The Power of Women in Philanthropy

In a recent article in Stanford Social Innovation review, Heather McLeod Grant and Jessica Robinson Love ask the question: Are Women Donors the Key to Unlocking More Giving?

Their insight is that the future of philanthropy is female- and women are a critical leverage point to unlocking more impactful and equitable gifting over the next decade. Quoting the Women’s Philanthropy Institute at Indiana University, they conclude that women give more as a percentage of assets, women give more broadly than men, women are more hands-on, women are more collaborative, women are more relational and women give with a gender lens.

The Women’s Philanthropy Institute (WPI) report detailing the giving trends.

Engaging women is different than engaging men. These are the key conclusions for how advisors can support women.

• take women seriously,

• help women find their peers,

• empower women to lead, research, and innovate.

I could not agree with them more – they have done an in-depth, thoughtful, impactful analysis and as advisors we should all take note of their effort.