The Traverse City Record-Eagle reports today in its article, "Giving where it counts: survey studies women philanthropists," that The Falconer Group has just released the results of a national survey on women’s philanthropy.
The findings?
Among them that women tend to be more into building social change, and really making a difference, than on attaching their names to buildings or monuments.
The survey focused on on the philanthropy of Baby Boomer women born between 1945 and 1960 and Gen X women born between 1961 and 1980. The gift sizes of the 176 women surveyed nationwide ranged from $200 to $4 million annually.
This was the first survey of this kind focusing on Gen X philanthropists, such as myself. And evidently, it’s not surprising that I associate myself with the concept of philanthropy, even though I don’t give millions. According to the survey, this is one of the trends among Gen X women–a more prevalent tendency to consider themselves philanthropists.
The article explains another finding about Gen X women, saying, "Gen X women are the future of philanthropy," said Carmen Stevens (who conducted the survey). "This group of women will provide new definitions for what it means to be a donor, how to give through partnership that includes venture philanthropy, experiential giving and global perspectives, and will not be satisfied with traditional methods of solicitation or support."
Gen X philanthropists also tend to be into what we call around here, "building a wave of philanthropy." The article explains, "Gen X women are looking beyond philanthropy for involvement, both personally and with others, to create a ‘ripple’ effect and collective change as they go about making the world a better place," said Sondra Shaw-Hardy (co-author of the survey). "With Boomer women, involvement was key before they gave. With Gen X-ers, it is the reverse."
But despite these differences, the survey found similarities between women philanthropists representing these two generations–such as their preference for social change and genuine transformation of people’s lives than one-off projects or buildings.
Other similarities:
- Women tend to use their gifts to leverage others, by providing challenge grants, and even accepting public recognition. They are stepping up to encourage other women to give, and to serve as advocates for the organizations they support.
- Women give from a place of true passion and tend to be more concerned with what they’re giving to, than how much they’re giving, when considering their role as philanthropists. They also value volunteering and giving of their time and talent to an organization when considering the idea of philanthropy–not just how much money they can give.
- Women tend to be concerned with and giving to local organizations and issues.
- In terms of issues, women are most concerned with promoting an understanding of the world as one community; protecting the environment; sharing of resources; the need for compassion; and, the need for peace and an end to violent conflict–which women see as beginning with the empowerment of women.
Whatever women are giving to though, or their reasons for doing so, the common thread seems to be interweaving their passion with proven strategies and know-how.
The article explains, "I think women give from the heart but now they are much more sophisticated in how they give," said Marsha Smith, executive director of Rotary Charities in Traverse City. "Women are more likely to get engaged in something they’re passionate about," echoed Weeks. "This doesn’t necessarily mean giving large amounts of money. It also might mean being on a board or getting involved in a fund raiser. Women are interested in seeing results. They want to be part of the solution."
And so, like with anyone, women’s philanthropy seems to be just getting wiser, stronger and more powerful with age and experience–building on the knowledge and lessons of the past to glean the knowledge and skills necessary to conquer challenges and build a hopeful, positive future.
In the words of Dar Williams, aren’t we aging well?
