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What happens when the generations represented around the fundraising table bring different experiences, expectations, communication styles, and ideas about philanthropy?
In this episode of Mastering Fundraising, host Chris Looney sits down with Yuri E. Casco, MPH, CFRE, Director of Major Gifts at Pacific Clinics, to explore intergenerational leadership and what it means for fundraisers, donors, boards, and nonprofit organizations.
The conversation comes at a fitting moment. On the day the episode was recorded, Yuri was celebrating exactly 25 years since she began her career in nonprofit fundraising.
Drawing from those 25 years of experience, Yuri offers a simple but important principle for working across generations: don't assume. Ask. Listen. Be curious.
Chris and Yuri explore:
• Why generational understanding should be a starting point, not a stereotype
• How curiosity and intentional listening help fundraisers understand the individual behind the donor
• Why fundraisers should test different communication channels rather than assume how a donor wants to engage
• How organizations can involve the next generation of a donor's family before a transition of wealth or leadership occurs
• Why nonprofit leaders can miss valuable talent when they make assumptions based on age or appearance
• The importance of recognizing everyone who influences a family's philanthropic decisions
• Why intergenerational relationships should involve mutual learning, not simply one generation teaching another
• What gives Yuri optimism about the next generation of fundraising professionals
One of the most important ideas from the conversation is that effective intergenerational leadership isn't about memorizing the characteristics of Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, or Gen Z. It is about understanding the person in front of you.
As Yuri reminds us, our donors, colleagues, board members, and community leaders bring their own lived experiences. The better we become at listening to those experiences rather than making assumptions about them, the better leaders and fundraisers we can become.
And as an unprecedented transfer of wealth and leadership continues across generations, that ability to build authentic relationships across age groups will only become more important.
Join Chris and Yuri for a thoughtful conversation about curiosity, inclusion, relationships, and how different generations can work together to strengthen the future of philanthropy.
Listen to this episode of Mastering Fundraising.
