I always enjoy reading my Twitter friend Michael Rosen’s blog. His most recent post looks at the GIVING USA 2012 Annual Report on Philanthropy. Lots of goodies!

{BTW You can follow Michael Rosen on Twitter @MLInnovations and I tweet @Nmpatters.}

As for Millenials, you’re quite right that many are philanthropic. We know that, in 2011, 63 percent volunteered with a nonprofit, and 75 percent made a financial contribution. Those who are interested in learning more about Millenials should check-out The Millenial Impact Report (http://themillennialimpact.com/millennial-report). Philadelphia is in an interesting position because we have one of the nation’s largest concentrations of young adults in an urban area. This presents a great opportunity for area nonprofits.

I know that you understand what I’m about to say, but I just want to make sure none of my readers are confused on the point about religious individuals. While those who attend religious services tend to be more charitable as a group compared to those who do not attend, there are certainly significant exceptions to this when looking at specific individuals. When working with donors and prospective donors, we have to remember to treat folks like the individuals they are whenever possible. As you’ve learned, there are plenty of generous Agnostics and Atheists out there.

In some organizations I’ve worked with where there was a more “liberal” bent, it took some major reeducation to stop staff from derisively speaking about people of faith, for just that reason.

That said, it could be just the circles I run in and the way Philadelphia is–but a lot of Agnostic and Atheist young people are really putting time and money into charities. I found it very surprising, but the Millennial revolution in this city may be a bit of an outlier.