Here at The Women’s Foundation we see it all the time. How women’s philanthropy is different.
How it tends to not only build up communities, but also build connections, as women are heavily involved in their giving–often wanting to be hands on rather than just writing a check.
You can see this in the connections that are built when women give together–through giving circles or networks.
Or in the passion with which burgeoning nonprofits are connected to resources, people, ideas or trainings that support their work and their vision.
Yes, we see it all the time, almost every day.
And yet, it’s always nice to hear that others are seeing it, too. That this truly is a phenomenon that is changing the face of philanthropy, as women build wealth and take an increasing hold on their power to positively impact their communities and the world.
So it was good to see that Fern Portnoy has taken note as well, sharing her observations about women’s philanthropy on Philantopic. She writes:
- Women donors are strategic. They understand, deeply, the wisdom of funding women and girls.
- They care about impact and know that women’s funds — which vet their grassroots grantees for effectiveness — are an effective way to be sure their dollars truly make a difference.
- They are relational. They want to give in community, to give together.
- They are egalitarian and recognize that their dollars are far less effective without "grantee partners," the women on the front lines who know how to use the funding they provide. In the world of women’s funds, you will see donors and grantees working side by side, a Disney heiress collaborating with the director of a shelter in Harlem.
- Women are charging ahead even as the economy falters. Women Moving Millions has quickly surpassed $90 million toward its $150 million goal.
The evidence is everywhere, building and lending credence to the notion that women’s philanthropy is different, effective, and here to stay.
And that it’s making a significant impact.
As Donna Callejon, a superstar member of The Women’s Foundation’s board of directors, sums it up over at GlobalGiving: The upshot? Women are positioned to lead the way in shaping philanthropy’s future.
Given what we see around here all the time, and Fern’s observations, one can’t help but deduce that the future is lookin’ good.
