You would think that the Great Wealth Transfer (GWT) would cause a serious rethinking, if not a jettisoning, of traditional fundraising assumptions, emphases and practices. After all, the GWT constitutes a singular philanthropic “moment,” a 10-to-15 year period in which the largest, wealthiest generation, which holds half of the nation’s wealth, will pass on its assets, mostly to designated heirs. While only one-seventh is estimated to be bequeathed to nonprofits, it’s a huge sum—$13.8 trillion.¹ Philanthropy-seeking organizations will never see a larger tranche of philanthropic dollars or a generation as loyal to nonprofits.  

Further, when Baby Boomers pass on, nothing like them will follow in terms of assets or inclinations. The most g…