By Kim Carpenter Drake

Millennials. Also known as Generation Y, this group encompasses those born between 1980 and 1994 and is the second largest generation after Baby Boomers. We have heard much in the news lately about their perspective on the workplace and their sometimes high demands for recognition and positive feedback. They are, after all, the children of Baby Boomers and the most “hovered-over” generation in U.S. history, according to Deloitte Consulting.

How will they lead us in the future and how will we, as nonprofits, embrace them? This is a tough question. Most nonprofit leaders are the same Baby Boomers who are leading our country’s largest corporations. The generation gap is really more of a chasm and the echo is carrying over into our personal lives, consumer habits and charitable giving.

Just imagine, however, a generation that cannot remember a time before computers – a generation that expects everything to be at their fingertips, on-line and plugged in 24/7. These are the young people who we need to start courting as donors, volunteers and leaders.

Here are a few ideas to consider:

• Evaluate your web presence. If it’s stale, Millennials will see your organization as outdated.
• Look at your board structure. Use your committees to develop new talent and reward hard work and dedication.
• Reconsider your donor recognition program. Although these might not be your leading donors today, they can change the course of your organization if they become loyal donors now.

Generational differences impact our marketing, fundraising and programming but we all share one thing – a desire to make a difference. Given the chance, Millennials will do just that.

Kim Carpenter Drake is a trainer and consultant with CNM. She also runs her own consulting business and blog at www.goaldrivenphilanthropy.com.

On February 21, CNM organized a customized training in Jackson, TN. The training was presented by the Jackson Arts Council and the topic was “Developing & Implementing P.R. Plans for Nonprofits.” CNM Consultant and Katcher, Vaughn, and Bailey partner Aileen Katcher conducted the session. You can read about how it went in a post from Aileen on the company blog, by clicking here.

On March 5, CNM held a workshop entitled, New Media Strategies: Enhance Your Image, Identity, Impact. Dr. Sybril Bennett, the executive director and Assistant Professor of the Department of Media Studies at Belmont University conducted the class and has posted video from class participants on her blog, “The Multimedia Maven.” Click here to go to Dr. Bennett’s blog. Feel free to post your comments about the class below. Did you find it interesting? How is your organization utilizing new media strategies?