Gen Z Is Redefining Philanthropy—Here’s What That Means for the Future of Giving
I was recently featured in Yahoo Life, discussing a powerful and often overlooked trend: Gen Z is reshaping philanthropy and charitable giving in ways no previous generation has. Despite being young and often having limited financial resources, Gen Z is driving donations, amplifying causes, and influencing others to give—especially through platforms like GoFundMe. Check out the full article by clicking here.
As a generational researcher who has been studying Gen Z for years, one thing has remained consistent: this generation is deeply mission-driven. They care about social change, community impact, and supporting causes that align with their values. But what’s unique is how they give—and what that means for the future of philanthropy.
Why Gen Z Gives Differently
For older generations, giving to charity was often a structured process—writing a check, mailing it in, and supporting well-established nonprofits. But Gen Z is changing that model completely. For them, donating is fast, digital, and deeply personal.
Instead of only supporting national organizations, Gen Z prefers direct, immediate impact—helping a friend in need, donating to a local family facing hardship, or supporting someone in their extended network. They don’t want to just give money; they want to see the effect of their generosity in real-time.
GoFundMe and similar platforms make this possible. They allow Gen Z to donate as much—or as little—as they can afford while also making their support visible to their social networks. And visibility matters. Unlike older generations, who often keep charitable giving private, Gen Z is 10 times more likely to publicly share that they donated, according to a GoFundMe spokesperson. Not to boast, but to inspire others to take action.
It’s Not Just About Money—It’s About Influence
One of the biggest misconceptions about Gen Z’s philanthropy is that it’s only about financial donations. In reality, this generation’s true superpower is mobilization. They may not have the deepest pockets, but they have influence—and they use it.
Gen Z rallies others to donate by sharing fundraisers, creating viral content, and leveraging their social media networks. They are more comfortable than any other generation asking people to give, but only when they truly believe in the cause. And when they believe in something, they don’t just support it—they advocate for it.
My research on Gen Z has consistently shown that they over-index for supporting mission-driven causes. They want to do something positive in the world, and they’re willing to take action—even if it means making sacrifices in their own spending to keep donating.
The Future of Giving Is Personal, Digital, and Immediate
Gen Z is proving that philanthropy isn’t just about large, one-time donations—it’s about small, consistent contributions that create meaningful change. Their approach is reshaping how charities, nonprofits, and even businesses think about engagement.
Organizations that want to connect with Gen Z donors must embrace transparency, urgency, and digital accessibility. Gen Z doesn’t want to wait months to see the impact of their giving—they want to know how their money is making a difference now.
This shift is already happening. More companies are integrating giving into their platforms, more nonprofits are focusing on real-time storytelling, and more individuals are stepping up to support their communities in direct and personal ways.
The bottom line? Gen Z is leading a new era of giving. It’s not about how much money they have—it’s about how much impact they can create. And that’s a lesson all of us can learn from.
Want more on Gen Z? Check out my latest bestselling book, Zconomy: How Gen Z Will Change the Future of Business—and What to Do About It, or download some of our free State of Gen Z reports by clicking here.
Posted: February 4th, 2025
Categories: Generations | Inspiration | Keynote Speaking | Leadership | Trends | Workforce
Written by Jason Dorsey
Jason Dorsey is an acclaimed generations and behavioral researcher and speaker. He's received over 1,000 standing ovations for his unique keynote presentations. Jason has led over 120 research studies. Adweek calls him a "research guru." His mission is to deliver new insights and practical strategies that solve business challenges for leaders.
