Generation Y: Breaking Stereotypes by Raising Funds and Doing Good

Garcia refers to Living Philanthropic as his year-long mission to give to charity every day for a year, with each day documented on his blog. Garcia’s blog documents his charitable journey and, more importantly, informs others how they can join him.

“If I can inspire one donation, then I believe what I am doing is important," he said. "It's been successful in my opinion. So far $1,825 has been donated by my efforts, and the Living Philanthropic blog has inspired over $1,400 donated by subscribers.”

Social media has been a powerful force in spreading awareness to others. Garcia started a Facebook page and utilizes Twitter to notify his followers about the project. He also registered with Crowdrise, a community fundraising site, and is planning to feature a new charity each month.

“This way I can give my friends and followers a quick an easy place to contribute to the cause and be a part of the Living Philanthropic movement,” Garcia said.

Another couple of Generation Yers exhibiting Garcia’s type of do-it-yourself philanthropy is Michael Dice Jr. and Mark Hackman of Chicago Dance Crash. This year the pair put together a benefit show for The Laura Twirls Suicide Awareness Foundation in memory of former company member Laura Maceika. DiceWorks was made up of several short original sketches written by Dice and performed by more than 30 of some of Chicago’s most talented professional actors, musicians and dancers; Hackman handled the online/offline marketing and promotion efforts.

Dice and Hackmen used online networking to generate interest for their event. Each of the actors changed their profile pictures on Facebook to the poster design created for DiceWorks, thereby exposing more than 30 people on Facebook averaging more than 500 friends to the event poster. Each time a member of DiceWorks commented on someone’s status, uploaded a photo album or shared a link, his or her profile image was attached to the activity. Everywhere the cast members of the show went on Facebook, DiceWorks was with them.