Well, the Interwebs are certainly all abuzz this week with talk of women’s philanthropy. And the talk is good.
First, a Fidelity study shows that women are shaping the future of philanthropy.
Okay, we knew that.
But still, the report shows a number of positive, exciting new trends, such as that women are growing more comfortable giving with their name attached now, are being increasingly innovative in their philanthropic choices and are increasingly making decisions for how their households will give.
Additionally, Tactical Philanthropy featured a post, "Six Principles of Women’s High Engagement Philanthropy," which outlines the six principles (well worth a read) and offers the following introductory insight from Alice Eagly of Northwestern University, who says, "Women are transformational leaders while men are more likely to be transactional leaders."
Just like we’ve known at The Women’s Foundation for years: women are all about giving "beyond the check."
Give and Take summarizes these discussions well here.
These pieces are exciting because they confirm what those of us practicing women’s philanthropy have long known to be true, as well as demonstrating that the movement is growing rapidly and with energy, despite the economic downturn and the many challenges it brings with it.
Indeed, as the song says that is so often heard at graduation ceremonies of our Grantee Partners’ job training and other programs, "Ain’t no stoppin’ us now."
Lisa Kays is The Women’s Foundation’s Director of Communications.
