Women in America have a centuries-long history of supporting charitable causes – even in a world shaped by gender inequality. Understanding the role of gender in historical philanthropic behaviors can help women reach their full potential as leaders and givers today.

The history of female philanthropists here started in parochial institutions during the colonial era, where nuns, deaconesses and women of all faiths provided charitable services to marginalized communities, according to the Gale’s Women’s Studies Archive. These early efforts to aid the poor and sick inspired the creation of contemporary religious groups like the Hospital Sisters Health System, Sisters of Mercy and Sisters of Charity.  

Women were pioneer givers of food, shelter, clothing, health care and education because they immediately responded to social needs. 

An example is when Ann Radcliffe financially supported the first scholarship fund at Harvard University in the 1600s.

In 1809, Black female members of the African Union Society created the African Female Benevolent society in Rhode Island to provide clothing and education to Black children, as governmental resources were controlled by white Americans.

In 1881, Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross with the goal of providing nursing care and support to soldiers during the Civil War. 

Jane Addams and Ellen Gates Starr established the Hull House in Chicago’s industrial, poor west side to provide social and educational opportunities for working class people in 1889. 

In 1909, Nannie Helen Burroughs founded the National Training School for Women and Girls in Washington, D.C., to provide vocational training for women who had no access to education.

Helen Keller co-founded the American Foundation for Overseas Blind to assist World War II Veterans who were blinded in combat in 1915.

These are just a few examples from American history. This behavior of female giving toward social services is still seen in women’s philanthropy today, according to the 2015 “How and Why Women Give” study conducted by the Women’s Philanthropy Institute at Indiana University. 

Women’s involvement in philanthropy has become more visible as they have entered educational institutions and the workforce, according to an article by the Boston Foundation about women’s philanthropy. Women hold 40% of wealth worldwide, according to the Women’s Philanthropy Institute.

“Women are going to shape the future of philanthropy, and we need to step up and seize that opportunity and responsibility. Not only do we influence most of the giving in the household, we are more philanthropic than men and we are now accumulating more of the wealth.” - Ellen Remmer, partner at The Philanthropic Initiative and chair of the Women’s Philanthropy Institute board of directors

In the last 25 years, there has been a growing body of research focusing on how gender can shape behaviors of giving. Here are the key findings across multiple studies by the Women’s Philanthropy Institute:

Women are 40% more likely to give than men (Women Give 2010 report).

In every income group – except those who make between $23,509 and $43,500 – women are more likely to give than men of similar income and demographic characteristics. In households, a $10,000 raise in a woman’s income increases giving by 5% on average. However, a $10,000 raise in a man’s income increases household giving by 3% (Who gives?)

Women volunteer more than men (How and Why Women Give 2015 study). 

Women (single and married) are more likely to volunteer and volunteer more time than men. Looking at people who are single, women volunteer at almost twice the rate of men. These findings are influenced by differences in labor market participation and motivations.

Women’s giving is based on empathy for others, while men give based on self-interest (Where Do Men and Women Give 2015 report).  

Fundraising appeals to women include helping others and personal recognition for their giving. Meanwhile, fundraising appeals to men include tax breaks, personal benefits of charitable giving and social incentives such as invitations to special events. 

Women spread out their giving across various causes more so than men (Where Do Men and Women Give 2015 study). Meanwhile, men tend to concentrate their giving (How and Why Women Give 2015 report).

Women give to more charitable sub-sectors than men, to 10 out of 11 charitable causes, including education (K-12), environment, foundations, health, government, higher education, human services, international, overseas, public/society benefits, except neighborhoods and communities. 

Marriage has a positive impact on giving (How and Why Women Give 2015 study).

Married couples tend to give more than single-headed households because it expands shared financial resources and networks. Marriage positively influences men’s giving: They increase their donations and become more charitable.

Households where women are in charge of making decisions are more likely to give by responding spontaneously to needs, believing their donation will make a difference and because of their political and philosophical beliefs (Where Do Men and Women Give 2015 report).

Households where women make the decisions are more likely to give to youth and family, international causes, and health. Meanwhile, male-deciding households are more likely to give to education and religion.

High-net-worth female donors are more likely than male donors to give when they believe their contribution will make a difference, know the organization allocates gifts effectively and want to give back to the community (Where Do Men and Women Give 2015 study).

Women donors prioritize women’s and human rights, and the environment. Meanwhile, men favor the economy and national security.

Giving is satisfying, regardless of gender (Research that Grows Women’s Philanthropy) 

Women experience the greatest increase in life satisfaction when they donate more and men see greatest increase in life satisfaction when they become donors. 

Understanding the motivations behind women’s support can help organizations target this donor population more effectively, as they are more likely to give and make the decisions in the household. However, it’s also important to recognize their role as leaders and givers in the advancement of society by assisting people with the most basic needs.

Illustration by Lillian Finley / ASU Lodestar Center

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Illustration by Lillian Finley, ASU Lodestar Center.

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