Women and PhilanthropyWomen and Philanthropy:
Boldly Shaping a Better World

 

"Written for every development officer that wants to gain greater insight into charitable giving by women."

- John Lippincott, President,
Council for Advancement and Support of Education, Washington D.C.

“As part of our comprehensive women’s philanthropy education program at the Dallas Women’s Foundation we are always looking for books on the topic of women’s philanthropy to share with our donors. Women and Philanthropy is an inspirational book for women in any stage of their philanthropic journey. It also provides great insight into what is possible when you engage women as donor leaders.”

- Lesly Bosch Annen
Chief Philanthropy & Communications Officer
Dallas Women's Foundation

Although Martha, Buffy and I have over a half-century plus of combined experience with women and philanthropy, the real heart of this book are the stories we heard during those years, from both women and men.  Stories, along with research, that formed the basis of all we knew and all we wanted to share. 

While chapter headings are fine, I thought that it might be interesting to have a very brief narrative tour of the chapters of Women and Philanthropy.

So here goes:

Women and Philanthropy: Boldly Shaping a Better World

It surely began with Adam and Eve: two distinct genders behaving in very different ways.  Two separate ways of giving.  Women have always given of course, but today they are giving their money as well as their time.

Why?  Because not only are women throwing off the old stereotypes of women and philanthropy, they are taking control of their finances—their lives–and acting independently.  Women in the media have championed these changes.

The qualities that women bring to philanthropy are changing the way philanthropy is conducted. Understanding these distinctions, including diversity and generation, is essential to know when establishing women’s philanthropy programs.  These programs provide opportunities for women to become involved in not only giving money, but becoming philanthropic leaders. Over the past twenty years, many thousands of women have done just that—they have become philanthropic leaders by being part of programs in universities, women’s giving circles and women’s funds.

All women’s philanthropy programs contain an education component that stresses giving to your passion and with compassion to make an impact.  Women are making lasting improvements in the world when starting bold projects and foundations to deal with the important world issues, including women, girls, health, and education.

The outcomes of the women’s philanthropy movement are enormous.  Research will continue to institutionalize the movement.  The ways women give will become the norm for all philanthropy.  Best of all, women will see to it that their gifts will make the world a better place.

Women and Philanthropy

Now that I’ve given you a brief 283 word glimpse into Women and Philanthropy, I hope you are excited to find out all there is to know in all the pages: where women are giving, women’s influence on couple giving, why women’s leadership works, how women and men’s brains differ, what two women did after seeing the poverty in Kenya and Tanzania, why women’s giving circles and women’s funds appeal to women, and how being bold means being brave and even audacious.

Please do take a long look at the entire book and let me know what you think.  I hope you’ll love the book as much as we loved meeting all the wonderful women when we were writing it.