How Women Are Rewriting the Rules of Giving 

by Joel R. Freedman, CFP®, CPWA®, Managing Director

Charitable giving is experiencing a powerful evolution — and women are at the forefront. Across generations and income levels, they are redefining philanthropy to make it more collaborative, values-driven, and focused on lasting impact. 

Explore the ways women are giving and strategies worth considering. 

Reshaping Philanthropy from Transactional to Transformational 

Today, women control one-third of all U.S. household financial assets, hold roughly 40% of global wealth, and influence or make an estimated 85% of family charitable decisions.¹ 

Rather than prioritizing large and flashy transactions, many women view philanthropy as a lifelong strategy rooted in values, community, and shared purpose. This mindset rooted in authenticity is driving measurable change. Recent research highlights what’s behind this shift: 

• Giving is deeply personal. Three in five women say philanthropy is extremely or very important to them — and closely tied to human needs close to home.² 

• Causes are people-centered. Women are more likely to support family members and invest in education, health care, food security, disaster relief, civil rights, and mutual aid.² 

• Younger women are creating momentum. Gen Z and Millennial women place greater importance on philanthropy than older generations, with affluent Black and Latina women expressing particularly strong financial confidence.² 

• Women give and engage more. Compared to men, women tend to give a higher percentage of their assets, support a broader range of causes, and stay involved through volunteering, advocacy, and hands-on leadership.¹ 

Why it matters: In the U.S., annual giving to organizations serving women and girls recently surpassed $11 billion, exceeding 2% of all charitable giving for the first time.³ 

How You Can Make an Impact 

If you want to integrate intentional charitable giving into your financial world, start by determining the values, causes, and charities that are meaningful to you. Don’t be afraid to think locally and globally. Once your priorities are clear, a variety of strategic tools are at your disposal: 

• Impact investing: Allocate capital through exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, or bonds that prioritize women-owned businesses or companies aligned with environmental stewardship, human rights, or strong corporate governance. 

• Donor-advised funds (DAFs): Give flexibly and tax-efficiently by contributing now, receiving an immediate deduction, and recommending grants over time. 

• Family foundations: Establish a foundation to formalize your giving and engage children and grandchildren in building a lasting philanthropic legacy. 

• Charitable trusts: Incorporate charitable trusts into your estate plan to support causes you care about while generating income for your heirs and potentially reducing estate taxes. 

• Qualified charitable distributions (QCDs): Satisfy your required minimum distributions (RMDs) by supporting eligible charities, while reducing your taxable income. 

Consult with your advisory team: With guidance from trusted experts these strategies can be tailored to your goals, values, and financial circumstances, ensuring your giving is both impactful and tax-efficient. 

Women & Philanthropy: A Brief Q&A 

Q: Why do women approach charitable giving differently? 
A: Women often take a holistic view of wealth, considering emotional, social, and long-term outcomes alongside financial ones. This leads to more collaborative, mission-focused, and strategic giving decisions that often empower women and girls. 

 Q: How much influence do women have over philanthropic decisions? 
A: Women influence or make an estimated 85% of family philanthropic decisions in the U.S., control about one-third of household financial assets, and hold roughly 40% of global wealth.¹ This growing financial influence is reshaping charitable priorities and impact. 

Q: How can involvement in giving strengthen family values? 
A: By including children and grandchildren in philanthropic decisions, you can help build financial literacy, encourage empathy, and foster a family culture around shared purpose and impact. 

Q: Can strategic philanthropy benefit my financial plan? 
A:Yes. Tools such as donor-advised funds, gifts of appreciated securities, and planned giving vehicles allow you to integrate charitable goals with tax planning, retirement strategies, and legacy planning. 

A Future Driven by Purpose 

Spearheaded by women committed to shaping the world they live in, the future of philanthropy emphasizes intentional, collaborative, and measurable giving. 

Our team of experts can tailor a charitable giving strategy that reflects your unique values, goals, and overall wealth plan. 

Let’s talk about what matters most to you. 

Sources 
¹ https://ssir.org/articles/entry/wealth-transfer-women-philanthropy 
² https://www.about.us.hsbc.com/newsroom/press-releases/transformative-giving-shift-among-women-across-generations 
³ https://scholarworks.indianapolis.iu.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/ebd4e8f9-d83f-4208-99a2-b27a65738b0c/content