From Passion to Action: How Young Adults are Revolutionizing Philanthropy

The most recent data shows that there are 68.6 million Gen Z ached people in the US. That contributes to 20% of the entire United States population.

If you are a part of Gen Z, you may feel your philanthropic responsibility. This is something that weighs heavily on a lot of young people's shoulders.

It is hard to identify why exactly that is as it is more prevalent in the younger generations. Philanthropy may be becoming more popular as young people are so much more aware of the world.

Keep reading to find out the philanthropic responsibility tasks young people are doing.

What Is Philanthropy?

Before we get into the philanthropic responsibility of young people, what is philanthropy? You most likely associate philanthropy with charitable donations.

You're not wrong in making this connection, as philanthropy is connected to donating. But it is important to understand that this is not all that it is about.

Philanthropy is often described as an effort from a group of people who want to be charitable. Instead of a single person donating, an entire community donates.

Or instead of volunteering your time, you form a group of volunteers. This is why you may often find private foundations embedded in philanthropy.

This is also something that a wide variety of wealthy people and celebrities have dabbled in. Nonprofits could also be described as philanthropic organizations.

The sole purpose of these organizations is to help with charities. This includes donating money as well as donating resources, skills, and time.

Why Is Philanthropy Important?

You may be wondering why philanthropic responsibility is so important. Or you may be curious about how it actually has an impact.

These are good questions to ask so that you can understand this responsibility. Philanthropy is more than just finding donors or getting millennials to help out.

Here are some examples of how philanthropy affects society and the world itself.

Identifies the Forgotten

A big goal of philanthropy is to find people who are often overlooked. In our modern-day society, this is often the smaller and more diverse groups of people in the US.

These are people who may not have the same opportunities that others in society do. They would be categorized as people who have fallen between the cracks.

Philanthropic efforts target these people and try to find ways to help them. This may be through providing financial aid or providing better job opportunities.

One example is private foundations that provide college scholarships for minorities. Scholarships help these individuals to afford a better education for a brighter future.

Helps Those in Need

Philanthropy also helps to assist people in society who are in need. In the US, there is a great abundance of people who are in desperate need of assistance.

They may need mental, physical, or financial assistance in their life. Unfortunately, there are not many resources to help these people.

there is only so much assistance that the government provides, and it is very choosy. Philanthropic efforts help to identify people who are in need of help.

This is often done by raising money through fundraisers to financially assist these people. But other things may also be offered, like better healthcare or mental health care.

Identifies Long Term Issues

A deeper aspect of philanthropy is identifying the bigger issues. To do this, you have to step back and look at the big picture, not the things right in front of you.

One good example of long-term issues is climate change. Philanthropy has recently taken a turn in helping with climate and environmental problems.

This is no surprise since climate change issues are at the forefront right now. People are becoming more and more aware of these problems and how they need to be fixed.

The problem is that money is always required for any kind of project. This includes tackling environmental issues that could pose a risk to the future.

This is why philanthropy is trying to assist with the climate change movement. This includes helping out with a variety of environmental issues.

Encourages Community

A huge benefit of philanthropy is that it also helps the community. Our modern-day society is very antisocial and withdrawn.

This creates a huge lack of community where people do not feel connected to others. Any kind of charitable behavior immediately remedies this problem.

This helps to draw people together who would otherwise not have anything else in common. It also helps to reduce the space between people from different cultures and ways of life.

The community is strengthened when people have a common goal in mind. If everyone's working toward the same thing, this creates a connection, no matter who they are.

Shares the Wealth

A very important part of charitable donations is sharing wealth. The reality is that wealth is not distributed evenly among people.

This has always been the case and doesn’t seem to be changing anytime soon. But there are plenty of people who want to try to distribute wealth more evenly.

One of the goals of philanthropy is to reduce the divide between the wealthy and the poor. This is done by financially aiding people who are in severe financial situations.

This could mean helping out the homeless by providing homes and jobs for them. Or it could mean providing better opportunities for minorities who may be struggling with money.

This is part of why many wealthy people participate in philanthropy. They donate their own money as well as encourage donations from others.

Improves Health

You may not have realized is that there are health benefits to philanthropy. Experts have found that charitable actions have a physical impact on your body.

