Second-Home Owners: Donors Transforming Local Nonprofits!

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Second-home ownership may sound like a lifestyle topic, but this episode makes it clear that it is also a major nonprofit business opportunity. Jeffrey Glebocki, Founder and Lead Advisor of Strategy Plus Action Philanthropy, shares first-of-its-kind research on how second homeowners think, give, volunteer, and connect with causes in the communities where they spend part of the year. The scale alone is eye-opening. Jeff explains that there are about 6.5 million second homes in the United States, representing roughly 5% of the nation’s housing stock. Even more striking, half of those second homes are concentrated in just eight states: Florida, California, New York, Texas, Michigan, North Carolina, Arizona, and Pennsylvania. For nonprofits operating in these areas, this is not a niche audience. It is a significant and often underused segment of philanthropic opportunity!

Jeff explains that second-home owners bring substantial giving capacity. Their liquid available assets ranged from $250,000 to more than $100 million. More importantly, they are not simply passive residents. Many are interested in building relationships, finding meaning, and supporting local organizations once they feel connected to the place. That connection usually takes time. According to the research, donors often wait two to three years before making gifts in their second-home communities, but once engaged, they can become generous supporters, volunteers, and even board members.

One of the most exciting takeaways is that these donors are not looking for a hard sell. They respond to invitations from trusted people, easy entry points, and meaningful social experiences. Jeff puts it plainly: “If we don't know about you, if we don't hear about your group or your cause, we can't give to you.” That insight alone is a wake-up call for nonprofits that want to expand their visibility and strengthen local communications.

The lively conversation also reveals that donor values tend to remain steady across both primary and second-home communities. Yet donors often adapt their giving to local realities, whether that means environmental concerns, housing pressures, disaster response, or border issues. As one donor quoted in the research said, “Our money here has more impact, period.” That sense of direct, visible results can deepen trust and grow long-term support.

This is a smart, practical conversation about donor behavior, local engagement, and how nonprofits can better position themselves to welcome a high-capacity audience already living among them part of the year.

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