There's a New Generation and They're Called "Generation G"

Trendwatching recently came out with a report titled "Generation G: That would be G for 'Generosity,' not Greed." The premise of this report is that "Giving is the new taking" and "sharing is the new giving." Giving is growing as a national mindset which dovetails nicely with our newfound social media skills of giving, sharing, engaging and collaborating.

Some reasons cited in the report for the shift in thinking and acting is the recession and consumer disgust over the current financial meltdown. Consumers want to identify institutions that care. And while the report is geared toward the commercial business and how to tap into this shift, nonprofits are poised to benefit greatly even during bad economic times.

Today's individual is empowered by communications, publishing, sharing and engagement tools like never before. Whether they are creating Facebook Causes and inviting their 100+ friends to join them in supporting a cause (including soliciting donations in some cases) or extolling the virtues of their favorite nonprofit to their 1000s of Twitter followers, social media is the fan on the fires of giving and peer influence to join in.

Read more about Trendwatches report here and view a slideshow about Generosity as the Future of Marketing.

How are you tapping into this generous state of mind to benefit your nonprofit or cause? Or are you not even in the social mediasphere yet to connect with individuals with the interest and wherewithall to give?