| |
|  | Study Fundraising |
|
| | |
|
|
|
In this chapter we discussed the role of women in philanthropy, reviewing the evolution of women’s involvement in this arena as well as important factors for fundraisers to consider when appealing to women donors. We made a case for why gender matters in philanthropy, highlighting the continually-growing financial contributions women have been making to nonprofit organizations. An understanding of the history and ongoing issues surrounding women and philanthropy will help fundraisers attract and retain women donors in a way that is meaningful for both donors and nonprofit organizations.
The supporting materials for this chapter are grouped as indicated below:
Emerging Trend of Women as Donors
Women’s Giving Patterns
New Models of Engagement
Fundraising Strategies to Cultivate Women Donors
Additional Resources
Recommended Reading
Emerging Trend of Women as Donors
The role of women in philanthropy is still evolving, but women philanthropists already contribute significantly to the nonprofit field. Regardless, many nonprofits have yet to realize the positive financial and emotional rewards of working intentionally and strategically with women donors. Perhaps this reluctance or oversight is a vestige of women’s former primary role as family caregiver with little financial independence. Throughout the past century, however, a number of factors have converged to fundamentally change this historical hold-over:
1. Nonprofit organizations are seeking new and creative ways to fund their programs in order to further their missions.
2. Women have made exponential gains in income and education over the past 30 years.
3. Women are increasingly aware of and confident in their role as philanthropists.
While these factors and others have placed women in an unprecedented position to make a difference through philanthropy, other barriers to women’s giving remain in place. Many women have a difficult time thinking of themselves as philanthropists and are hesitant to make decisions about what they consider “family” money. Furthermore, nonprofit organizations frequently exacerbate these internal barriers by failing to cultivate women as either volunteer leaders or donors. Without making an intentional effort to seek out women donors, an organization may miss out on many of the most committed and passionate donors.
There are a plethora of organizations now dedicated to celebrating and encouraging philanthropy by women. These include
Global Fund for Women
National Center for Family Philanthropy
Women’s Giving Patterns
The Center on Philanthropy Panel Study has been used by a number of researchers, including those cited in our text to explore the impact of gender on giving. Details of the panel study and associated papers can be found on the Center on Philanthropy website.
The most detailed review of the academic literature we can find, however, has been conducted by Professor Debra Mesch and can be found at the website of the Women's Philanthropy Institute
New Models of Engagement
1) Women's Funds
There are now many nonprofit funds established to target specifically women's issues. They may in turn be funded by female philanthropists, but it would be a mistake to believe that their donor bases are exclusively female. Many male donors are also interested in issues of equality and access.
A number of web links may be helpful:
The International Network of Women’s Funds partners with both the Global Fund for Women and the Women’s Funding Network as an international network of women’s funds. Current members span the continents and include funds in such diverse countries as Bulgaria, Mongolia, and Ghana. See the complete list of members here: click here
You do not have to live in a major metropolitan area to participate in a women’s fund. Many counties, cities, and greater metropolitan areas have their own women’s funds. Below is a representative sample of the kinds of women’s funding organizations established in communities of various sizes.
Washington Area Women’s Foundation organizes giving circles, legacy gifts, employee giving, volunteer opportunities and much more for women philanthropists in the Washington, DC area.
The Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts, located in the small community of Easthampton, MA, uses philanthropy to empower women and girls in the four most western counties in Massachusetts. Looking at their past grantees by county illustrates the diversity of organizations they are able to support in this predominantly rural region.
2) Giving Circles
A giving circle is a ‘pooled fund, often hosted or sponsored by a charitable organization such as a community foundation, through which members make grants together’ (Rutnik and Bearman 2005: 4). It is a coming together of a group of people, to share their philanthropic resources and thus make larger gifts to selected nonprofits. Bearman (2007) has identified that the majority of these participants are women.
There are many online resources to support creating and running a giving circle. These include:
1. An excellent report by Stephanie Clohesy Donor circles: Launching and leveraging shared giving. on behalf of the Women’s Funding Network.
2. Angela M. Eikenberry (who has written a lot in this domain) and Jessica Bearman authored a report looking at the significance of giving circles:
The Impact of Giving Together: Giving Circles’ Influence on Members’Philanthropic and Civic Behaviors, Knowledge and Attitudes It is available to download for free.
