Sweet! andrea piacquadio@Pexels
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Good news!
People are still giving!
Thank you, Jesus!
While fundraising guru Tom Ahern said, “Donors 65 and older comprise (by far) the largest slice of the American charity pie,” it’s not just old-wise-honored folk who give. Though Boomers and Matures do give more because they no longer have student loans, mortgages, ravenous teenagers in the house, and they buy their clothes at Goodwill (at least one does) all generations are stepping up to the plate to give. And the news is pretty darn good.
Check out this cool infographic by the non-profit fundraising organization, Classy. While it’s a few years old, I’m quite sure the numbers have not changed significantly.
Here are some highlights from that infographic:
Matures – aka “Traditionalists” (those born 1945 or earlier) represent 26% of total giving in the US. 60% donate to religious or spiritual causes.
Baby Boomers (born between 1946–1964) represent 43% of total giving. 48% donate to religious or spiritual causes.
Generation X (born between 1965–1976) represent 20% of total giving. 38% donate to religious or spiritual causes. Here’s an interesting note: this generation stands to inherit more than $40 trillion dollars.
Millennials (born between 1977–1995) represent 11% of total giving. 32% donate to religious or spiritual causes.
Generation Z (born 1996 to present) understandably are not listed in the figures of total giving. However, 30% of Gen Z have already given to a non-profit or cause; one in ten wants to start a 501c3 nonprofit.
This is good news.
Let me do the math for you. Matures and Boomers represent a whopping 69% of total giving in the U.S. Aren’t they the ones that are generally most represented in mainline congregations?
Here’s more good news: According to Zelle’s September Consumer Payment Behavior report, nearly three out of four Millennials have donated money during the pandemic. “That’s the highest rate among any of the generations polled.”
Let me remind you one more time…People are still giving!
To encourage your congregation’s philanthropy, make sure that you are asking these questions:
- Is your congregation one that people want to support through their giving?
- Are you giving them a reason to give?
- Are you asking them to give?
- Does your congregation know about the spiritual reasons for giving?
- Are you letting your people know where their giving goes?
During this bleak pandemic time, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and discouraged – especially around finances. But let this information about the generations energize you and let the questions embolden you.
You’ve got this. You really do.
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Upcoming workshops:
Endowments: What You Need to Know
September 28 and November 2; 6-8pm (Two workshops, different topics!)
Endowments aren’t just for universities and hospitals. They can be a great way to maintain church buildings and fund ministries. However, endowments don’t merely appear out of thin air. They take work, time, and an understanding of how to manage them.
Wondering how best to steward an endowment that already exists? Don’t know if you should pursue establishing an endowment? Want to know more? These workshops are the ticket! Sign-up here. Zoom information will be sent two days before the event.
For more information, click here.
Sponsored by the Greater Northwest Area of the UMC.
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