Legacy of Philanthropy
November 4, 2015
The Iowa State Fair is enjoyed by Iowans of all ages. One of the top reasons to attend the Fair is to spend time with your family. Each August, there are multigeneration campers that fill the campgrounds, family reunions and countless summer vacations spent at the Fair.
On any of the 11 days, you can see parents and grandparents following little Fairgoers around Little Hands on the Farm. Before a livestock show, the barns are buzzing with 4-Hers and their families preparing for the show ring. If you ask any family attending the Fair, they can rattle off their favorite food, meeting spot on the Fairgrounds and activity their family participates in every year.
For my family – it's pork chop on a stick, Pioneer Hall and watching entertainment on one of the free stages. One BRF staff member would say - Crescenti, riding around on the golf cart as she works and taking a ride down the Giant Slide. Another BRF staff member would say the Salad Bowl wraps, Iowa Craft Beer Tent and taking a family picture in front of the Butter Cow.
The Blue Ribbon Foundation’s mission is to make sure these memories and traditions stay intact. We are raising funds to help preserve and improve the Iowa State Fairgrounds for future generations. Featured on the Foundation’s Planned Giving page on our website is an article about encouraging generosity in your grandchildren.
Much of what we teach our young grandchildren is accomplished by setting good examples. One of these examples may be showing them how to give back. It is the firsthand experience that leaves a lasting impression. Nurturing young children's natural inclination toward helping others can also build their self-esteem, reinforce the joys of giving, and teach the importance of community and financial responsibility.
When mentoring your grandchildren through the giving process, consider the following:
- Discuss the importance of giving and how good it feels to help others.
- Together, visit charities that you're considering supporting. This lets your grandchildren see firsthand whom they'll be benefiting.
- Help grandchildren learn about money with an allowance to be divided three ways: one to spend, one to save and one to be given to a charity of their choice.
- Allow them to choose an organization or program to benefit. You may be pleasantly surprised by the sensitivity of their selections.
- At regular intervals—perhaps yearly—discuss how their donations were used and ask if they wish to benefit the same charity or another one.
- Share your grandchildren's zeal by matching their gifts to their selected organizations.
If you or your grandchildren would like to support our work with a gift to the Blue Ribbon Foundation, we would love to chat with you about the various ways to give that will create a family legacy of philanthropy. (Copyright © The Stelter Company, All rights reserved.)
You can help the Blue Ribbon Foundation keep the Iowa State Fairgrounds beautiful for your future family. Thank you for your donation and generosity that allows us to continue our shared mission.
