“Philanthropy” may sound like something reserved for wealthy, “mature” adults, but that’s not at all the case. At the Wayne County Foundation, we work with individuals of every generation, from young adults to retirees and everyone in between.
Young adults are getting involved in the community in ways that look a little different from prior generations. Research shows that Generation Z and Millennials tend to be more focused on issues than specific charities. Not surprisingly, a tech-forward approach to all aspects of philanthropy is common among members of these generations, including engaging with favorite causes on social media and making donations online. What’s more, a 2024 study indicates that for younger generations, volunteering and donating are strongly tied to civic participation. Here are a couple of ways to get started.
Make it a family affair
The Wayne County Foundation works with families to build charitable giving plans that involve all generations to achieve overall philanthropic priorities as well as coordinating with families’ advisors to achieve tax planning (subscription required) objectives
Make a point to start early
Many young adults are establishing charitable giving practices early in their careers. For example, it’s not uncommon for new hires to name a charity, such as a fund at the Wayne County Foundation, as the contingent beneficiary of an employer-sponsored retirement plan. In addition, starting in 2026, taxpayers who don’t itemize deductions can still take a tax deduction for charitable gifts up to $1000 for single filers and $2000 for joint filers. This can be a great way to support the causes you care about. Although the deduction only applies to cash gifts and does not include gifts to donor-advised funds, it’s nonetheless a notable perk. We are happy to serve as a sounding board for ways to leverage this opportunity to make a difference.
The Foundation is honored to serve as our county’s home for charitable giving across generations. We look forward to working with you and your family to support your favorite charities and achieve meaningful outcomes in our community.