Gen Y become Gen We

Gen Y become Gen We

Generation Y are the givers not takers, according to a new report by Optus RockCorps.

According to the report, Gen Ys are the most giving of generations, as 67% are getting involved through grassroots volunteering.

See full release and infographic below:

04.03.14: The first ‘Optus RockCorps Generation We Not Me Report, released today – is a piece of annual research examining the motivations driving Australian Gen Ys to volunteer.

The report is released in conjunction with Optus RockCorps 2014, the global movement that rewards four hours of volunteer work with money-can’t-buy-tickets to see exclusive live concerts with some of the world’s biggest music acts.

While Australian Gen Ys historically get a bad rap, the findings in the report show they donate more than 16 million volunteer hours per month, valued at $260 million each month. Most volunteers (58%) have maintained or increased their volunteer work over the last year.

Jan Owen, CEO of the Foundation for Young Australians said, “Despite common misconceptions about their apathy, young people today are generous, passionate and socially-minded. They not only want to give back to society but, crucially, want to give back in a way that’s effective.” 

“Whether it’s starting a social enterprise or pursuing volunteering to further their career, young people are leading the biggest social change movement we've seen for decades. By identifying what motivates them to volunteer we can continue to support and inspire young people for years to come.”

Through research, case studies and interviews, the report unearthed five new distinct Gen Y volunteering tribes, and identifies changes to society, technology and culture that are creating a shift in the way these tribes contribute their time and money.

The Five Gen Y Volunteering Tribes – what motivates Gen Ys to give back and why?

Tribe 1. The RAWs (The Ready and Willing): Keen to literally get their hands dirty, RAWs don’t shy away from hard work.

·         67% of Gen Ys get involved through grassroots volunteering compared to 62% of Gen Xs and 64% of Baby Boomers.

·         The most popular volunteer places are community groups (37%), educational institutions (30%), charities or non-government groups (29%) and environmental organisations (22%).

Tribe 2. The New Philanthropists: This group is keen to donate to charity and has high expectations of what their money can achieve.

·         One in five young people (20%) regularly donate to charity, but the way they give and what they expect in return is changing.

·         Gen Y philanthropists are using crowdsourcing platforms to access capital and create new products and services that benefit the environment and society.

·         Even those from low income households dig deep, with 17% donating regularly and 39% occasionally.

Tribe 3. DIY Change-makers: If DIY change-makers don’t like something, they’ll use their ingenuity and technology to try and change it.

·      More social enterprises are starting to emerge as young people create jobs for change. This isn’t surprising given 46% of Gen Y volunteers feel strongly about helping a particular organisation.

·      It’s not about self-promotion either, only 3% of volunteers are looking to share the experience on social media.

Tribe 4. The Passions Pursuers: This group volunteer for causes they are passionate about.

·      53% are professionally motivated by giving something back and making a difference.

·      32% volunteer because it enhances their CV or career prospects and 31% volunteer to gain experience in a particular field.

·      Gen Ys are also independent thinkers, only 7% volunteer due to influence from their parents.

Tribe 5. The Loudspeakers: These Gen Ys aren’t afraid to speak up for what they believe in and align with organisations that empower them to do something different.

·      With access to fast and effective ways of communicating, Gen Ys can galvanise vast numbers of people quickly to campaign for change.

·      49% follow at least one not-for-profit organisation online and 65% receive emails and newsletters from non-profits

·      What’s more, 75% ‘like’, retweet or share non-profit content on social media, and 46% donate online.

Helen Maisano, Associate Director CSR at Optus said, ‘The ‘Optus RockCorps Generation We Not Me Report’ uncovers that Gen Ys are motivated to make a positive impact in our communities, but in different ways to in the past. From strategic corporate philanthropy and funds management, right down to the most grass roots of activities, these are the initiatives that inspire Gen Ys to make a real difference.

“Through the Optus RockCorps program we want to reach out to Gen Ys who have a willingness to help, but may not know where to start. We empower them to become the next ‘DIY change-makers’ or ‘Passion Pursuers’ of the future.”

This year’s Optus RockCorps concert, presented by Nokia will be held at Luna Park on March 12.

