The Women's Funding Network and Collective Power

My daughter-in-law, Christina Shaw, and I recently had lunch in San Francisco with Chris Grumm, President and CEO of the Women's Funding Network (WFN).  We had a pleasant chat about the problems associated with owning an older home, the upcoming holidays and the past and future of women's philanthropy.

I asked Chris, based on all she has accomplished with and for women and girls, what four important programs remain to be done.  She said we need to:

    -provide women with surround services such as child and health care
    -increase the number of business development opportunities for women
    -help women with asset development
    -provide more training and education to help women become economically independent

These four important services will be the focus of the Network's fundraising for the future. But Chris says in a December 26, 2010 article in Women's eNews:

"To do that, we need a movement of people conducting research, identifying solutions and mobilizing opinion and lawmaking.

We also need an overall vision of the sort of balanced society that we seek, where women and girls have a chance to reach their fullest potential. Otherwise we are all left struggling with the deadening consequences of poverty and inequality across the board.

To serve this vision, leaders in women's philanthropy know we must scale up our movement building.

The Women Moving Millions Campaign -- our partnership with visionary philanthropists Swanee and Helen LaKelly Hunt – is just the start of what we can achieve through our collective power."

Chris has set the bar very high for all of us working with women and philanthropy.  I know how very different the world is now from even ten years ago because of the presence and activity of women's funds.  Attention has been created through the funds themselves, the WFN, and attention from the media.  Now we need to turn this focus into action so Chris' four  programs will be mainstreamed and funded, not only by women's funds, but by foundations, men, and everyone who cares about what our world should look like and be about.

New Research Shows that Women in Developing Regions are More Generous Than Men

Emma Turner
Head of Client Philanthropy
Barclays Wealth

A study just released shows that women in the emerging countries of South America as well as South Africa and the Middle East, give more than men and are taking the lead. 

The survey of 2,000 millionaires around the globe and authored by Ledbury Research on behalf of Barclays Wealth in London found that in these regions, “19% of wealthy women spend more than five hours a week on charitable endeavors, compared to just 7% of wealth men in their region or only 7% of wealth European women.”  The study concludes that it is wealthy women in the developing regions who are driving the growth of philanthropy.

After doing some more digging, I found that a July 2009 report from Barclay’s had this to say about women and giving from research of 500 net worth individuals in the UK and the US (all with investable assets of $5m).  This research complements the new research being released today by the Women's Philanthropy Institute at the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University.

Women Rise to the Fore

Findings revealed that women are playing an increasingly important role in driving the charitable agenda and that women are more generous than men, giving away a higher percentage (2.3 per cent) of their net investable assets than their male counterparts (1.3 per cent). This trend was accentuated in the US where women give almost twice as much in percentage of their investable assets.

The report also suggests that women's role in the future of philanthropy goes beyond being more generous than men and that they will also play a key role in influencing future generations' attitudes towards giving. The findings showed that women (38 per cent) were much more likely than men (25 per cent) to involve their children in general conversations about charity. They would also be more likely than men to involve their children in the processes of choosing the charity their family contributes to." 

Kudos for all this great information goes to Emma Turner, Head of Client Philanthropy at Barclays Wealth.  Turner previously worked at Goldman Sachs where she held a similar position.

A Heartfelt Thank You

We are so grateful to all of you - our family, friends, colleagues and partners - for your wonderful support of us and our new book this past year! Wishing each of you a healthy, safe and very Happy Thanksgiving! Fondly, Sondra Shaw-Hardy, Martha A. Taylor and Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz and Bella.

Joy's Letter to Meg Whitman

Joy Picus

My wonderful friend, Joy Picus from Los Angeles, has spoken for so many of us in her open letter to Meg Whitman.  Joy is a columnist for the Women's Foundation of CA blog.  Do read what she has to say to Ms Whitman about where she might well have spent her money.

Although we do want more women to run for and win political office, perhaps they should consider other ways to spend their considerable wealth rather than or aside from running for office.

They did well, now it's time for them to "do good."  That's what we expect of women because, as the Dalai Lama recently said, "The world will be saved by Western women." You go girls.