People who are charitable tend to have better health and emotional well-being. It is able to lower blood pressure and may even help you to live longer.

There are plenty of emotional benefits as well, which you may have expected. People who are generous and give to the greater good have a better perspective on life.

They may struggle less with depression or anxiety. Their self-esteem may also go up as their focus is less on themselves and more on others.

Even though philanthropy is a big way to carry, people often tend to be happier. This gives life meaning and helps you to feel like you are working toward something.

How Is Gen Z Making a Difference?

Now that you understand what philanthropic responsibility is, how is it taking place? Young people are at the forefront of philanthropy and are making great strides.

For the most part, there has never been a more charitable group of people. Part of this may come from the fact that information is readily available in our society.

Young people are more aware than ever of what is going on around them in the world. It is no longer as easy to ignore the need that we are surrounded by.

Here are some examples of how millennials and Gen Z are contributing to philanthropy.

International Human Rights

One example of philanthropic responsibility young people are taking on is international rights. Young people aren’t only focused on their local community anymore.

Young people are more aware than ever of what is going on in other countries. This includes disparities, wars, and prevalent poverty.

There are many organizations filled with young people who are tackling these issues. They are doing this by sending volunteers and making charitable donations.

Disability Rights

Modern-day society has made great strides when it comes to health. We understand now more than ever before about physical health and disabilities.

Despite these strides, there are still issues when it comes to disabilities. Young people are fighting to make sure people with disabilities have equal rights.

They are fighting to make sure they are protected by the law so they aren’t discriminated against. They are also fighting to make sure the world is more accessible to those with disabilities.

Many are also fighting to try to spread awareness about health conditions. So many disabilities are misunderstood, making it difficult for those living with them.

Climate Change

Young people have especially turned their focus to climate change. This is one of the top issues that are in desperate need of attention.

People are starting to donate and volunteer to target environmental problems. This includes organizing functions to encourage more sustainable practices.

It also includes trying to change laws that contribute to climate change. This is an issue that has a small impact in the present but a huge impact in the future.

Womens Rights

Something else that many are focusing on is women’s rights. Despite having made many leaps and bounds socially, women are still fighting.

Young people are focusing on this, fighting for better equality. This includes job opportunities and educational opportunities.

There are many philanthropic organizations designed to assist women.

Small Businesses

Young people are also shining the light on small businesses. People want to support businesses that actually stand for something.

This also helps people to be able to follow their dreams and become financially secure. Women-owned businesses are specifically being supported as well as businesses from minorities.

How to Get Involved

If you feel your philanthropic responsibility, you may be wondering how you can get involved. This is a common question that young people have and there are several answers.

The good news is that there are several ways you can start to help. This will depend on your situation and the abilities you have to offer.

Volunteer

One of the best ways to become more charitable is to volunteer. This is the perfect option for a variety of people as it is more accessible than donating.

You may not be in the financial position to donate your money. But you most likely have the ability to donate some of your time.

You could volunteer at charitable organizations or nonprofits. You could also volunteer at local establishments meant to help those in need.

This includes establishments like soup kitchens, homeless shelters, and animal shelters. You could also volunteer with environmental programs.

Donate

If possible, it is a great option to become a donor. You can find charitable organizations that financially assist in specific ways.

Just make sure you understand exactly where your money is going. Only trust reputable organizations that can prove where the donations are providing assistance.

It is best to choose one or two organizations to support so you can make bigger donations.

Identify a Problem

You could also branch out on your own and identify a problem. Maybe your local coast is scattered with garbage that is bad for the environment.

If that is the case, you could put together a group of volunteer cleaners. Or you may have noticed an abundance of homeless people in your local community.

You could create a group of people to create care packages and pass them out. There’s always a way to put your skills to use if you see that there is a need.

Young Adults and Philanthropic Responsibility

Philanthropic responsibility is something that is very prevalent in our modern-day society. It is especially noticeable when it comes to the younger generations.

Philanthropy's rooted in charities, like donating money or providing opportunities. But there is a multitude of ways that you can contribute.

This includes volunteering your time and skills or joining a charity.

Are you a young person who wants to make a difference? Contact us today at Honor Society to view our educational resources.