By Amber Alarid, JVA Consulting

The millenial generation, encompassing people born between the early 1980s and the early 2000s, is making its mark on the social change sector—entering the nonprofit workforce, joining nonprofit boards and donating to its favorite causes. Many are keeping an eye on this influential population and forward-looking social change leaders are looking for ways to engage these socially conscious young people. As a millennial myself, I am especially intrigued by conversations that bring both nonprofit leaders and millenials to the table—shaping the future of fundraising.

In her book, Cause for Change: The Why and How of Nonprofit Millenial Engagement, Kari Dunn Saratovsky and her coauthor Derrick Feldmann take a deeper look at how “millennial values are driving organizational and cultural change.” In addition to key observations about this large population of up and comers, the book offers an action-based rubric developed by the authors to help organizations create the “infrastructure for a long-term millennial engagement strategy.” The book is intended to spur organizations to create their own comprehensive millenial engagement plan by answering questions about their organization and its goals.

Because millenials now outnumber their boomer parents and have grown up in an ever changing, “24/7, technology driven” age, Saratovsky believes it’s important for the world to take notice of the unique trends associated with millenials. While Saratovsky admits that there is no “magic, silver bullet to engage a generation of 80 million,” acknowledging commonalities among millenials will help to better reach this target audience.

Though close in age, Saratovsky advises that nonprofit leaders take notice of the differences between millenials and their Generation X counterparts—namely the career choices they make. While Generation X is typically known for its emphasis on work-life-balance, millenials are known for their work-life-blending lifestyle approach, which utilizes their “9-5 jobs as an extension” of their commitment to social and community change.

Where other generations have formed loyalties to particular organizations, millenials are most loyal to causes near and dear to their heart, meaning that organizations dedicated to maintaining and growing their millenial donor base must focus now more than ever on articulating their mission and impact.

I was fortunate to have a chance to speak directly with Saratovsky, and I asked her what advice she would give to millenials and those who want to involve them with a particular cause. In her response, Saratovsky stressed the importance of keeping an open mind. By appreciating the value each generation brings to the table, changemakers can work together to leverage the collective strengths of board members, donors and nonprofit staff to move the cause forward.

What tips do you have to engage millenials in the social sector?