Millennials Outpace Gen X in Giving--But There’s More to the Story
A recent Chronicle of Philanthropy article highlights an important trend: Millennials are giving more than Gen Xers. According to data from Giving USA and Dunham+Company, millennials donated an average of $1,617 in 2024, while Gen X donors gave $1,371—a notable 18% gap.
The numbers matter, but they don’t tell the whole story.
As a Gen Xer myself, I’m not surprised that we’re giving a bit less. It’s not about generosity or intention; it’s about context. We’re in what many have called the “sandwich generation,” and it feels increasingly true.
My kids are still in elementary school—an age where parenting isn’t just a financial commitment, but a hands-on, daily emotional investment. At the same time, I’m emotionally supporting my mom and in-laws as they age. Not financially at all. And they are all so wonderfully independent and healthy, there is an emotional bandwidth loving older parents takes up.
Then there’s the issue of retirement. I know peers my age who didn’t start saving early enough. (and a HUGE thanks to Mom and Dad for helping me understand this when I was a young professional). Some underestimated how fast time moves; others didn’t fully grasp the power of compounding returns and the time value of money. And now, there’s worry—quiet, growing concern about whether their savings will be enough. That worry affects giving decisions.
It’s not that Gen X is less charitable. It’s that our capacity is stretched across multiple fronts. We’re contributing—often informally—through caregiving, education expenses, and helping family navigate life’s transitions. These contributions don’t always show up in reports, but they’re real.
Meanwhile, millennials may be hitting their giving stride for several reasons. Many are in dual-income households, possibly with fewer dependents. And there’s growing data showing they prioritize charitable giving as part of their identity and financial planning. The same study found that millennials are also engaging more in religious life than Gen Xers or boomers—a factor often tied to more consistent giving.
So yes, millennials are giving more—and that’s something to celebrate. But as we interpret this data, we should also acknowledge the generational dynamics that affect giving capacity.
For those of us in Gen X, it may be time to look for more structured ways to prioritize philanthropy in our financial lives, even if it’s modest. And for organizations seeking support, understanding the life-stage pressures of Gen X can lead to more meaningful engagement.
In the end, generosity looks different across generations—not better or worse, just different.