For more information visit www.OptusRockCorps.com.au




Please login with linkedin to comment

Latest News

Archibald Williams Wins NBA Digital, Activation & Fan Engagement Accounts For APAC
  • Media

Archibald Williams Wins NBA Digital, Activation & Fan Engagement Accounts For APAC

Independent brand and digital agency, Archibald Williams (AW) has been appointed to lead the NBA account across the APAC region. The NBA is one of the most prestigious sporting leagues in the world and basketball is one of the fastest-growing sports in Australia. Effective immediately, AW said it was “excited” to work across all digital, […]

QMS Champions Creativity As First Most Contagious APAC 2023 Sponsor
  • Advertising

QMS Champions Creativity As First Most Contagious APAC 2023 Sponsor

Leading digital outdoor company QMS has announced it is the first-ever inaugural partner for Most Contagious APAC, the landmark London event by creative and strategic intelligence company Contagious, which will be showcased in Australia on Tuesday, 12 December in Sydney and Wednesday, 13 December in Melbourne. Most Contagious is an event that delivers key advertising […]

OMG’s Annalect First To Get Meta’s Advanced Analytics
  • Technology

OMG’s Annalect First To Get Meta’s Advanced Analytics

Omnicom’s data and analytics division Annalect has partnered with Meta, giving it access to Advanced Analytics (AA) – one of Meta’s privacy-focused measurement solutions – to provide Omnicom’s clients with future-proof, next-level measurement. Omnicom is the first holding company to have access to AA. AA allows advertisers to combine their first-party data with Meta’s ads […]

AKQA Launches Eco-Conscious AI DIY Assistant Encouraging People To Gift More Sustainably
  • Technology

AKQA Launches Eco-Conscious AI DIY Assistant Encouraging People To Gift More Sustainably

WPP’s AKQA has launched Fixmas.gift, an environmentally conscious AI-powered DIY assistant, affectionately known as Fixie, for a one-stop solution for all things repair. Fixmas.gift hosts an array of guides and inspiration to empower people to prolong the lives of their belongings or purchase pre-owned items that need a little love and care. Fixie can: Help […]

Marc Collister: AI & Automation Set To Revolutionise Creativity In 2024
  • Opinion

Marc Collister: AI & Automation Set To Revolutionise Creativity In 2024

Marc Collister (pictured) of P2 Content Creators spills the beans on his 2024 predictions drawing from two decades of experience in the advertising, film and television industry. I’m certain it will come as no surprise that in 2024, we can expect our industry to move at breakneck speed again. With even more rapid shifts in […]

Opinion

by B&T Magazine

B&T Magazine
Zeno Group Australia Bolsters Client Offerings With An Expanded Creative Services Portfolio & New Senior Leader
  • Marketing

Zeno Group Australia Bolsters Client Offerings With An Expanded Creative Services Portfolio & New Senior Leader

Zeno Australia has announced expanded creative design capabilities and the appointment of Jim Michell (lead image) to its senior leadership team. The new moves support strong growth in the region. Zeno Australia’s clients, including Abano Healthcare, Motorola and Yorkshire Tea, can now tap into a suite of creative design services to augment the agency’s work […]

Assembled Media Inks TikTok Creator Campaign for BIC
  • Campaigns

Assembled Media Inks TikTok Creator Campaign for BIC

Assembled Media, is drawing upon the creative power of TikTok Creator Marketplace to help generate unique, impactful content for iconic stationery brand, BIC. The social activation campaign titled ‘A Pen for Every Side of You’ promotes the flexibility of BIC’s 4 Colours pen and is active nationwide on the BIC Stationery TikTok account. The campaign […]

Big data and analytics visualization technology with scientist analyzing information structure on screen with machine learning to extract predictions for business, finance, internet of things
  • Media

IAB Launches Fourth Module In Its Marketing Measurement Innovation Series

IAB Australia has launched ‘Evolution in Market Mix Modelling’, the fourth module in its Marketing Measurement Innovation Series, which has been developed by IAB Australia’s Ad Effectiveness Council. The module explores what is driving the increased use of MMM and how the technique is evolving with advances in computing power and machine learning to provide […]

Aerial view of a coal fired power station with large cooling towers emitting co2 into the atmosphere. With its lights already turned on the power station is illuminated in moody twilight.
  • Media

Scope3 Expands Carbon Measurement Capabilities To Include DOOH Advertising

Scope3, the collaborative sustainability platform leading the decarbonisation of media and advertising,  announced the addition of digital out-of-home (DOOH) to its emissions measurement. With DOOH ad spending predicted to grow from $17B in 2023 to nearly $24B by 2028, measuring this channel brings us one step closer to understanding the total impact of digital advertising […]

January 14, 2023 - New York, New York, USA: 2023 NRF Big Show press conference with Composition 2024 NRF Singapore.    Photo by Ian Wagreich / © Ian Wagreich Photography
  • Marketing

Now Open For Registration – NRF 2024: Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific

NRF 2024: Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific, is now open for online registrations for the main conference. Jointly organized by the National Retail Federation and Comexposium, Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific will take place from 11 – 13 June, 2024 at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore and is expected to draw thousands […]