Soapbox Engage Blog

Gen Z is the largest and most diverse generation in U.S. history. Born between 1995 and 2010, Gen Z makes up 27% of the U.S. population. And this large group of people is now developing their giving practices. Gen Z are different from the Millenials, Gen X, and Boomer donors you may already be used to engaging with.

If you want to reach Gen Z and have them contribute to your cause, you need to be tailoring your fundraising to them. Don’t just repeat what you’ve already been doing for their elders.

On that note, here are 3 ways your nonprofit organization can engage Gen Z!

3 Ways for Nonprofits to Engage Gen Z

1. Meet Them Where They Are
2. Tell a Story that Speaks to Their Values
3. Invite Them to Participate

1. Meet Them Where They Are

You already knew you needed to move away from primarily print communications for the millennials…that is even more true for Gen Z! They are truly “digital natives,” born and raised in the digital culture that might be foreign to your older donors. So it’s important you meet them in the spaces they actually are in.

Gen Z does research before supporting a cause. But they are likely to do that research online, specifically on social media channels. So make sure you have something for them to find!

The most popular social media channels will change, so you need to stay up to date on what’s popular. Right now, the current top three social media platforms used by Gen Z are:

• YouTube
• Instagram
• TikTok

Gen Z is likely to check out social media pages before donating to a cause, so make sure yours are up to date, even if you focus on crafting content in one channel over another. And the Soapbox Engage Donations App is mobile-friendly, making it simple for Gen Z donors to click and donate on the same cell phone they use to scroll through your TikToks.

2. Tell a Story that Speaks to Their Values

Storytelling is an incredibly important part of fundraising. And it is especially important to Gen Z 53% of Gen Z donors are likely to repeat a donation for a cause they feel passionate about. That means, they need to be able to see the narrative of how their donation has an impact on the community. Sharing about the people you are impacting and the narrative behind your campaign will help Gen Z connect to your cause.

Furthermore, like all generations, they are motivated to give to an organization based on their values. The values they hold close to their heart are transparency, authenticity, and political leanings. So be honest about what your organization is doing, why you’re doing it, and the impact that your mission can have on the world. And the members of Gen Z who care about your cause will definitely be moved to donate!

3. Invite Them to Participate

Gen Z may not make up the largest portion of your financial donations, but donating themselves isn’t the only way to support fundraising or your cause. 79% of Gen Z donors are likely to donate to a friend, coworker, or family member. This makes them the ideal candidates for peer to peer fundraising!

Gen Z likes to get active. They are six times as likely as Baby Boomers to support a cause through advocacy. So invite them to volunteer! Host an engaging event in your community to help them learn about you, and then invite them to join in. The Soapbox Engage Forms App makes it incredibly easy to collect volunteer sign ups. Let them actually be ambassadors of your cause, working alongside you to bring your mission to fruition. That way, you’re not just getting Gen Z donors, but people who will be actively committed to your cause for years to come.

With these tips, you’ll be able to connect with Gen Z and ensure your organization has a supportive community until your mission is achieved!

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Looking for more fundraising tips? Here are some resources to help you out:

• Introducing Soapbox Engage Donation Modals: Donations Modals are a new, straightforward way to collect gifts from your supporters. This blog post breaks down the features and how it can help.


• 4 Ways Donation Transparency Increases Fundraising Success: Whether they’re Gen X or Gen Z, it’s important that your donors are very clear about where their money is going! This blog post shares four ways donation transparency can make your fundraising more successful.


• Surefire Ways To Improve Your Nonprofit Storytelling: Great storytelling is essential to connecting with Gen Z. Whether you are communicating about your finances or updating supporters on your latest project, stories help communicate complicated information and help people connect personally. Here are some practical ways to become a better storyteller.