9 minute read
GEN Z AND CLIMATE CHANGE
GEN Z HAS THE WILL TO FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE. BUT WILL THEY DO IT?
It’s time for younger donors to address climate concerns with impactful philanthropy
JOHN BROMLEY
It’s no secret that climate change is a top priority for Gen Z, and that Canadians born between 1996 and 2012 are fighting it by donating their time, effort and money. Time, talent and treasure, as we charity nerds like to say. In a 2020 Deloitte survey, for instance, 55 percent of Gen Z respondents – more than any other age group – reported taking extra time to use public transportation, and to bike and walk more often, to reduce their personal greenhouse gas emissions. Gen Z volunteer efforts are similarly skewed towards environmental causes.
Another form of giving involves money, and there are many charities whose programs fight climate change. Here, Gen Z needs to step up like previous generations never did.
According to a 2021 Ipsos poll, Canadians aged 18 to 34 were the most likely age group to say they would spend an extra $100 per year to help fight climate change. Trouble is, charity data shows that most Gen Zers are not actually taking this step. No wonder three-quarters of Gen Z respondents to the Deloitte survey said they believe the world is at a tipping point, but less than half are optimistic that efforts to protect the planet will be successful. This cynical attitude is partly rooted in the general lack of understanding and confidence among Gen Zers around how to give meaningfully and impactfully. This is a problem older generations can relate to.
TIME FOR GEN Z TO LEAD THE WAY
Gen Z represents the first wave of digital natives who have little or no memory of a time when cell phones weren’t ubiquitous. When it comes to charitable donations, it should come as no surprise that they are focused on tech-forward outreach methods and mobile giving. At the same time, because Gen Zers have spent their entire lives hearing that the planet is doomed, they are more interested in learning about solutions to the problem than about the problem itself.
That’s why donor-advised funds (DAFs) are ideal for engaging Gen Zers and enabling them to act more confidently and impactfully on their generosity. By offering digital cause-neutral platforms that allow donors to add assets to accounts, realize immediate tax benefits and then disperse assets when they choose, DAFs suit Gen Z to a T – allowing them the confidence to allocate money and take responsibility for their decisions.
DAFs used to be exclusively for high-wealth philanthropists. Now, with more progressive DAFs like Charitable Impact accepting donations of as little as $5, there are avenues for anyone and everyone to create change on their own scale and at their own pace, and in the process, become better donors.
Gen Zers are aware of and anxious about climate change. They are analytical and know how to use digital tools to learn, conduct research and interact with others. They show a willingness to give. Now it’s time for them to take DAF-based tools and support built specifically for them, and start exploring how to make the most impact with their generosity. And when they do that, they will go on to lead the charge in protecting our planet.
And I’ll bet older generations will follow.
John Bromley is CEO of Charitable Impact.
Endowment funds: create your philanthropic legacy
Make a lasting impact on your favourite charities and causes with a fund at Vancouver Foundation
WHAT WE DO
Our lives are made richer by the people who work, live, and play alongside us. When we have the chance to contribute to our communities, whether emotionally or financially, it’s a gift to ourselves as well.
There’s no better way to give back than with an endowment through Vancouver Foundation. Endowment funds are the ideal way to grow funds for charity. Donations are pooled and invested; the investment income is then gifted to grassroots and charitable organizations. Vancouver Foundation takes a unique approach to charitable giving: it’s incredibly flexible, allowing you to give back to your community in a plethora of ways, and yet securely structured, so you can feel assured every dollar is being used in the very best way possible.
With tried-and-true investment vehicles and community expertise, Vancouver Foundation offers the opportunity to achieve the maximum impact for your charitable giving, in a way that’s meaningful and rewarding for you. Whatever your project or cause of choice, endowment funds make it possible to give back to the community today, while also funding charitable work in the future — immediate impact meets legacy-building. With a gift of $10,000 (or $1,000 to start), funds can be customized to your personal giving goals. You may wish to support a favourite cause, memorialize a loved one, establish a scholarship, or encourage a family legacy through giving. Or, perhaps you’re interested in providing community support, either long-term or short-term: your goals of giving back are easily within reach with an endowment.
An endowment fund is far simpler to set up than a private foundation, and its connections to community and financial professionals mean that the organization can maximize the impact of every dollar. In many ways, it’s like having your own family foundation, without expenses and administration. No wonder, then, that thousands of donors have trusted Vancouver Foundation to help them make a positive impact on their communities. Without the pressure of book-keeping and paperwork, you can focus on what matters most: giving.