3. The forum for the regional association of grantmakers offer a series of recommendations to anyone considering starting up a giving circle. Click Here
Fundraising Strategies to Cultivate Women Donors
A number of web sources may also be helpful in considering how to solicit gifts from female donors:
Women in Philanthropy, housed at the University of Michigan website, was established by the late Ann Castle who was a nationally-recognized authority on women and philanthropy. In addition to basic information on the topic, the website features an extensive list of women’s philanthropic gifts.
Women & Philanthropy at UCLA provides a great example of how to target women donors. In addition to the benefits of knowing donors have made a positive contribution to their community, Women & Philanthropy at UCLA emphasizes the social and intellectual advantages of giving through a fund directed specifically at women donors.
Guidance in respect of how to approach female donors is also provided in a number of the books we provide links to below.
Additional Resources
Download the latest report from the Women's Philanthropy Institute at Indiana University. 'Women Give 2010"
Recommended Reading
Articles
Andreoni, J., Brown, E., & Rischall, I. (2003). Charitable giving by married couples: Who decides and why does it matter? The Journal of Human Resources, 38(1), 111-133.
Bearman J., Beaudoin-Schwartz B and Rutnik T.A. (2005) ‘Giving Circles: A Powerful Vehicle for Women’, New Directions for Philanthropic Fundraising, 50 (winter) 109-123.
Brown, E. (2006). Married couples' charitable giving: Who and why? New Directions for Philanthropic Fundraising, Winter 2005(50), 69-80.
Brown, M. & Rooney, P. (2008). Proceedings from the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University Symposium: Men, Women, X, and Y: Generational and gender differences in motivations for giving. Indianapolis, IN.
Citigroup Private Bank (2002) Family, Philanthropy Top Priorities for Ultra-Wealthy, Press Release, Aug 5th.
Eastman C.L. (1995) ‘Philanthropic Cultures of Generational Archetypes’ new Directions for Philanthropic Fundraising, 8, (Summer), 137-149
Eikenberry A (2005) Giving Circles and the Democratization of Philanthopy, Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation, University of Nebraska.
Engle, D. & Moline, P. (2008). Proceedings from the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University Symposium: Dames, Dollars and Data: Measuring the Impact and Influence of Your Women's Program. Indianapolis, IN.
Mitchell, P. J. (2009). Proceedings from United Way of America Women’s Leadership Council Summit: Leadership Discussion. Miami, FL.
Parsons, P. H. (2004). Women’s Philanthropy: Motivations For Giving. ProQuest Digital Dissertations. (AAT 3155889)
Remmer E.E. (20065) ‘The Dynamics of Women and Family Philanthropy,’ New Directions for Philanthropic Fundraising, 50 (Winter) 81-94.
Rooney, P., Brown, E., Mesch, D. (2007). Who decides in giving to education? A study of charitable giving by married couples. International Journal of Educational Advancement, 7(3), 229-242.
Rutnik, T.A., & Bearman, J. (2005). Giving together: A national scan of giving circles and shared giving. Washington, D.C.: Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers. Page 4. Retrieved from: http://www.givingforum.org/givingcircles/ on August 13, 2009.
Skoe, E. E. A., Cumberland, A., Eisenberg, N., Hansen, K., & Perry, J. (2002). The influences of sex and gender-role identity on moral cognition and prosocial personality traits. Sex Roles: A Journal of Research, 46(9-10), 295-309.
Van Slyke, D. M. & Brooks, A. C. (2005). Why do people give? New evidence and strategies for nonprofit managers. American Review of Public Administration 35(3), 199-222.
Books
Bearman J.E. (2007) More Giving Together: The Growth and Impact of Giving Circles and Shared Giving, New Ventures in Philanthropy initiative of the Forum of the Regional Associations of Grantmakers Washington, DC.
Washington Women’s Foundation. (2006) Giving. Learning. Leading. Together. Washington Women’s Foundation. Seattle.
Washington Women’s Foundation. (2002) Something Ventured: An Innovative Model in Philanthropy. Washington Women’s Foundation: Seattle.
|
| |
|
|
| | | | StudyFundraising.org supports the fundraising syllabi development by Professor Adrian Sargeant and Professor Jen Shang |
| ![]() |
