Platforms driven by social engagement are perfect for the members of the millennial generation, who conduct much of their financial and social transactions online. They have the added bonus of being simple enough for my dad to use, although my dad may not be as likely to Tweet about it. It looks as though this method has staying power: Millennials are not abandoning the Internet as their primary means of gathering information as they age.

According to a Pew study conducted last year, 67% of Internet experts agreed that millennials will still be sharing their enthusiasm for widespread information-sharing in 2020. The savviest causes and nonprofits are jumping on the bandwagon, even if they're still serving up $500 charitable plates to their more established donor base.

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