Using every generation’s superpower to save the nonprofit universe
Nonprofits are often seen as everyday heroes. They save lives, advocate for change and step in when no one else can. But for those of us who have had a peek behind the curtain, their work isn’t always that cinematic… particularly when it comes to a board of directors. The Envision team has seen first hand these clashes of titans, many of which are the result of generational divides. Board members often have a deep passion for the mission but vastly different ideas of how to achieve it…like the time a strategy session derailed when one member suggested a five-year TikTok plan while another proudly shared they’d just figured out how to unmute on Zoom. Our recommendation? Don’t let those differences become your kryptonite. Embrace the unique strengths each member brings to the table and harness those collective superpowers to help your board soar.
Baby Boomers: The Wise Mentor
Boomers hold the organization’s institutional memory. Wise, loyal, and seasoned from years of leadership, they know the history, the people, and what’s worked (and failed) before. Rather than dismissing them as the “old guard,” highlight how their stability and experience ground the innovation of younger members. They may lack digital fluency, but their respect for tradition can serve as a powerful anchor when change is approached thoughtfully.
How to Channel their Powers:
- Appoint them as mentors or advisors to newer members and committees.
- Use their network to strengthen donor relations and community ties.
- Tap into their Rolodex superpower: they know the donors, the movers, the shakers.
Generation X: The Master Strategist
Gen Xers are the bridge between eras by being pragmatic, self-reliant, and quietly keeping things running. Having come of age through analog-to-digital shifts, they balance tradition with adaptability and thrive on efficiency and autonomy. Often overlooked between louder generations, they’re the stabilizers and strategists who translate vision into reality. When trusted with flexibility and recognized for their steady leadership, they anchor progress with practical wisdom.
How to Channel their Powers:
- Let them lead cross-generational initiatives; they’re natural diplomats.
- Recognize their contributions publicly.
- Give them autonomous projects with clear and objective goals.
Millennials: The Passionate Visionary
Millennials infuse organizations with purpose, creativity, and digital fluency. As the first generation to grow up alongside rapid tech change, they instinctively navigate systems, tools, and platforms. Collaborative and authenticity-driven, they lose interest in rigid or outdated structures. Empower them to innovate, co-lead, and see tangible results, their comfort with technology and passion for purpose turn vision into forward motion.
How to Channel Their Powers:
- Invite collaboration and co-leadership opportunities, they thrive in diverse, idea-rich teams.
- Connect their contributions directly to real-world outcomes.
- Let them innovate: digital campaigns, social media strategy, or new fundraising methods.
Generation Z: The Fearless Disruptor
The first generation raised with the internet at their fingertips, Gen Zers are bold, future-focused, and innately connected. With lifelong access to knowledge, global communities, and diverse voices, they move fluidly across platforms and perspectives, bringing sharp digital instincts and cultural fluency to every challenge. They question systems not to disrupt, but to improve them, and their transparency reflects a desire for honesty and progress. When given real responsibility and trust, their curiosity and creativity propel organizations toward innovation, inclusion, and the future.
How to Channel Their Powers:
- Give them a real seat at the table, not a token one.
- Tap into their creativity and cause-driven storytelling, they know how to reach new audiences.
- Empower them to share their perspective on the future of philanthropy.
LOOKING FOR MORE INSIGHT? WE CAN HELP!
Board Builders
Build a stronger, more effective board with Envision’s help. Our team provides hands-on support to recruit new members, foster engagement, and facilitate monthly meetings that enhance governance, alignment, and impact.
Predictive Index
Empower your leadership with insight with this behavioral assessment. PI reveals each team member’s unique strengths, helping you understand how to lead, motivate, and communicate for greater alignment and performance.
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