbal communication. They’ll learn how to communicate via emails and texts, listen, empathize, be open-minded, control non-verbal cues, and more. 

Kids also learn how to speak their minds and articulate thoughts in an engaging, persuasive way. For example, kids will learn that telling stories of how donations will be used is a much more effective way to get donations than listing off facts. These types of communication skills are crucial for success in school, work, relationships, and various other areas of life. 

2. Goal setting

Setting and meeting goals and deadlines become more common the older a child gets, especially in school and work. Fundraising revolves around goals and deadlines, making it the perfect way for kids to be exposed to goal setting and completing tasks in a given timeframe. Fundraising gives kids a hands-on experience to learn the importance of setting realistic, positive goals and how it feels to reach them.

Learning how to set goals from a young age also helps kids learn life lessons like discipline, motivation, and cooperation. Being exposed to these life lessons as kids helps them refine those skills as they get older. They’ll better understand how to plan their objectives and strive to meet goals in personal, academic, and professional settings.

3. How to handle money

For many kids, saving money may be a challenge — they tend to get excited about having money and are eager to spend it. Participating in a fundraiser helps teach kids the importance of collecting and saving money to put toward something beneficial. For example, students in a school fundraiser for a new playground will see their hard work to earn donations pay off when they finally raise enough funds for the new playground and everyone gets to enjoy it. 

4. Teamwork

Fundraising is a team effort. Learning how to work in a team is an extremely valuable life lesson to learn from a young age. Regardless of where life takes them, kids need to know how to effectively work with others to achieve a common goal. Whether it be fundraising, school projects, or a corporate sales pitch, teamwork involves taking responsibility, compromising, cooperating, delegating, communicating, and more. 

As kids work with other fundraisers and leaders, they’ll understand the importance of their role in the team as a whole, better preparing them for teamwork situations later in life.

5. Leadership skills

There are many qualities that make someone a great leader, and leadership may look different for everyone. However, kids can learn the foundation for valuable leadership skills through fundraising. A big part of leading is the ability to motivate and encourage others. As kids work toward their fundraising goals, they’ll learn to motivate each other and lead others in the right direction to meet their own goals. 

Kids will also learn how to handle and overcome rejection, think strategically, be flexible and stay positive, all of which will help make them great leaders. Even if kids aren’t acting in leadership roles for a fundraiser, they can learn from the example others in leadership positions set.

6. Accountability

Accountability helps teach kids cause and effect. During a fundraiser, kids may be held responsible for raising a certain percentage toward the end goal, making them accountable for their portion of the funds. They’ll learn that being accountable and successfully raising their share positively affects the fundraiser while coming up short will do the opposite. 

Learning accountability helps kids understand that their actions are powerful and that whatever they do directly affects them and others. Learning to be accountable early sets kids up for success and responsibility in the future. 

7. Confidence

Fundraising is an ideal opportunity for kids to build confidence as they persevere, overcome challenges, work hard and reach achievements. Kids can get turned away when asking for donations. When this happens, they may feel discouraged, but as they persevere and receive more donations, they’ll feel more confident in themselves and their abilities. As kids meet fundraising goals, they’ll feel more and more confident as they push themselves toward objectives they previously viewed as too challenging. 

As kids overcome these challenges and are rewarded when they achieve what they set out to do, they’ll feel more confident and motivated to accomplish more. This self-confidence will then carry over into other areas of their lives and help them persevere in other ways. 

8. The importance of giving

Why is fundraising important for kids? One of the biggest lessons learned from fundraising is the importance of giving. Fundraising teaches kids how to think about others, work toward helping others, and feel good about giving. Learning the importance of giving from a young age teaches kids to use what they have to help others who may be less fortunate. Giving and fundraising promote a culture of compassion, sharing, and generosity. 

Helping others as a child helps kids become less self-centered from a younger age, often developing into giving adults that continue the cycle.

Make fundraising simple with GiveSmart

Help pass on these skills to future generations with a seamless fundraising event. As a nonprofit, you’re likely aware of the extensive planning and support necessary to host a successful fundraiser. Luckily, fundraising event technology like GiveSmart simplifies the process with industry-leading solutions. 

Our platform is designed to fit your needs, regardless of what they may be. Enjoy convenient access to the platform from anywhere, custom event support, and insight from over 31,000 events. We’re invested in continuous improvement and innovation to provide the most effective solutions for partners like you.

Contact our fundraising experts for more information or request a demo to get started today.