“Philanthropy” may sound like something reserved for wealthy, “mature” adults, but that’s not at all the case. At The Foundation for Delaware County, we work with individuals of every generation, from young adults to retirees and everyone in between — and across different income levels.
Young adults in particular are getting involved in the community in ways that look a little different from prior generations. Research shows that Generation Z and Millennials tend to be more focused on issues rather than specific charities. Not surprisingly, a tech-forward approach to all aspects of philanthropy is common among members of these generations, including engaging with favorite causes on social media and making donations online. What’s more, a 2024 study indicates that for younger generations, volunteering and donating are strongly tied to civic participation.
If you’re a parent or grandparent of young adults, or if you’re a young adult yourself, you’ll be glad to know that The Foundation for Delaware County can help. Here are three suggestions.
1. Make it a Family Affair.
Multi-generational philanthropy creates powerful learning opportunities while strengthening family bonds around shared values and community commitment. Parents and grandparents can model generous behavior by involving young family members in giving decisions, from researching potential nonprofit partners to participating in family foundation meetings or donor-advised fund discussions. This collaborative approach allows different generations to bring their unique perspectives, with older family members contributing wisdom and experience while younger members offer fresh insights about emerging issues and innovative solutions. Family giving traditions, such as annual volunteer days, nonprofit site visits, or regular family meetings to discuss charitable priorities, create meaningful shared experiences that teach young people that philanthropy is not just about money but about ongoing engagement with community needs.
The Foundation for Delaware County works with families to build charitable giving plans that involve all generations to achieve overall philanthropic priorities, as well as coordinating with families’ advisors to maximize their charitable dollars through tax planning. For example, a multi-generational philanthropy can include donor-advised funds, legacy plans that include IRA beneficiary designations to establish an endowment, and strategic use of Qualified Charitable Distributions for family members who are 70 ½ or older.
2. Start with Issues, Not Organizations.
Young people today are naturally drawn to causes and social issues rather than specific charitable organizations, so effective engagement begins by focusing on the problems they care about most—whether that’s climate change, social justice, mental health, education equity, or other pressing concerns. Rather than asking them to support a particular nonprofit, encourage your children to first identify the issues that spark their passion, then help them through the process of researching and discovering which organizations are most effectively addressing these challenges. This issue-based approach feels more authentic to younger generations and allows them to develop their own philanthropic identity rather than inheriting traditional charity loyalties. Current events and trending topics provide natural entry points for these conversations, helping young people see the direct connection between their values and their giving.
3. Combine Giving with Active Engagement.
For young people, writing a check feels incomplete—they want to roll up their sleeves and see their impact through hands-on volunteer opportunities that complement their financial contributions. Meaningful leadership roles on nonprofit boards, advisory committees, or project teams demonstrates trust in their capabilities and provides valuable professional development while advancing charitable missions.
The Foundation for Delaware County can help young people get connected with peer networks that share an interest in getting involved in the community. For example, our team is happy to serve as the back office for establishing what’s known as a “giving circle,” which is a type of fund that allows donors to pool resources with peers to make a bigger impact than they could achieve alone. Giving circles provide an outstanding hands-on learning experience in philanthropy, especially because the Foundation provides education and resources about grantmaking, local needs, and nonprofit leadership.
The team at The Foundation for Delaware County is honored to serve as a resource and sounding board as you build your charitable plans and pursue your philanthropic objectives for making a difference in the community. This newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, accounting, or financial planning advice. Please consult your tax or legal advisor to learn how this information might apply to your own situation.
