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How Women Are Shaping the Future of Philanthropy

Community foundations have the privilege of working with individuals, families, and businesses who are deeply committed to supporting charitable causes. Across generations and backgrounds, philanthropy continues to play an important role in strengthening communities, and in recent years, we’ve seen women’s influence grow.

There’s no better time to dig into that change than Women’s History Month. Research from the Women’s Philanthropy Institute at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy has shown the ways women shape these kinds of decisions in their families and communities. As more women become primary financial decision-makers, it means they can also take a leading role in how donations happen.

There are two common reasons this change could be happening. For some families, leadership in philanthropy shifts to women gradually: a daughter becoming more involved in conversations about giving as she ages, or a spouse who once deferred these decisions beginning to take an interest. In other cases, this is a sudden transition brought on by the death of a spouse or parent, leaving someone in charge of all family finances and charitable giving.
When you can recognize these patterns, you can better support clients navigating any scenario.

Giving Through Life’s Ups and Downs

Over the past two decades, research shows that single women have demonstrated remarkable consistency in their charitable participation. According to the Women Give 2024 report, single women experienced a smaller decline in charitable giving participation than single men. In some cases, their average giving amounts even held steady or increased during difficult periods, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many donors supported secular causes at higher levels.

Keen advisors will notice that this pattern shows how important thoughtful charitable planning can be. Women often view giving as a core personal value and want to support causes they care about, even during more uncertain financial periods. Community foundations are one way to build flexible giving strategies, no matter the life circumstances.

Connecting National Trends to Local Impact

Another trend to note is increasing support for organizations that focus specifically on women and girls. According to the Women’s Philanthropy Institute, giving to these organizations surpassed two percent of total charitable giving for the first time between 2022 and 2023. This represents more than $11 billion in annual contributions.

While this is a growth in the overall share of giving, inflation is slightly reducing the true value of those contributions. It’s important to talk with clients about national trends, while also highlighting local needs and ways they can connect to impactful causes near them.

Philanthropy Beyond Financial Gifts

Philanthropy often extends far beyond writing a check. The 2025 Bank of America Study of Philanthropy reports that 43 percent of affluent households volunteered in 2024, up from 37 percent just two years earlier. People who volunteer often are usually very connected to their causes, which we see especially among women and single women.

For advisors, conversations about charitable planning can benefit from exploring both financial giving and volunteer involvement. Knowing where clients donate their time and expertise can tell you about causes that are meaningful to them and may shape their long-term philanthropic strategies.

A Collaborative Approach to Philanthropy

Women are playing an increasing part in philanthropy and larger community efforts. Advisors who recognize these trends can better support their clients as they define their giving priorities and build meaningful philanthropic legacies.

Our team is honored to partner with you in this work. Whether a client is establishing a new charitable structure, refining a strategy around an existing donor-advised fund, or stepping into newly inherited philanthropic responsibilities, the community foundation is here to help ensure their giving reflects both enduring values and evolving purpose.