In 2014, 84 percent of millennial employees gave to charity and 70 percent of them donated more than an hour to a charitable cause, according to the Case Foundation’s Millennial Impact Report: 2015 (download required). Sure, boomers and Gen Xers are giving more in terms of dollars ($732 and $1,212 per year, respectively), but at an average of $481 given each year, millennials are quickly gaining influence over the philanthropic space (source: The Next Generation of American Giving, 2018).

Considering that millennials earn less than their counterparts did and are often riddled with student debt, years away from owning a car or a home, these numbers are significant. If people become more generous over their lives and are more likely to give if their parents give, millennials will become the most generous generation in history.

Why are millennials giving at higher rates than their predecessors? This likely has to do with a number of factors. Among them, the digitization of the world as we know it, the rise of mobile and online banking and the ease with which individuals can learn about and share issues with others.

How can nonprofits connect with millennials?

  • Ask for more than money.  They will sign up and volunteer their time for fundraising, crowdfunding or fieldwork.
  • Tell stories. The space is crowded. Telling a story will motivate them more than facts.
  • Keep it simple. Your cause should be tweetable and repeatable. Avoid overcomplicating your message and stick to the high points.
  • Communicate urgency. The first thing potential donors ask is: Why does this matter to me now? Getting urgency across in your message is essential.

Read the full article about millennials are changing philanthropy by Justin Wheeler at Forbes.