26 ways to be generous this summer

One of the best things about the summer season is the time and space it gives us to be more intentional with our generosity. That’s why, this summer, we want to encourage you to look for unique opportunities to share your time, talents, and resources.

Here are 26 simple ways to make the summer of 2026 your most generous season yet:

1. Volunteer at an animal rescue – Research the animal shelters or service-dog trainers in your community. Then, sign up for a day to serve. Donate your time and affection (or your money) to an organization and the animals they’re caring for this summer.
2. Pay someone’s camp fees – There’s nothing better than summer camp. And it’s something every child or youth should have the chance to experience. Whether it’s a one-day local camp in your community or a week-long, out-of-state opportunity, commit to covering the cost of camp for someone you know may not be able to afford it.
3. Open your backyard – Have a family pool? A great outdoor space? A nice patio? Invite people in your church or community to come on over. Provide a few snacks, and share in some laid-back fun together. For those who may not have access to a place to swim, play, or rest, this could be a highlight of their summer.
4. Create a “take what you need” cooler – Help delivery drivers, mail delivery people, sanitation workers, landscapers, and others beat the heat by leaving a cooler of bottled water and sports drinks on your porch. Be sure to leave a note letting them know it’s there for the taking.
5. Help with a summer mission trip or service project for teens at your church – Check in with your student pastor at your church to see what they have planned for the student ministry this summer. Ask where you can step in to help with a student summer service project or mission trip.
6. Host a “garage sale for good” – Organize a neighborhood-wide garage sale with your friends and neighbors. Commit to giving all the money made to a charity serving people in your community. It’s a fun way to clear out some clutter for a good cause!
7. Offer childcare for a family with two working parents – Help alleviate a potential pain point for families with two working parents by providing free childcare for their kids. Offer a day or two (or more!) of babysitting while both parents are at work.
8. Go on a generosity scavenger hunt – In a world where pain, struggle, and heartache are easy to see, make a point this summer to look for the good. Take your kids on a generosity scavenger hunt of sorts, encouraging them to keep their eyes open all summer for ways they can be generous or ways they see others around them being generous.
9. Curate and share an encouraging a playlist – Support a friend with a Spotify playlist of worship songs or music that speaks to their situation. Send it along with a note like, “Listen to this when you’re on the long drive home,” or “Play this when you need a pick-me-up.”
10. Take an older adult on a summer outing – Consider those in your church or community who may be on their own this summer. Offer to take them out for a treat. Go for ice cream, visit a garden, walk somewhere shaded, or drive through a favorite part of town together for an afternoon respite.
11. Invite someone else on a summer adventure – Planning a fun activity this summer? Invite someone else to join you. If you have space, invite a family or friend who may not otherwise get a vacation to join you on a summer trip or weekend getaway. Or keep it simpler by inviting them along for a day at the pool or a visit to the zoo.
12. Coordinate a neighborhood cleanup – Gather your neighbors to spruce up your neighborhood. Pick up trash, do a little lawn care, plant flowers, and enjoy a day of fellowship and service together.  
13. Partner with others to make a bigger gift – We can do more together, right? That’s true in most areas of our lives, giving included! So, consider making a bigger impact by partnering with others to make a bigger gift.
14. Support families who need meals in the summer – For many families, summer can be a season of scarcity. With schools closed and meals no longer provided during the day, the need for food can be great. Look for ways to donate to a local food bank or provide meals for families who need them most this summer season.
15. Make your vacation generous – Heading out of town this summer? Research charities near where you’re traveling and commit to spending part of a day at one serving, learning, and giving locally.
16. Host a Journey of Generosity in your home – Offer to host a Journey of Generosity this summer. It’s a great opportunity to facilitate discussion around the transformational topic of biblical generosity.
17. Support local businesses – Make this summer the season of shopping local. Whenever you can, opt to support a local business with your dollars, your business, and your good reviews online.
18. Drop off handwritten notes of gratitude to first responders – Show your support of local firefighters, police officers, paramedics, nurses, and other frontline workers and first responders. Write them personalized notes of gratitude, care, and prayers to encourage them in their incredibly important work.
19. Take a charity leader to lunch – Is there a charity you routinely serve in your community or an organization you want to learn more about? Offer to take the leader to lunch to get to know them personally, discover more about their work, and learn ways you can help.
20. Give toward summer utility bills – Some utility bills tend to soar during the summer season. So, consider asking your church if you can give to help cover someone’s costs. Or ask a staff member of a local charity if they know a family who could use help covering their higher electricity bills this summer.
21. Make a meal for a young family – Young parents in the throes of caring for a newborn or in the early childhood stages of parenting have a lot on their plate and little time to fill the dinner plates! Take one thing off their long to-do list by making a meal to feed their growing family. 
22. Provide free summer tutoring – Are you a math pro? A literature lover? A science specialist? Reach out to your network to let them know you’re providing free tutoring sessions to help students grow in their knowledge of your preferred subject before school starts again in the fall.
23. Spend individual time with each of your kids – Nothing deepens a relationship with a child like individual quality time. Make space this summer for one-on-one activities with each of your kids. Do something they like to do, ask leading questions, actively listen to what they’re interested in, and find ways to tell them how special you know God made them to be. 
24. Volunteer at a children’s hospital – Unfortunately, summer isn’t carefree and fun for everyone. Show up for those battling illness this season by reading books, playing games, providing gifts, or spending quality time with patients at your local children’s hospital.
25. Support a recent graduate – Give to someone you know is preparing to go off to college this fall. Create a gift basket with dorm supplies they’ll need or offer to take them shopping to get their college-ready essentials.
26. Give away a fun treat – Everybody loves a summer treat, right? The next time you head to the pool, beach, or your local park, pack a cooler full of popsicles, ice cream sandwiches, or snow cones. Share them with others while you’re there.

For more ideas to infuse your summer with giving, connect with your local NCF team.