{"id":19547,"date":"2026-08-18T15:47:20","date_gmt":"2026-08-18T13:47:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/?p=19547"},"modified":"2026-08-18T16:34:59","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T14:34:59","slug":"encouraging-generation-z-to-donate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/spheriq.ch\/blog\/en\/encouraging-generation-z-to-donate\/","title":{"rendered":"Encouraging Generation Z to Donate"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Generation Z is a key target group for the future of fundraising. However, traditional appeals for donations are often not enough to reach young people. Anyone who wants to attract young donors must rethink the conventional fundraising model. <\/p>\n

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\n\t\tInhaltsverzeichnis\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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  1. \n\t\t\tBeing Part of Something: Generation Z Wants to Get Involved<\/a>\n\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t
  2. \n\t\t\tWinning over Generation Z<\/a>\n\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t
  3. \n\t\t\tReaching Generation Z on Social Media<\/a>\n\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t
  4. \n\t\t\tTurning Generation Z into Ambassadors<\/a>\n\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t
  5. \n\t\t\tMobile First: The path to making a donation must be short for Generation Z<\/a>\n\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t
  6. \n\t\t\tDonate easily online with Spheriq<\/a>\n\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<\/ol>\n\t<\/div>\n\n

    Generation Z (born between 1997 and 2012), or Gen Z for short, is considered the next generation of donors. But what does their involvement actually look like? Current figures show that even though young people often have fewer financial resources than older generations, their willingness to engage in social causes is high. According to the Swiss Donations Report 2025, 71 percent of 15- to 34-year-olds say they already donate. The donation rate is thus lower than that of 55- to 99-year-olds (87 percent), which is due, among other things, to differences in life stages and financial resources. <\/p>\n\n

    However, that doesn\u2019t mean that Generation Z is less interested in social issues. Their commitment often manifests itself in different ways. Many young people also support organizations by sharing campaigns, volunteering, or mobilizing their networks. Generation Z is therefore a target group that is very willing to donate. Grant-making foundations and NPOs simply need to learn how to reach them through the right channels and inspire lasting enthusiasm for their causes. <\/p>\n\n

    Being Part of Something: Generation Z<\/strong> Wants to Get Involved<\/h2>\n\n

    For Generation Z, social engagement doesn\u2019t start with a monetary donation. Young people get involved in a variety of ways and want to be an active part of a cause. A U.S. study<\/a> conducted in collaboration with GivingTuesday<\/a> shows that 71 percent of 18- to 29-year-olds have already been involved in some form of social engagement\u2014including not only monetary donations but also donations of time or in-kind contributions. Of these, 35 percent volunteered, 32 percent actively advocated for a social cause, and 47 percent directly supported individuals. <\/p>\n\n

    For many young people, social media or their own social circles are their first point of contact with a social cause. Before they donate money, they want to understand what they\u2019re supporting and identify with the cause. They want to feel like they\u2019re truly part of a movement or community. <\/p>\n\n

    Engaging Generation Z Early <\/strong>On<\/h4>\n\n

    Understanding this behavior is particularly important for nonprofit organizations. It\u2019s worth building a long-term relationship with Gen Z and providing them with various ways to get involved. This can include volunteering, peer-to-peer fundraising, or simply sharing campaigns. Above all, however, it means not waiting to reach out to young people until they\u2019re in a position to make financial donations, but rather involving them early on and building trust so that they become part of the cause from the very beginning. <\/p>\n\n

    Winning<\/strong><\/strong> over Generation Z<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

    Many members of Generation Z don\u2019t just want to know exactly what<\/em> they\u2019re supporting. They also want to be sure that<\/em> their support makes a tangible difference. So the key question isn\u2019t just \u201cWhy should I donate?\u201d but, above all, \u201cWhat does my donation actually accomplish?\u201d <\/p>\n\n

    Trust among younger generations is therefore built through transparency and a clear, tangible impact. An organization must, on the one hand, communicate its values and, at the same time, demonstrate measurable results. The goal is not to present as many numbers as possible, but to make the impact understandable and tangible. Young people want to see which challenges are being solved and which people are benefiting from the project. <\/p>\n\n

    Make an Impact Through Storytelling <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

    Specific stories and examples often create a greater sense of connection than general statements about social issues. It is crucial that donors understand how their contribution is being used and what kind of change it brings about. <\/p>\n\n

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    Example<\/strong>:<\/strong>Instead of: \u201cWe are committed to education,\u201dtry: \u201cThanks to your support, 300 children were able to participate in our educational program last year.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

    Credible communication, therefore, also means speaking openly about progress, challenges, and long-term goals. Organizations that transparently demonstrate their impact and authentically convey their work forge a stronger connection with young people, thereby fostering their long-term commitment. <\/p>\n\n

    Reaching Generation Z on Social Media<\/h2>\n\n

    For most young people in Generation Z, their first contact with a nonprofit organization doesn\u2019t happen through a website or traditional fundraising communications. Much more often, they become aware of social causes through digital channels and social media. However, this doesn\u2019t mean that funders and NPOs should simply use social media as an additional advertising channel to reach as many people as possible with a campaign. Advertising generates attention, but trust is built through authenticity. The primary goal, therefore, is to build genuine relationships with Gen Z. <\/p>\n\n

    Making People Visible<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

    To all nonprofit organizations: Don\u2019t put your own organization in the spotlight\u2014instead, shine a light on the people! Staff members can provide insights into their work; volunteers can share their experiences; and ambassadors can tell personal stories. The content comes across as particularly credible when it isn\u2019t perfectly staged. The focus should be on why people are committed to a cause. <\/p>\n\n

    Collaborating with Online Creators<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

    Collaborations with influencers and creators can be crucial for building trust with Generation Z. According to another U.S. study, 85 percent of Gen Z donors surveyed are more likely to donate when someone they follow and trust calls for a donation. Nearly one-third of respondents said they had already supported a fundraising campaign initiated by an online personality. <\/p>\n\n

    It\u2019s best for organizations to give creators enough space to showcase their own connection to the topic and express it in their own style. After all, it\u2019s personal, honest recommendations that make content authentic. This, in turn, leads to more attention and, eventually, to long-term engagement among potential Gen Z donors. <\/p>\n\n

    Turning Generation Z into Ambassadors<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

    For Generation Z, getting involved doesn\u2019t just mean donating money to a good cause. Many young people want to take action themselves by mobilizing those around them and becoming part of a larger movement. As a result, they are not only potential donors but also important ambassadors for nonprofit organizations. <\/p>\n\n

    Promote Community Fundraising<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

    Funders and NPOs can specifically engage young donors in community fundraising. The goal is to actively involve them in spreading awareness of a cause. Young people, so to speak, become ambassadors for a project themselves. They explain why the issue is important to them, share it with their network, and motivate others to get involved as well. Here, too, it\u2019s important to give young people the freedom to communicate their cause in their own way, rather than simply providing them with a pre-written message. <\/p>\n\n

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    Reaching Generation Z: The Key Factors for Success <\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n