Setting up an endowment fund just takes a few decisions. Vancouver Foundation will then handle the paperwork, and the issuing of grants. First, you’ll need to decide when you would like your fund to start. Would you like to establish something immediately, so that you can start giving grants right away? Or, would you prefer to build your fund over time? Once you’ve decided when to create the fund, you’ll need to identify which type of fund you’d prefer to operate. The most popular way to give with Vancouver Foundation is through Donor Advised Funds. Much like a private foundation, these funds allow you to recommend grants to any charity in Canada. (You’ll also receive donation tax receipts in the process.)
Choose a focus area — such as housing, arts and culture, or the environment — or a specific registered Canadian charity. Your work here is done and you can rest assured that your donations are in skilled hands; through careful investment the fund earns income that in turn feeds future giving.
With an endowment fund, you can create lasting support for the charities in your community that mean the most to you — and with Vancouver Foundation, you can make sure every last dollar counts.
Coming together during our worst disaster
WHAT WE DO
In the Winter of 2021, British Columbia declared a state of emergency as the Lower Mainland experienced the worst flooding to hit the region in a century. Floods and landslides cut off major transportation routes and entire communities were under water. People lost their homes, businesses were destroyed, and the disruption in transportation limited the number of essential supplies that were available. In Indigenous communities, support was desperately needed as many of the villages were cut off completely from all forms of help.
The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services responded swiftly and were on the scene in six of the hardest-hit communities, feeding and hydrating first responders and evacuees, while also providing shelter, blankets, jackets and much-needed spiritual care. Thanks to your generous support they were able to quickly raise over $1.8 million to use towards urgent and long-term recovery efforts.
Immediately funds were used to provide relief: food security, evacuation supplies, and temporary shelters. As The Salvation Army stayed on the scene in communities dealing with recovery and restoration money was put towards construction, equipment and labour, and continued support with food security.
Neighboring communities supporting evacuees such as Kamloops and Kelowna stepped up with everything from food security, to clothing, to Christmas gifts for those who were displaced into the holiday season.
Farms in areas of Chilliwack were badly flooded, leaving many people without basic necessities including food and baby supplies. Stepping into this gap to provide support, Salvation Army volunteer Lindsay Armstrong helped organize food deliveries in these hard-hit areas—even delivering by boat where necessary. “We saw a desperate need,” she says. “A lot of people lost everything.”
The Salvation Army cannot thank supporters enough for putting their trust in them to manage their donations responsibly and efficiently. Thank you everyone who contributed and supported individuals and families during this very difficult time.
The Salvation Army is an international Christian organization that began its work in Canada in 1882. Outside of the government, they are the largest direct provider of social services in the country.
If you would like to learn more about the programs and services that feed, clothe and shelter vulnerable people every day, while helping others escape violence and addiction please visit salvationarmy.ca
Help animals like Bailey find a loving new life
WHAT WE DO Forever Guardians support a more humane, safe and caring future for animals in BC
What does it mean to be a BC SPCA Forever Guardian? It means that you have lasting impact on the lives of animals in immediate need of care while also supporting the future of animal welfare.
That includes saving animals like Bailey. Bailey is a loving mom to 5 beautiful puppies. Not long ago Bailey and her pups were struggling to survive. Dirty floors… cramped living space…not enough food… Bailey was losing weight fast as she gave all of her nutrition to her nursing pups. On top of that, Bailey had inverted eyelids on both of her eyes. As she worked to care for her sweet babies, she could hardly see to know that they were okay.
But her pain didn’t last long, thanks to the kindness and love of Forever Guardians and other supportive animal
lovers. Once she and her pups arrived in our care, Bailey had two surgeries to treat abscesses on her swollen feet. She also received surgery to fix her inverted eyelids, so she can now see more clearly and without pain.
Every step of the way in Bailey’s recovery, Forever Guardians were there. From the moment her and her pups first arrived in our care, needing immediate food, shelter, and grooming, to the surgeries that removed her ongoing pain, to the ongoing care she received in order to transition to a loving new life in a caring home.
Forever Guardians give this care to animals today and long into the future. To learn more about joining this caring group of supporters with a kind gift in your will, visit foreverguardian. ca or contact Clayton Norbury at cnorbury@spca.bc.ca or by phone at 1.855.622.7722, ext. 6059.
Your everlasting love will Y always protect them. .
