2015: The Charity Change and What You Need to Know

All it is, really, is a list. One hundred we’ve-got-you-figured-outs that color the picture of how charity is changing under the influence of the most expansive, affluent and – dare I say – cause-passionate generation to date.

The issue at hand is what is done with the list. Actionable information in and of itself does not produce movement, but requires an impetus by which it transforms from something that we know to something that we understand.

Each of the following six categories are the focal points of the Top 100 Findings From the Millennial Impact Project. Below are arguably the single, most important highlights from each. Do you agree? Where do you line up? And, if I may, what are you going to do about it?

1. SERVE

#2. When volunteering, respondents tended to be more interested in intrinsic benefits such as networking (51 percent) and gaining professional expertise (61 percent) than in tangible discounts or gifts. (2013)

2. GIVE                                                     

#22. Eighty-five percent of Millennials are motivated to give by a compelling mission or cause, and 56 percent by a personal connection or trust in the leadership of the organization. Only two percent of Millennials were motivated to give by celebrity endorsements. (2011)             

3. ACT

#37. According to the 2013 Millennial Impact Report, close to 72 percent of respondents said they are interested in joining a young nonprofit professional group, partially to meet people their age with similar interests (56 percent), and partially to broaden their skillset for future professional use (43 percent). (2013)

4. WORKPLACE

#57. While only 39 percent of Millennials said the company discussed cause work during the interview process, those that did influenced the Millennial by doing so. Actually, of the Millennials who heard about cause work in the interview, 55 percent of them said the company’s involvement with causes helped persuade them to take the job. (2014)

5. DIGITAL

#74. Millennials’ most significant frustrations are trying to navigate non-mobile-friendly sites (76 percent), finding some information missing or not available (65 percent), and not being able to find the details they want—contact information, for example—quickly and easily (52 percent). (2013)

6. COMMUNICATION

#84. When they are contacted, Millennials prefer specific information: 79 percent want updates on programs and services, 70 percent want to know about volunteer opportunities, 56 percent welcome information about fundraising events and an equal number (56 percent) said they want to know about activities and events for young professionals. (2011)

We are cause-minded, intrinsically-motivated doers, some of whom are teetering on the edge of cause work while watching warily to see if charity in the digital age will meet us where we’re at: on our phones. And do it well.

POINT has seen the reports, had the conversations and felt within its own team that what this generation needs is a hub. A central meeting point capable of reliably and seamlessly making the unknown known.

You know your passions; those things that drive you past yourself in the name of speaking up, acting for, giving to those who can’t. Those lenses within POINT app will serve as the filters through which you bypass the regular weights of social media and get to the good stuff.

“I really have a passion for making the world a better place and wish I had more opportunities to do so. Being part of the big picture decisions for organizations I care about would be a great learning experience and would really give me the sense that I was making a difference.” (2015 MIP, Millennial Voices)

The facts, figures and voices are speaking loud and clear. POINT is the platform through which the speaking turns into doing.

Text “@pointapp” to 81010 to join in. We’re so glad you’re here.