Gen Z Philanthropy Outpaces That of Other Adults, New Data Shows

GoFundMe and the GivingTuesday Data Commons announced new research that highlights a critical shift – and opportunity – for nonprofits: Gen Z already participates in philanthropy at higher rates than other adults, with a distinct strength in giving rooted in personal relationships and social connections. They are supporting causes through sharing, donating, advocating, and community fundraising, often in visible, digital formats that inspire their peers to give as well.

The findings show that these behaviors are not a departure from nonprofit support, but an entry point, with network-driven giving and community-powered fundraising platforms like GoFundMe acting as on-ramps that help convert participation into ongoing charitable support. The new research challenges common narratives that Gen Z cares loudly but gives sparingly to nonprofits.

Among the report’s key findings:

• Gen Z gives in more ways, and more often, than other adults. Upwards of 70% of Gen Z reported some form of giving in the past week, as compared with 65% of other adults. They were also more likely to give money despite being more likely to have lower incomes, be students, or be unemployed, given their life stage.
• This generation’s giving is distinctly personal and relational. Gen Z stands furthest ahead of other adults in advocacy, giving directly to individuals, informal giving, and volunteering. They give where the need feels personal, immediate, and human.
• Their trust is increasingly built through immediate networks. Nearly 60% of Gen Z supporters say family or others shape their giving decisions, compared with nearly 45% of other adults. Community fundraising is uniquely positioned to meet this moment, serving as a natural entry point into giving and a key pathway to nonprofit support.
• Sharing is a force multiplier for generosity. Gen Z is more likely than other adults to publicly support and advocate for community groups, nonprofits, and independent efforts. By making their support visible, they not only inspire others to see, join, and amplify that giving, but also help increase funds raised.
• Community-powered fundraising platforms are on-ramps to nonprofit giving. Gen Z users of online fundraising platforms like GoFundMe are more likely to give to registered nonprofits than their peers who don’t use those platforms. For this generation, community fundraising and peer-driven giving are often the first step into broader philanthropic participation. Rather than diverting support away from nonprofits, platforms like GoFundMe appear to expand participation in charitable giving overall.

“Gen Z is showing us that generosity does not begin with financial capacity alone,” said Tim Cadogan, CEO of GoFundMe. “It begins with participation, trust, relationships, and a willingness to make support visible. These findings reinforce that Gen Z is not a future donor segment. They are already reshaping giving today: socially, publicly, and online. That creates a clear call to action for nonprofits: build for the ways Gen Z already engages by making it easier to share causes, rally communities, fundraise, and give in digital spaces. The nonprofits that embrace these behaviors now will be the ones that turn Gen Z participation into long-term support and growth.”

“What this research reveals is that giving is increasingly community based, and Gen Z understands that instinctively. They give in ways that are visible, relational, and multidimensional,” said Asha Curran, CEO of GivingTuesday. “They’re not ‘future’ donors or leaders – they’re contributing and shaping the culture of generosity right now. Our job is to meet them where they are and build the structures and support that honor what they’re already doing, because that is how a generosity movement grows.”

Together, the findings paint a picture of a generation that already has outsized influence on how giving spreads, scales, and compounds over time.

The analysis is based on GivingTuesday’s GivingPulse surveys, a weekly tracking study conducted by the GivingTuesday Data Commons, with insights and implications developed in collaboration with GoFundMe. The report examines giving behaviors among adults ages 18 to 29 compared with adults ages 30 to 85, based on data collected between January 1, 2025 and January 11, 2026 from a total sample of 10,411 U.S. respondents.

Access the Gen Z giving report here.

Source: GoFundMe

The preceding press release was provided by a company unaffiliated with NonProfit PRO. The views expressed within may not directly reflect the thoughts or opinions of the staff of NonProfit PRO.