Advice for effective millennial outreach and engagement

September 4, 2014

Advice for effective millennial outreach and engagement

Millennials have moved from a generation of kids and teenagers to comprising the college population and working youth of America. As these young adults continue to enter the workforce, their impact will become more powerful. Nonprofit website service Wild Apricot said in a recent blog post that millennials aren't just influencing the culture of the country – and the world – they're driving and defining it. Nonprofits that can successfully attract millennials can reap significant benefits, so targeting outreach toward this group should be a priority in many instances. Here are a few pieces of advice for attracting members of this powerful group:

Focus on the people being helped, not the organization: Wild Apricot pointed out that millennials are far more interested in people and communities than institutions. Big names certainly still hold some cachet for millennials, but not in the same way that they did for previous generations. Charitable groups that want to bring in this demographic and engage them in both fundraising and volunteering efforts need to focus on the results of their programs and highlight the individuals that have been helped. This people-first approach is more likely to be in line with the feelings of the millennial generation.
Don't shy away from mobile: The smartphone addiction stereotype of millennials is likely overstated, but this generation feels comfortable using these devices, so a nonprofit should as well. Providing a mobile-responsive website isn't a particularly large or costly change, but it can improve the interactions that millennials have with a given organization. Providing these young adults with the methods of communication they prefer to learn more about your nonprofit is an important part of engagement.
Don't overlook volunteer efforts: Marketing blog Hubspot pointed out the propensity of millennials to want to offer their talents or skills to a nonprofit. While many of these young people are in the workforce, they don't have the decades of savings and earnings of older contributors. Getting millennials to share their skills or experience in lieu of money can lead to positive outcomes and keep the contributors engaged for the long term.

Content presented by First Nonprofit Group, the leading provider of state unemployment insurance solutions for 501(c)(3) nonprofit employers.

Testimonials

We first started using First Nonprofit’s Unemployment Savings Program when we were a small startup nonprofit. We didn’t have an HR department and needed expertise in the event that an unemployment claim was made. We knew we were eligible to be a reimbursing employer, but weren’t sure how to navigate that process. They made it easy to set things up, plan for, and then manage claims when they came at a very reasonable cost. The amount of time and stress they’ve saved us dealing with all this has been worth way more than the cost. We’ve now grown to a large nonprofit and do have an HR department but have no plans to stop using their services. I highly recommend them to every nonprofit I come into contact with!

CROSSPURPOSE, Denver, CO

Throughout our membership in the Unemployment Savings Program, First Nonprofit understood our demands, community dynamics, and the importance of seamless services; that allowed us to serve our constituents better.

Prevent Blindness America, Chicago, IL

Because INCS advocates for the operating conditions that allow charter public schools to provide high quality public education, partnering with First Nonprofit was an easy decision. First Nonprofit’s unemployment programs provide our member schools two operating elements crucial to their ability to provide high quality public education: savings and budget certainty. Capable, committed teachers are the key to student success. By participating in the unemployment insurance savings plan, charter public schools gain peace of mind and are able to invest more money in their teachers.

Illinois Network of Charter Schools, Chicago, IL

It has been our sincere pleasure to maintain a strong, vibrant business partnership with First Nonprofit. We greatly admire their strong industry knowledge, technical expertise, constant professionalism, knowledgeable and dedicated staff. They are always extremely responsive, personable and provide us with the necessary guidance and recommendations on a numerous variety of employment scenarios.

Thresholds, Chicago, IL

NYCON members who use First Nonprofit’s programs enjoy enduring savings and improved efficiency. Our association knows that success, because from the beginning, we achieved the same great benefits. Great savings, seamless technology, and responsive service. NYCON highly recommends First Nonprofit’s remarkable unemployment solutions.

New York Council of Nonprofits, Albany, NY

Visually Impaired Preschool Services has been a client of First Non-Profit since it was first offered as a benefit of VisionServe Alliance. We completed a thorough evaluation of cash savings to our agency before taking advantage of this wonderful benefit and it has been a very wise decision. Our experience with the processes from accounting to claims have been professional, expeditious and easy.

Visually Impaired Preschool Services, Louisville, KY

Luckily for us, our interactions regarding any issues with staffing has been very minimal! I can say that all other interactions with regards to billing, 941 reporting, etc. have been extremely pleasant, accommodating and easy to work with. Kim Ghanayem is always prompt, professional and friendly. Thank you so much!

Neurologic Music Therapy Services of Arizona, Phoenix, AZ

First Nonprofit has been easy to work with and makes the administrative process easier and smoother. We enjoy working with you.