There is growing interest in understanding how Generation Z (also referred to as Gen Z) and Millennials will reshape the future philanthropic landscape. Often referred to as the next generation of donors, their story is still being written. Nonetheless, we already know that this unique group of young donors is influencing the sector in discernible ways. The Next Generation of Philanthropy report takes a close look at how the next generation approaches giving differently than the generations that came before them.

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The analysis provided for this study was derived using the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy’s Philanthropy Panel Study, a module of the University of Michigan’s Panel Study of Income Dynamics, which has been tracking households since 2000. By following the same households over time, this longitudinal approach provides unique insights into changes in giving behavior by individuals and within households and families. This study shows that profound generational differences exist in giving to religious and secular causes.

Collection of the Philanthropy Panel Study data within the Panel Study on Income Dynamics was begun in 2001 with funding from the Atlantic Philanthropies, with continuing waves funded by partnering donors; recent institutional donors include the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, Fidelity Charitable Catalyst Fund, Givelify Foundation, Google. Org Charitable Giving Fund, and the John Templeton Foundation.