Women's Purchasing Power and Nike

Girl Power

After the Tiger Woods debacle, I decided not to buy any more Nike shoes or clothing.  I thought Nike hadn't kept very good track of their star who was making millions of dollars for them as well as for himself.  Although I knew my singular action (I did share my intentions with some others) might not make a big difference, nonetheless, I knew that women's purchasing power was huge (we do make 83% of all consumer decisions) and other women might also be feeling the same as I was.

Peter and Jennifer Buffett

But now I see that Nike is partnering with Jennifer and Peter Buffett's NoVo Foundation for a campaign called the Girl Effect.  The article in November 10 New York Times, "Nike Harnesses 'Girl Effect' Again," made me curious.  So I watched the video clip that was mentioned and was transformed.  I sent it to my granddaughters as well.  And guess what, my next pair of walking shoes will be Nike's!

Congratulations Nike on returning to your successful 1995 campaign theme about girls, on your outstanding video (already it has been watched more than 1.7 million times), and for partnering with the NoVo Foundation.  May women's purchasing power return now to Nike because of its good works.

"Upholding Our Half: Making the Case for Women's Philanthropy"

At last week's book signing with me on the left, Lisa Witter, author of "The She Spot" in the middle and Martha Taylor on the right.

Wow!  What a conference last week in Chicago put on by CASE and WPI who also sponsored a very successful book signing for Martha and me.  The sessions and presenters, including Indiana University's first lady, Laurie Burns McRobbie, were all superb.  I took extensive notes to create some "takeaways" and some of the topics mentioned most frequently were:

• it's just plain "smart" to focus on women as donors because of women's earning potential and their expected inheritance (some will even inherit twice; from parents and from spouse)
• women's philanthropy should be institutionalized and the culture of giving at our institutions and organizations changed to recognize women's potential and contributions 
• more donor education is necessary and it's best to conduct the education sessions with more than one woman
• development offices ought to work more closely with financial advisors who still need to better understand the importance of women and philanthropy
• both internal and external champions within the institution are necessary to develop a women's philanthropy initiative
• crediting and acknowledging women's and couple's gifts continue to remain an enormous problem
• there are differences between the perceptions of women who have earned versus inherited their wealth and perhaps another category is necessary to represent those that don't quite fit either one
• social media is a rising star on the horizon of women's philanthropy
• an important topic to women is children and wealth 

I loved what one person said: women should be encouraged to "pick up the keys to their kingdom," or as one person said, "the queendom."  Anyway, that's what the conference meant to me: learning more about how to make this happen.

Everyone agreed that the new research, "Women Give 2010," released by the Center on Philanthropy and the Women's Philanthropy Institute is extremely important and we recognized the need to support more research through our contacts and our cash. 

As you can tell, it was a great exchange of ideas and a terrific forum for addressing the future of women's philanthropy.  Following are some additional photos I took at the conference.

Kay Chalk, trustee from East Carolina University and Martha

Robin Feldman from CASE; Trish Jackson, conference chair and VP for Development at Smith College; Andrea Pactor, associate director at the Women's Philanthropy Institute; and Eugene Tempel, president of the Indiana University Foundation

Martha and Maureen Dembski, Director of Development, Midwest, University of Wisconsin Foundation

Women and Do It Yourself Foreign Aid

Check out the recent (October 24) New York Times Magazine.  It's all about women including an interview with Melinda Gates and an great article about women creating their own foreign aid through their philanthropy.

Women Give More Than Men to Charity Study Shows

Dr. Debra Mesch

Women across nearly every income level gave significantly more to charity than men, nearly twice as much in some cases, according to a study, Women Give 2010, by the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University.

Nonprofits have long suspected that women were the driving forces behind many of the gifts they receive, but they haven't had much proof. But the results of this study are so decisive and consistent, they can stop wondering, said Debra Mesch, director of the university's Women's Philanthropy Institute.

The study offered several factors the researchers thought contributed to the growing generosity of women: More women are working and their incomes have grown, more have college degrees that yield greater earning power, and the percentage of women who make more money than their working husbands is now about 26 percent.

The study released Thursday found women give more in every income bracket except one: Those with incomes of between $23,509 and $43,500.

The data used for the study was not broken down by gender, so researchers looked solely at households headed by single men or single women, including adults who have been divorced, widowed or never married. They looked at the donating patterns of about 8,000 American households.

