This piece originally ran on The New York Times.
To the Editor:
Re “Baby Boomers Leaving Behind Riches, Still Mostly for the Rich” (front page, May 15):
I read with interest this article about the greatest wealth transfer in history, with trillions of dollars reinforcing inequality. While I don’t disagree that there will be extraordinary, unprecedented wealth in new hands, my experience working with millennial and Gen Z inheritors gives me hope.
Their mind-set, values and sense of responsibility include broad, inclusive criteria for how they will use their resources to advance social change.
The young philanthropists I work with are unwilling to accept the status quo. They feel it’s their responsibility to be deeply informed about the systems they are trying to change, including those that made them rich and others poor. They lead with curiosity and humility, rather than ego and greed.
Solving big global challenges like gender inequality, climate change and food insecurity demands a paradigm shift and a new type of philanthropist. I’m hopeful that this next generation of wealth holders leads to the greatest generation of philanthropy the world has ever seen.
Rena Greifinger
Washington
The writer is managing director of Maverick Collective, a community of female philanthropists.
