Differentiating Generations and Their Giving

Abstract

How much do Americans from different generations give to charitable and religious causes? To answer this question, giving patterns are first situated within historical, social, and technological changes segmenting one generation from the next. Additionally, the chapter summarizes life course development changes, specifically elongated transitions into adulthood and the relatively new life stage of emerging adulthood. Age and life stage intersection within generations, and the combination of these trends result in different approaches to organizational engagement. Younger generations tend to be more activity focused than organizationally loyal, and thus trends are reviewed based on action verbs, rather the organizationally based terms of prior generations. What was once work is now earning, education is now learning, religion to believing, volunteering to serving, and donating to giving. Across four data sources, the trends are consistent: younger Americans generally give less than prior generations. Adjusted for inflation and compared to prior generations at the same age, young people give an average of $180 less.