$18 trillion could flow to charitable causes by 2048, and Gen Z and Millennials are reshaping that money around causes, digital tools and hands-on participation rather than loyalty to institutions.
5.8% of Gen Z and 6.3% of Millennials recently gave to education, underscoring a shift away from traditional higher-education fundraising toward human services, basic needs, animal welfare and social justice.
More than $500 million in cryptocurrency donations reached U.S. nonprofits in 2021, with average gifts of $5,000 to $15,000, as younger donors increasingly use social platforms, peer-to-peer campaigns and micro-donations.
Political events and breaking news can trigger 'rage giving' among younger supporters, pushing nonprofits to tie missions to current issues and show direct impact quickly.
Nonprofits adapting to the shift are being urged to offer mobile and crypto giving, use AI to match funders with programs, and communicate with short, transparent, data-backed storytelling.