Previous research has shown that women encourage their husbands to give to charity and that women seem to be making a lot of charitable decisions in married households, but it's difficult to get hard data on those trends.

"I think the general assumption is that women might be more likely to give, but that they give less money," Mesch said.

That assumption is only half true, according to the analysis of data from a 2007 Center on Philanthropy study. Women gave more often than men and spread out their giving to different charities, but they also give more in total dollars, Mesch said.

"It's going to be a wake-up call that I better pay attention to women," Mesch said.

Where Are The Men?

Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz

In researching articles about women's philanthropy for our book, Women and Philanthropy: Boldly Shaping a Better World, it became very clear that the super majority of articles were penned by women.  And the tradition continues.  For example, the articles in the publication, Woman to Woman, featuring Buffy (co-author of our book) and giving by women in Howard County, MD, were written by Laura Linley.  Another recent article from the Baltimore area, "Charitable Giving: Women's Philanthropy Emerges as a Force," for The Daily Record, was also written by a woman: Betsy Nelson. 

I think back to Anne Matthews writing that seminal article in the New York Times Magazine in 1991, "Alma Maters Court Their Daughters; Holly Hall's numerous articles, beginning with "Cultivating Philanthropy by Women," for the Chronicle of Philanthropy; Erin Strout's article about courting and reaching female donors in the Chronicle of Higher Education; the People magazine article in 1998 about the Washington Women's Foundation that motivated so many of us to start giving circles; and Joanna Krotz many articles for the annual issue of Town&Country.

On the one hand I mightily applaud all the women in the media who have brought women's philanthropy to the forefront.  But I also greatly lament the lack of men in the media who have written about women's philanthropy.  Where are you?  There are a few "good men" but many more are needed to give validity to a very valid subject impacting all of human kind: women's philanthropy and how it is reshaping not only philanthropy, but the world as well.

Power, Politics and Philanthropy

I thought it interesting that, in an interview by Jeff Zucker with Nancy Pelosi this morning, she said, ”I never intended to be involved in politics.  I saw it as an extension of being a mother.  What drives my engine in the morning are the one in four children who live in poverty.  I’m motivated by family.  To answer your question, being Speaker is an incredible, historic honor, but it’s nothing like a newborn baby or grandbaby.  Women can be a unifying force in our country.  It’s important not to have the debate be venomous.  There’s so much at stake.  We have to honor our responsibility to make the future better for our children.  Increasing communication among women will power the future.  Know your power."

Women in politics and women in philanthropy share the same values: children, family, honor, unifying, responsibility, a better future, communication.  And they share the same one of the same methods: understand and know your power.  Go Nancy.

The Asian American Women's Giving Circle and Hali Lee

Although I have not personally met Hali Lee, I feel she is a good friend as I interviewed her for the book, Women’s Giving Circles: Reflections From the Founders, published by the Women’s Philanthropy Institute in August 2009 and we became fast phone friends.  Hali is shown here with her family on their trip to Korea this past summer in celebration of her dad’s 90^th birthday.

Hali is the founder of the Asian Women’s Giving Circle (AWGC) and they are having a big event on Wednesday, September 29 at the Museum of Chinese in America, 215 Center Street, New York City.

The Asian Women’s Giving Circle is a group of Asian American women pooling their money to fund other Asian women in NYC who, according to Hali, “Use their tools of art to further a social equity goal.  We work together to raise resources to support Asian American women-led social change organizations in New York City’s under served community.  We raise resources and philanthropists.  Every donor helps decide which projects are funded.”

At the event on the 29^th, there will be “works in progress” such as a film that examines stereotypes of Asian American women in the media, a music video that raises awareness about sex-trafficking, a documentary about mental illness and suicide in the Asian American community, a multi-media summer workshop for low-income immigrant girls who lives with the legacy of war, and a multi-media art project that features interviews with laundromat customers to show the shifting demographics in NYC neighborhoods.

In its fifth year of raising resources and philanthropists, the AWGC has raised and distributed over $350,000 for thirty-nine projects of individual artists and community-based organizations.  Their goal this year is to raise $100,000.

I applaud Hali and all the women who are part of this fantastic circle of women givers.

