Giving Compass' Take:

• Gretchen Buhlig and Mark Antonucci at ASU discuss how to engage the millennial donors and motivate them to make an impact. 

• How can organizations effectively engage with the next generation of donors?

• What will really engage the next generation? Click here to find out. 

Millennials, who grew up amidst rapid change, are often disruptors in their industries. They think differently, are motivated by different things, and they want to have a global impact. Within the world of philanthropy, they bring a different perspective than the “traditional” donor, yet the way universities engage them is mostly traditional.

At Arizona State University Foundation, we embraced the “difference” that millennials bring and went straight to them. (Well, not all of them; Arizona State University produces thousands of graduates annually!) Instead, we pursued influencers and industry changers, and we gave them a seat right next to the ASU Foundation Board. The initial members are awarded and recognized as industry leaders by trade and business publications, but they weren’t standing out at ASU. They provide insight and guidance on how they want to be connect with ASU. For example, they are interested in seeing more online options to donate.

The recently established Next Generation Council is made up of eight ASU alumni who received degrees since 2002, during the tenure of ASU’s president, Michael Crow. The purpose of the council is to develop future foundation board members and philanthropists by incorporating their perspectives into current foundation board decisions. The council is expected to grow in the coming months as the founding members design how their input will be shared with, and integrated into, the board of directors’ decisions.

Read the full article about the next generation of donors by Gretchen Buhlig and Mark Antonucci at ASU via Medium.