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In a world growing increasingly connected yet divided by wealth and opportunity, understanding how different groups give back can unlock powerful avenues for impact.

Philanthropy today is no longer the exclusive realm of billionaires.

From teenagers donating allowance money to retirees volunteering at nonprofits, giving spans all demographics and lifestyles. Susan Aurelia Gitelson’s insightful book, Giving Is Not Just for the Very Rich, reinforces this shift by highlighting how generosity transcends wealth, age, gender, and social class.

Rethinking Who Gives and Why

Gitelson makes a compelling case early in her book: Giving Is Not Just for the Very Rich. Giving is deeply personal, and its motivations often come from life experiences, values, or even adversity. Many donors give because they’ve overcome hardships and want to help others do the same. Others are driven by religious beliefs, cultural traditions, or a passion for education, health, or justice.

Philanthropy becomes even more meaningful when it reflects one’s identity, and this is where how different groups give back becomes essential to understanding modern generosity.

The Wealth Spectrum of Giving

Gitelson briefly discusses affluent trailblazers like Bill and Melinda Gates in Giving Is Not Just for the Very Rich, but she soon shifts her focus to regular people who donate money, time, and ideas, such as teachers, social workers, volunteers, and retirees. According to studies she cites, households with incomes between $50,000 and $100,000 typically donate a larger percentage of their earnings to charitable causes than do the ultra-rich. These results provide credence to the notion that willingness, not wealth, determines giving ability.

No matter the economic level, philanthropy flourishes. Examples of how various categories give back include a middle-class couple supporting local literacy initiatives or a student launching a crowdsourcing campaign for disaster relief.

Youth and Philanthropy

Today’s youth are more and more motivated by causes. They make innovative, tech-savvy contributions to everything from school fundraisers to climate advocacy. Stories of kids using social media to generate money and awareness are included by Gitelson. While many people volunteer locally, others use digital channels to assist issues around the world. Their initiatives are an example of how age and technological literacy impact charitable giving, influencing strategies and causes.

Working Adults: Value-Driven Donors

Professionals in their 30s to 50s typically concentrate their charitable contributions on initiatives that support their family’s needs or personal values. Gitelson gives examples of people who have donated to educational programs they have benefited from or who are funding cancer research because a family member has been diagnosed with the disease. These are strategic donors who frequently make contributions through workplace matching gift programs, donor-advised funds, or payroll deductions.

This group also reflects a growing class of social entrepreneurs—people who integrate giving into business structures, such as firms that donate a part of profits to charity. Their participation serves as an example of how giving habits vary by culture and generation.

Retirees and Legacy Giving

Gitelson talks about how philanthropy is a popular way for older adults to leave a legacy. Some create foundations or scholarships, while others are frequent volunteers. They frequently concentrate on causes that represent enduring values, such as health, education, and religious organizations.

It’s interesting to note that many retirees start contributing more deliberately following significant life events like retirement, becoming grandparents, or experiencing a loss. Their background informs their long-term, deliberate contributions.

Gender and Giving: The Rise of Female Philanthropists

Another theme in the book is how women, especially those with financial independence, are becoming philanthropic leaders. Gitelson notes that women often give more than men at similar income levels and are more likely to support social causes, education, and community development.

Women tend to emphasize empathy and emotional connection in giving. Their rising influence is reshaping giving patterns by generation and culture, particularly in how decisions are made within households and foundations.

Cultural Identity and Giving Styles

Gitelson emphasizes that cultural background plays a large role in how people give. For example, Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and other faith communities embed charity into their traditions. Likewise, immigrants often give back to their home countries or support causes that aid fellow newcomers.

The book illustrates demographic influences on charitable giving through compelling anecdotes, like donors funding language centers or donating medical supplies to underserved regions. Such stories show that giving is a bridge between identity and action.

Volunteerism as a Form of Giving

While much of philanthropy is financial, Gitelson reminds readers that time and talent are just as vital. Volunteering at hospitals, mentoring youth, or organizing community cleanups are all powerful contributions. Many people, especially students and retirees, give in this way because their time is more available than money.

This generosity enriches both giver and recipient. As Gitelson states, “Your life will be enriched greatly when you volunteer… the process of empathizing with others can help alleviate your own problems.”

Social Media: Modern Philanthropy’s Megaphone

Younger generations and tech-savvy adults now use social platforms for fundraising, advocacy, and awareness. Gitelson explores how online campaigns, viral challenges, and influencer activism expand giving beyond traditional channels. These digital movements show how different groups give back using the tools of their time.

Social media isn’t just a platform—it’s a culture of giving built on peer influence, storytelling, and rapid mobilization.

Institutional vs. Grassroots Giving

From Gitelson’s examples, it’s clear that giving happens at both institutional and grassroots levels. Corporations might donate millions to education reform, while community groups might raise a few thousand for local libraries. Both are impactful in their own ways.

The real insight? Effective philanthropy isn’t about scale—it’s about intentionality.

Takeaways from Giving Is Not Just for the Very Rich

Everyone can give.
Gitelson’s central message is that generosity isn’t reserved for the elite.

Giving is joyful.
Scientific studies cited in the book show that giving releases endorphins and increases happiness.

Giving is strategic.
Donors should research causes, evaluate impact, and align giving with personal values.

Giving is diverse.
From culture to class to age, everyone contributes differently.

Giving is empowering.

Donors gain agency by choosing how to shape the world around them.

Related Reading and Action

For more insight into bridging the demographic gap in philanthropy, see this Forbes article, which complements Gitelson’s perspective. You can also explore how giving can create a chain reaction of generosity across families, neighborhoods, and nations.

In line with her mission, Susan Aurelia Gitelson proudly supports UPLIFT San Diego, a local nonprofit dedicated to helping the unhoused and underserved. With every copy of Giving Is Not Just for the Very Rich sold, a portion goes toward aiding homeless individuals in San Diego, California. By purchasing this book, readers aren’t just learning about giving—they’re actively participating in it.

Conclusion: Giving Starts with You

Understanding how different groups give back helps us realize that giving is accessible, adaptive, and deeply human. Whether you’re a college student, working parent, retiree, or entrepreneur, you can make a difference.

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Ready to start your own journey into giving?

Discover stories, strategies, and inspiration in Giving Is Not Just for the Very Rich by Susan Aurelia Gitelson. Order your copy today and explore what it means to be a giver in your own way.

Or visit the author’s website to learn more about her work and resources for future philanthropists.