Women and Philanthropy by Barbara Marcus

Many thanks to Barbara Marcus for this post!

Women and Philanthropy (The following information was taken from a session at the Women’s Funding Network Conference, April 2010)

It is very interesting to see what motivates and moves individuals to give to philanthropic causes. A study was conducted through Bank of America and the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University to see trends and track those who are considered high-net-worth donors, those who have at least $200,000 in annual income and/or $1 million in investable assets , not including their home.

(To access the full 2008 Bank of America Study of High Net Worth Philanthropy, visit https://www.bankofamerica.com/philanthropic)

The major reason donors said they give is for connection - personal fulfillment. They wanted to be able to affect change and know that they matter to the organization.

The study also looked at gender demographics and influences as well.

• Women own nearly 60% of wealth in the United States
• 80-90% of women will oversee household finances
• Women-owned businesses are the fastest growing subsector
• Women give two times more than men as a percentage of wealth
• Single women give the most
• Households with women increases the overall giving
• Women volunteer more

The Six C’s: Women’s Motivation for Giving

Create

• Women want to create new solutions to problems
• Women like to be entrepreneurial
  

Change

• Women give to make a difference versus preserving the status quo

Connect

• Women prefer to see the human face their gift affects
• Women seek to build partnerships
  

Commit

• Women commit to organizations whose vision they share
• Women volunteer where they give and vice versa
  

Collaborate

• Women prefer to work with others as part of a larger effort
• Women seek to avoid duplication, competition and waste
  

Celebrate

• Women celebrate their accomplishments, have fun together, and enjoy the deeper meaning and satisfaction of their philanthropy

The Gender Lens

Donors who seek change and impact ought to be funding women and girls….they just may not know it! Take any issue below and the case can be made as to why it is a women and girl issue.

• Poverty
• Violence
• Health
• Immigration
• Education