In times of uncertainty, donors may be inclined to reconsider, postpone, or even suspend their charitable giving. From the donor’s perspective, this is a rational and reasonable reaction because charitable giving is optional and voluntary. However, charitable giving also becomes even more crucial during these times as the demands on charitable organizations increase.

Successful charitable organizations will chart a course to maintain donor relationships through this period of uncertainty, even when donors delay or suspend their giving. We believe planned giving, especially revocable testamentary gifts, can provide an avenue to maintain and even expand donor engagement during these difficult times.

As they reshape philanthropy, the Millennial and Gen Z generations are prioritizing social impact, embracing technology, and seeking innovative ways to engage in their giving. A report, Shaping Tomorrow: How Gen Z and Millennials View Charitable Giving, based upon a survey conducted by Foundation Source, offers new insights.

These generations proactively seek opportunities to give back through a wide range of charitable activities based upon values and attitudes shaped by the tumultuous years during which they grew up. They are determined to play a role in communities they care about, believe they have an obligation to make an impact, and are ready to get to work!

Does this sound familiar? “I have to write the lead article for our newsletter by Friday. Where are those photos I want to use for the testimonial? What format should we use for our legacy society lunch? Should we hold the event at all? I need to get approval to the edits to our gift acceptance policies. Are we getting everything we are entitled to from that bequest?”

Read your job description. What is your primary responsibility? Does your title include Planned Giving Officer, Development Officer, Advancement Officer, Major Gift Officer, or similar terms? The principal concern and obligation of such a position is to attract voluntary support to advance the mission of a non-profit organization. But often, support functions prevent fundraisers from focusing on the most important part of their job: fundraising.

Recently, researchers at the Harvard Center for Brain Science crafted an experiment to see if donors could be redirected from supporting their favorite charities (“giving from the heart”) to supporting more effective charities (“giving from the head”). The effective charities were selected from GiveWell, a charity navigator for the Effective Altruism (EA) movement, which also funded the study through the Effective Altruism Fund. If your only familiarity with EA is its relationship to disgraced cypto-currency billionaire Sam Bankman-Fried, it’s worth learning a bit about the movement and how it’s working to change the nature of philanthropy.

EA encourages its followers to earn more, so they can give more and to support only the most effective charities with their giving. According to EA, an effective charitable gift benefits the most people for the least financial outlay.

Do you need to worry that EA will capture your donors? They’re certainly going to try.