In our previous blog post, we discussed how millennials are changing the face of philanthropy and how they are impacting the nonprofit industry. And now that we’ve recognized how they’re shifting the industry as we know it, we want to talk about how to reach and connect with this generation.

There’s a lot of hype surrounding major gift donors. They are the ones who financially support your mission and whose contributions make a huge impact and we put a lot of emphasis on acquiring them and nurturing those relationships.

We’re not talking about just any old “thing,” we’re talking about the Internet of Things. From smartphones to smart refrigerators, the Internet of Things is making it possible for us to use connected devices to collect, share and utilize data. We’re thinking voice assistants, like Alexa and Siri that can tell you what the weather is, what the best Italian restaurant in your city is, and how much longer your cupcakes need to bake for. Today’s homes are even getting smarter and smarter. From smart thermostats that help people be more energy efficient, smart refrigerators that let you know when your produce is going bad and how much milk you have left (yes, this is a thing), and smart lightbulbs that automatically adjust based on the time of day.

As your nonprofit plans its next fundraising campaign, take some time to evaluate your social media strategy. Whether you’re well-established across several platforms or making your first forays into the world of social media, it’s worthwhile to consider how your organization could better utilize sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

With Thanksgiving coming up next week, now is the time when so many people start to think about everything that they're thankful for. Family, friends, a great job, a roof over your head, food in the fridge, etc. And if you work for a nonprofit, we know that you are extremely thankful for your donors because, without them, you wouldn't be able to do the work you do to change your community and the world.