What are the most effective ways to build a philanthropic network across generations?

Engage children of your contributors with activities at your organization. We host a summer celebration that offers activities and hands-on experiences for all ages. We have many longterm contributors who visit our organization, mostly in the summer. We encourage our family foundation contributors to invite their children to discussions we are having about giving to our organizations. Also some of our contributors invite their children to events and webinars we host as well. Engagement of families is key.

10 Ways to Engage Donors of All Generations Tell Stories That Reach Across Generations. ... Learn About Donors' Values. ... Tailor Campaign Messages. ... Use A/B Testing. ... Use Targeted Tactics and Communication Channels. ... Build Ties With Donors Families and Networks. ... Offer Events That Appeal to Young People.

Purpose! Its all about knowing your Intention and purpose and allowing each generation to shape their own legacy - not be tied to their parents and ancestors values.

Communications is the backbone of Fundraising. And fundraising is all about ‘story telling’ and ‘updating the donors about the impact’. Catering to the emotional satisfaction quotient of different generations should be given a careful thought & handled tactically. Boomers as per my experience are people who like personal touch, f2f meetings, hand written notes, timely updates and being part of the organisation (events, board meetings etc as stakeholder). Whereas, millennials would read the Newsletters, emails, Linkedin campaigns maintaining brevity for the programs/ campaigns they are interested and are investing in. GenX would like something quick, catchy, videos can be a great medium (reels etc) and the message should be straightforward.

In today's world where some family foundations can span 4 generations (Boomers, Gen X, Millenials and Gen Z) it's really important to understand how each person/generation likes to work and communicate around that work. For example Boomers prefer to talk, Gen X prefers email, Gen Y tends towards sms, and Gen Z are masters of the video on TikTok. So this needs to be taken into account not only in how a family foundation will meet to discuss granting projects, but also in how the foundation will communicate around the programs and beneficiaries it supports. A way to engage multiple generations is to ensure flexibility around how information is shared: not only annual reports, but email newsletters and TikTok videos.

Intergenerational philanthropic collaboration at its best emanates from a shared vision for humanity that transcend age and life stage. Intentional conversations around societal challenges and opportunities that encourage curiosity, generative thinking and lead to collaboration around new initiatives are best when expertly guided. What results might your nonprofit organization achieve if/when intergenerational leaders, perhaps from the same family (ie: grandparent/young adult grandchild) are paired up to co-lead big bet projects?

This is especially effective if you have a junior board and have specific projects/goals/committees that they work together on. Make sure you have the junior board leader(s) invited to board meetings to report on their work. It can be a great feeder for future board members! And make sure both attend each others fundraising events (even if it means gala comps for the younger members) - lots of great lessons learned on both sides - seeing what sparks the interest in support at different life stages can create strategies for lifelong donors.

It is interesting that it is stated "mentors and mentees from different generations." The implication is that the elders are the mentors. People I work with think of me as a grandma, which I enjoy. I consider the younger people I work with as mentors. They have so much to teach me, and I am interested to learn. In our exchange of ideas, we mentor each other. Learning keeps us older folks young! Thank you to all those with whom I have previously and currently work.

Meet people where they are and most importantly, be authentic. As an organization, consider curating event experiences that are tailored to varying demographics and age groups. Collaborate w your teams (employees, volunteers, etc) to brainstorm event concepts that can best support your cause, while also attracting the right potentially donors and volunteers

Create "mentorship circles" where experienced philanthropists guide younger generations, or organize joint projects where diverse perspectives tackle real-world challenges. Partner with universities to engage students in volunteering or fundraising alongside seasoned donors. These collaborations foster knowledge transfer, fresh ideas, and a stronger, more inclusive network.

Don't just show numbers - tell stories! Highlight how your network's work impacts children through improved education, empowers young adults through job training, and supports seniors through healthcare initiatives. Feature individuals from different age groups sharing their positive experiences, showcasing the multigenerational reach of your network's impact.

To reach different generations with targeted communications, talk their language. Use words, images, and stories that resonate with each generation and evoke the values they espouse.

In my experience, getting people to invest in your organization (financially or emotionally) only works when you've illustrated ways in which your org. has led to the betterment of the profession/community/society. Communicating this impact in ways that resonate with, and matter to, your audience is what needs to be considered.

Go beyond websites and explore AI-powered donation platforms, virtual reality fundraising experiences, or gamified volunteer apps. Use social media strategically, tailoring content to each generation's preferred platforms and engaging them through polls, live Q&As, and influencer partnerships. Remember, accessibility is key - offer multiple options to cater to varying levels of tech-savviness.

One of the most important things to teach new generations is that we all have gifts and that those gifts are to be shared. We all see needs and have ways to meet them. Philanthropy is money, time, and attention. Most importantly, giving back must be modeled.

