Washington Grantmakers just released its annual giving report, "Our Region, Our Giving 2007."
I haven’t had a chance to look over the whole report yet, but I did have a chance to steal some stats from their blog.
It seems that investing in the Washington metropolitan region is taking off, even if Newsweek is talking up giving globally this week.
According to the annual giving report, in our area:
- National foundations have more than tripled their investments in our region, with $1.5 billion today compared to $407 million in 1992;
- Local foundations are investing 63% of their philanthropic dollars in this region – a significant rise from only 46% fifteen years before; and,
- The assets of the region’s community foundations have grown from $31.5 million to $412.5 million.
Nothing to shake a stick at.
And just to round it out, here are some figures on how the philanthropic landscape looks in our region when seen through a gender lens–from our 2003 Portrait Project.
- Women-led foundations oversaw more than $141.2 million in giving in 2001. However, analysis of 12,000 grants made in 2003 by the top 100 foundations showed that of the $441 million in grants paid, only $30.7 million–or 7%–went to women’s and girls’ programs (a trend still reflected nationally as of 2006). Of those, only about half went to organizations in the region.
- Only 2.86%of grants made by foundations formed between 1996 and 2003 in the Washington metropolitan area currently with assets of at least $1 million went to women’s and girls’ programs.
- Women lead 28 percent of the largest foundations established in the region since 1996.
- Women play a significant role in the management of the top 100 foundations, directly leading 34 of them and serving on the boards of 85 in 2003.
Now, I know you’re wondering…where does Washington Area Women’s Foundation fit into all of this after being around for nearly a decade?
Washington Area Women’s Foundation:
- is the only donor-supported public foundation in the region that works to improve the lives of low-income women and girls and to increase philanthropy by all women (i.e. 100% of our grantmaking is devoted to improving the lives of women and girls).
- The Women’s Foundation currently provides more than $1 million annually in grantmaking devoted to women and girls in our region.
- Since 1998, The Women’s Foundation has provided more than $4.1 million in grants to more than 100 outstanding Grantee Partners throughout our region, all working to change the lives of women and girls.
- The Women’s Foundation is one of the fastest growing women’s funds in the country.
And that’s after just 10 short years. Just imagine what we’ll do in the next 10.
We’re more motivated than ever, particularly given the ever-increasing importance of focusing grantmaking, strategy, discussion and advocacy on the needs of our region’s women and girls.
Because women and girls are worth way more than just 8%. So, to make up the difference, we’re giving them 110% and growing, and changing the lives of everyone involved along the way.
