Women in Philanthropy

Are Giving Patterns Changing?

Tracey Biles in the AHP Journal notes differences of giving by women of different generations. Ms. Biles referenced data from The Trendset Group — by 2010 women will control 60% of the wealth in the United States. The Council on Foundations finds that women make up 52% of foundation CEOs, 72% of program officers, and 31% of board members.


Lynne C. Lancaster’s and David Stillman’s book When Generations Collide define 3 generations and their characteristics:

• Traditionalists (1901-1945) — women of this era donate “out of loyalty but often give in their husband’s name or anonymously”
• Baby Boomers (1946-64) — these women “tend to be community oriented and dedicated to issues of social change”
• Generation X-ers (1965-1976) — “value diversity and innovation, lead a high-tech life style and are independent decision makers”

For additional sources on women’s giving, checkout Thomas J. Stanley's The Millionaire Mind and Millionaire Women. Stanley notes that women who have made their fortunes behave quite differently than women who control money from their fathers and/or husbands. Times are indeed changing, and for the better.

To take this information and make it useful, listen carefully when you’re interacting with your best women donors. If you know them well, talk about what you’ve learned here to see if they would agree or not. And, how would they refine these generalizations to fit themselves and their friends.

TomWilsonMajorGiftsGuru@gmail.com

Tags: Women Philanthropy, Women in Philanthroy, Women Donating, Women donors

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