When a family is looking to engage multiple generations it's important to understand the context of that generation - Gen X growing up in a "latch-key" world, Gen Z where Covid coincided with key growth moments such as high-school graduation and starting university - all during confinement. This directly affects what each person's cause priorities will be. For exemple for Gen Z safety is a key issue – physical and emotional safety, and are more focused on mental health Whereas younger boomers and Gen X will be more focussed on medical research on ailments that they've seen in family close to them. Both subjects are in the health sector, and so can be a point of intersection for discussions about areas of focus for a family foundation.

Organize workshops that explore diverse ways to contribute, including volunteering skills, advocating for causes, and even organizing small community events. Highlight non-monetary contributions and create a "giving back challenge" where participants pledge their time or talent. Celebrate acts of kindness and recognize individuals who exemplify the philanthropic spirit, inspiring others to join the movement.

We are living in the middle of a cost of living crisis which cuts across all generations. To cultivate a culture of philanthropy we need to understand our operating landscape and tailor our strategies and projects accordingly. Part of this understanding means that profiling needs to reflect the current times. The offers of time and skills may be all that an individual can offer, regardless of life stage and those types of gifts in kind need to be evaluated better alongside the monetary value some are able to donate and shown as a valuable asset when making funding pitches.

I believe, it is very important to cultivate a culture of philanthropy that involves fostering a shared sense of social responsibility and generosity within an individual or community. Encourage open dialogue about the impact of giving, celebrate philanthropic achievements, and provide opportunities for individuals to contribute, regardless of the scale. It can be instilled at a very young age- teaching compassion and giving. Demonstrate the positive outcomes of collective giving, emphasizing that each contribution, no matter how small, plays a crucial role in creating a meaningful impact. A culture of giving can flourish, creating a community that values compassion and actively seeks ways to make a positive difference.

Intergenerational networks are so key to building momentum across multiple intersecting social challenges, and I’d add that we need to be wary of one size fits all definitions to what a “generation” experiences and is savvy at etc. Networks should be careful not to pander (seen this so many times in communications to “Gen Z”) and rather lean into authentic narration of purpose and impact.

Learning and adapting is key to any sector of activity. For philanthropy it's especially important as charities need to ensure they're adapting their fundraising techniques to each generation (Direct Mail which has been a standard for boomers, will not reach Gen Y or Z, nor some Gen Xers who are anti paper!) Here too it's important to understand where each generation goes to get their information/communicate TikTok for Gen Z, LinkedIn and Facebook for Gen X ....

Feedback and evaluation are an important part of any campaign or activity you undertake. Always assess the success or failure of your efforts.

Feedback from donors can be a very useful step hence should be a part of the process. It will make them feel involved and gives a sense of ownership as well as greatly helps in making necessary changes be it - techniques, procedures, structures and can lay a strong base for evaluation of performance and overall outcome. It can help in strengthening the network involving all age groups, building trust and credibility. Each generation can play a vital role by sharing their inputs and an equilibrium can be maintained by catering to the needs of respective generations. Millennials can contribute in developing strong strategies/ procedures whereas GenZ can throw light on latest technologies or AI tools, trending social media campaigns etc.

Actively solicit feedback from different generations within your network. Conduct surveys, host focus groups, and track engagement metrics to understand evolving preferences and needs. Stay up-to-date on emerging trends in philanthropy, like impact investing or environmental initiatives, and adjust your strategies to remain relevant and attract new generations.

We are still in the midst of a great wealth transfer and new donors think and act differently than donors of the past but that doesn't mean you ignore previous donors. It just means you need onramps for a variety of donors and your transparency and engagement must be top notch. Gone are the days of checkbook philanthropy because older donors are learning from their younger counterparts and all donors are requiring a different level of engagement and that's something to embrace!

When establishing an intergenerational philanthropic network, long-term thinking is essential. Quick fixes must be balanced with investments in enduring change, even if it takes decades. Educate partners on tracking incremental progress towards visionary goals. Communications should highlight inspiring stories of change led by the young and historically marginalized. Patience and foresight are imperative. Demonstrate how today’s efforts will improve lives for generations to come. In essence, sustainable intergenerational networks require participatory leadership, bold long-term thinking, trusting young voices, celebrating diverse changemakers, and communicating patient persistence.

In multiple counties across the United States and Provinces across Canada, we went to the Alternative Schools and taught about values to the students. Then, we took those older students to teach the children in younger grades. We learn what we value from those who value us and we grow our values by sharing them with others. We didn’t teach what values the young people SHOULD have, we helped them identify the values they ALREADY had and then helped them practice those values by teaching them. The primary values almost all young people named were respect, courtesy (kindness) and dignity. Teaching values to another generation does NOT work unless the young people themselves are doing the teaching.

Prioritize building trust by communicating transparently about finances, governance, and impact measurement. Showcase ethical practices through responsible fundraising and partnerships. Align your efforts with the values of your target demographics, whether it's environmental sustainability, social justice, or educational opportunities. Remember, fostering a sense of community within your network, where individuals feel connected and valued, is key to long-term success.

To personalise your message; make it human; relatable; capture people’s attention & make them think they must rally & support your cause ??