​“Philanthropy” may sound like something reserved for wealthy, “mature” adults, but that’s not at all the case. At the Community Foundation, we work with individuals of every generation, from young adults to retirees and everyone in between.

Young adults in particular 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.

If you’re a parent or grandparent of young adults, or if you’re a young adult yourself, you’ll be glad to know that the Community Foundation can help. Here are three suggestions.

Make it a family affair.
The Community 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. For example, a multi-generational philanthropy can include donor-advised funds, legacy plans that include IRA beneficiary designations to establish an endowment, and strategic use of Qualified Charitable Distributions for family members who are 70 ½ or older.  

Make a point to start early.
Many young adults are establishing charitable giving practices early in their careers. For example, it’s not uncommon now for new hires to name a charity, such as a fund at the Community 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 for younger generations to support the causes they 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. The Community Foundation is happy to serve as a sounding board for ways to leverage this opportunity to make a difference.  

Make new connections.
The Community Foundation can help young people get connected with peer networks who share an interest in getting involved in the community. For example, our team is happy to serve as the back office for establishing what’s known as a “giving circle,” which is a type of fund that allows donors to pool resources with peers to make a bigger impact than they could achieve alone. Giving circles also provide an outstanding hands-on learning experience in philanthropy, especially because the Community Foundation provides education and resources about grantmaking, local needs, and nonprofit leadership.
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The Community Foundation is honored to serve as our region’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.

​Many people think of succession planning as something only relevant to businesses or nonprofits. However, it's equally important when considering the legacy you want to leave through philanthropy—including being intentional about what happens to your donor-advised fund at the Community Foundation after you're gone. The Community Foundation team can help structure provisions for your donor-advised fund to engage your family, tap the Community Foundation’s expertise, or a combination of both so that your donor-advised fund can become a multi-generational legacy that reflects your values.

Here are three considerations as you consider your “charitable succession plan”:

Leave a legacy
One of the most powerful ways to extend your impact is by leaving a portion of your estate to charity - such as by naming your donor-advised fund as a beneficiary of an IRA or other retirement account. This strategy delivers considerable tax advantages and enables your philanthropic dollars to be thoughtfully distributed in accordance with your values. Remember, IRAs left to the Community Foundation avoid not only the income tax that would hit your heirs, but also removes the assets from your taxable estate for estate tax purposes.

Lean on the Community Foundation
The Community Foundation is honored to serve as a trusted partner for many individuals and families. Our team can work with you and your advisors to enlist the Community Foundation’s expertise to make grants from your donor-advised fund according to your values and charitable intentions following your death. We can also work with you and your advisors to incorporate the ability for your children and grandchildren to serve as advisors to the donor-advised fund following your death, including taking advantage of the Community Foundation’s educational programs to help your children and grandchildren learn how to be effective philanthropists.

Capture your intentions
The Community Foundation team is happy to work with you to document and formalize your charitable wishes. We’ll help you articulate your priorities and outline how you envision your fund making a difference across generations, whether that means supporting specific organizations, issue areas, urgent community needs, or a combination of priorities. By helping you capture your intentions in writing and then following your wishes, the Community Foundation acts as a steward to safeguard your philanthropic goals and help ensure that the causes you care about continue to receive support for years to come.
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We look forward to talking about succession planning for your donor-advised fund. The Community Foundation is honored to help you secure your charitable legacy and involve your loved ones in meaningful giving. Thank you for the opportunity!