Learn how to attract and retain retirees in your philanthropic efforts with these tips on offering flexible and meaningful opportunities, providing recognition and feedback, building relationships and community, respecting and empowering them, and sh

To attract them, align your initiatives with their interests and past professional expertise. Offer flexible, meaningful roles that leverage their skills and provide a sense of purpose and community. Acknowledge their contributions and create opportunities for social interaction, ensuring they feel valued and part of a larger mission. This approach not only utilizes their expertise but also enriches your philanthropic endeavors.

How can you engage retirees in your philanthropic efforts?

Retirees are a valuable resource for philanthropic efforts. They have time, skills, experience, and often financial means to contribute to social causes. However, engaging them can be challenging, as they may have different preferences, motivations, and expectations than younger donors and volunteers. How can you attract and retain retirees in your philanthropic efforts? Here are some tips to consider.

1 Offer flexible and meaningful opportunities

Retirees may not want to commit to a fixed schedule or a long-term project. They may prefer to have more control over their time and choose activities that suit their interests and abilities. Therefore, it is important to offer flexible and meaningful opportunities for them to get involved. For example, you can create a pool of short-term or ad hoc tasks that retirees can sign up for online, such as mentoring, tutoring, writing, researching, or consulting. You can also design projects that tap into their expertise and passions, such as creating a history book, organizing a fundraising event, or leading a workshop.

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Sanjay Roye AVSM VSM

Rear Admiral | Veteran | Independent Director | NED | Board Advisor | Fellow - IOD | Executive Leadership | Social Impact | ESG | Sustainability | Author | Aerospace, Defence & Maritime | Pioneer Nuclear Submariner
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This is something that every retiree wants to be a part of - of giving back to the society. Most, are no longer looking for successes and rewards in the material terms, but rather feel great partaking of their wisdom, experience and skills. Approach them with your ideas, and watch them germinate it into a flowing field.

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2 Provide recognition and feedback

Retirees may not seek recognition or feedback for their philanthropic work, but they still appreciate it. They want to know that their contributions are valued and make a difference. Therefore, it is important to provide recognition and feedback for their work. For example, you can send them thank-you notes, certificates, or tokens of appreciation. You can also share stories and testimonials of how their work has impacted the beneficiaries or the organization. You can also invite them to events, meetings, or celebrations where they can meet other staff, volunteers, and donors.

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Sanjay Roye AVSM VSM

Rear Admiral | Veteran | Independent Director | NED | Board Advisor | Fellow - IOD | Executive Leadership | Social Impact | ESG | Sustainability | Author | Aerospace, Defence & Maritime | Pioneer Nuclear Submariner
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In my experience, all they need is a short introduction of their enormous experience and roles. Sometimes, it helps to create honorary positions to commemorate them.

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3 Build relationships and community

Retirees may want to connect with others who share their values and vision. They may also want to learn from and support each other. Therefore, it is important to build relationships and community among them. For example, you can create a newsletter, a blog, or a social media group where they can stay updated, share information, and exchange ideas. You can also organize social or educational activities where they can network, have fun, and learn new skills. You can also facilitate peer mentoring or coaching where they can offer or receive guidance and advice.

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4 Respect and empower them

Retirees may have high standards and expectations for themselves and the organizations they work with. They may also have strong opinions and suggestions on how to improve the work. Therefore, it is important to respect and empower them. For example, you can listen to their feedback, acknowledge their concerns, and address their issues. You can also involve them in decision-making, planning, or evaluation processes. You can also encourage them to take on leadership roles, initiate new projects, or advocate for the cause.

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5 Show the impact and the need

Retirees may want to see the impact and the need of their philanthropic work. They may want to know how their work aligns with the mission and the goals of the organization. They may also want to know how their work responds to the current and emerging needs of the community. Therefore, it is important to show the impact and the need of their work. For example, you can provide data, reports, or stories that demonstrate the outcomes and the challenges of the work. You can also invite them to visit the sites, meet the beneficiaries, or participate in the advocacy campaigns.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Sanjay Roye AVSM VSM

Rear Admiral | Veteran | Independent Director | NED | Board Advisor | Fellow - IOD | Executive Leadership | Social Impact | ESG | Sustainability | Author | Aerospace, Defence & Maritime | Pioneer Nuclear Submariner
Report contribution
To attract them, align your initiatives with their interests and past professional expertise. Offer flexible, meaningful roles that leverage their skills and provide a sense of purpose and community. Acknowledge their contributions and create opportunities for social interaction, ensuring they feel valued and part of a larger mission. This approach not only utilizes their expertise but also enriches your philanthropic endeavors.

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How can you engage retirees in your philanthropic efforts?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Offer flexible and meaningful opportunities

2 Provide recognition and feedback

3 Build relationships and community

4 Respect and empower them

5 Show the impact and the need

6 Here’s what else to consider

Philanthropy

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How can you engage retirees in your philanthropic efforts?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Offer flexible and meaningful opportunities

2 Provide recognition and feedback

3 Build relationships and community

4 Respect and empower them

5 Show the impact and the need

6 Here’s what else to consider

Philanthropy

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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