The Great Wealth Transfer: Trends Nonprofits Need to Know

Jun 24, 2026

For years experts have talked about the coming of the Great Wealth Transfer, the massive movement of wealth expected to pass from Baby Boomers to younger generations over the next two decades.

But are you seeing it at your organization? You probably are, even if the phenomenon is not manifesting as an immediate wave of large gifts. Here are the nuanced trends to watch for:

  • More donors are engaging in estate and legacy planning conversations that include charitable gifts. 
  • Larger gifts involving appreciated assets, donor advised funds and planned giving vehicles are becoming more common. 
  • Families are increasingly involving children and grandchildren in philanthropic decisions earlier than in previous generations. 

As these trends emerge, now is the time to strengthen your donor development efforts by focusing on:

As wealth changes hands, the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines can help your organization prepare for and respond to these evolving donor trends in several ways:

  • Our team can help your organization build long-term financial stability by administering your endowment or reserve fund. The Community Foundation's ongoing professional investment management and services can help you create permanent charitable resources designed to support your mission for generations to come. 
  • Many donors involved in the Great Wealth Transfer hold significant wealth in non-cash assets such as appreciated stock, real estate, closely held business interests, retirement assets, cryptocurrency, collectibles and other complex property. The Community Foundation can help you facilitate these gifts by accepting, liquidating and transferring assets into your endowment that your organization may not be equipped to handle directly. 
  • The team at the Community Foundation is ready to offer insights to help strengthen your organization's planned giving efforts. The Endowment Toolkit includes resources for endowment-building and planned giving. Please reach out to learn about upcoming technical assistance, education and capacity-building opportunities. 

While the Great Wealth Transfer will continue unfolding over many years, organizations do not need to wait to take action. The nonprofits that build relationships across generations, strengthen planned giving efforts and prepare to accept a wider range of assets today will be better positioned to benefit from charitable giving tomorrow, and the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines is here to support you.