Once upon a time leadership was simple. The private sector led economic development, the public sector provided the services, and the nonprofit sector operated the “safety net.” There was an older generation and a younger generation. Everybody generally agreed on the same goals and vision for the community. For the first time in history, there are five living generations in America. Each generation has its own views on everything from work and community to music and retail purchases.

The five groups (GI’s, Silents, Baby Boomers, Generation X and the Millennials) have greatly different expectations about their employers and communities; they think differently about volunteering and charitable giving; they make buying decisions differently; and they have very specific likes and dislikes about media and how messages are communicated to them.

The economy is different, too. Once Baby Boomers would travel anywhere for the right job, today Millennials select the place they want to live, then find a job. This single practice is turning old models of economic development upside down. The three sectors of the economy are now linked together as foundation for great communities. The nonprofit sector is now the catalyst for growth and sustainability of communities and the driver for quality of life in the community.

Mark Brewer, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Community Foundation of Central Florida, Inc., will discuss the economic power and influence of the nonprofit sector on the community’s quality of life. The Foundation’s mission is to build community by building philanthropy, and it holds more than 400 charitable funds for individuals, families, businesses and agencies across the region. By managing and investing donor funds, connecting donors with projects they feel passionately about, and providing research for donors to make informed decisions, the Community Foundation connects people with what they care about in the Central Florida regional community.

Find out how five living generations of people are building social capital in new community paradigms across the economic sectors. Whether you are a business leader, nonprofit executive, volunteer leader, or political leader, you won’t want to miss this leadership primer!