Bella and the Book

Well, UPS delivered our new book two weeks after we welcomed our new puppy, Bella, a toy poodle.  Life is pretty exciting and someone, after seeing the picture said there should be one of Bella chewing the book.  Why not, she chews everything else.  But she is darling and we are so excited about seeing the book in its entirety.  We thank everyone who helped make it possible and hope to hear from you.  Do let us know what you liked or would want to hear more about.

The Center on Philanthropy and Patrick Rooney Discuss the Importance of Women's Philanthropy

Patrick Rooney

In the Center on Philanthropy's recent publication of Philanthropy Matters, I was delighted to see a piece hailing the future of women's philanthropy by the Center's executive director, Patrick Rooney. The Women's Philanthropy Institute and women everywhere are so very fortunate to have a great university like the Center at the University of Indiana, do much needed academic research into women's giving and how to change the ways people think about women's philanthropy. The Center and the Women's Philanthropy Institute are involved in two upcoming conferences about women's philanthropy and are are listed on the right side of this blog.

Here is just the beginning of all the important and credible things Patrick had to say.  You can read the rest of the editorial by going to the current issue of Philanthropy Matters.


What Matters: Philanthropy's Tipping Point

Dated: Aug 24, 2010
If I had a crystal ball, I’d say women’s philanthropy is likely to be one of the prevailing issues of the 21st century for the nonprofit sector. Despite greater awareness and the fact that the trajectory of women’s philanthropy is escalating exponentially, we haven’t reached the tipping point or begun to realize the benefits of women’s giving capacity, participation and leadership. The research unquestionably shows that women have the desire, drive and capacity to give, but society and nonprofit professional practice have yet to catch up.
Women’s philanthropic clout is clear. Women are driving social change, and changing philanthropy in the process.

Universities Teach us to be Critical Thinkers

Dr. Connie Curran

From Contributor Martha Taylor


A real joy in life is meeting new women philanthropists. I had the
pleasure of meeting Dr. Connie Curran recently in Chicago. Dr. Curran is one of the leading health care professionals in the country. She has
founded three companies and held a variety of executive positions in
academic and academic health care organizations. She is also one of the
most prolific scholars in the field with more than 200 publications and
several research programs to her credit. 


One of the most inspiring aspects of her life is her philanthropy.  She is active with the University of Wisconsin-Madison and serves as a trustee for DePaul University. She believes in the power of higher education. Dr. Curran said at a recent event: "When we think of our lives and what has influenced us to be successful human beings, we must look at our university education that taught us how to be critical thinkers and gave us good lives. It is important for us to think of giving back, by making a gift that is meaningful." She is a role model in her own giving to higher education and other non profits.

Institutionalizing Women's Philanthropy: Creating a Critical Mass

Lesley Stahl
WOWOWOW

More and more websites are dedicated to women and women's issues such as It's All About Women and WOWOWOW started by such luminary names as Lesley Stahl, Jean Chatzky, Liz Smith, Candice Bergen, Lily Tomlin and Marlo Thomas.  Both sites are very interesting and provide a great deal of information ranging from money to relationships.  However, neither prominently mentions women's philanthropy.  In fact, WOWOWOW has a heading called "Sheconomics" which has five subcategories: earn, grow, invest, save, and spend.  Nothing about give.

I thought about this and decided to write the two sites and strongly suggest they add the category of philanthropy.  In our new book, Women and Philanthropy: Boldly Shaping a Better World, Debra Mesch and Andrea Pactor from the Women's Philanthropy Institute at the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, suggest that in order for women's philanthropy to become institutionalized, a critical mass needs to be formed.  What better advocates for creating a critical mass of women philanthropists and all that would mean, than websites devoted to women?  I applaud both sites in that other than the ads, they do not focus on fashion and makeup.  But wouldn't it be nice if they advocated an outcome of women's issues?  An outcome that will change the world because of the different ways women give.

As a sample of what to say, here is a modified version of what I wrote: 

I very much enjoy your website and glad to see it devoted solely to topics of interest to women.  And in that vein, I hope that you will add philanthropy as one of your topics.  Women's philanthropy is a leading topic of the day as women control more money, earn more money, give away more money, and influence couple giving.   

Based on research from the Women's Philanthropy Institute at the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, women's philanthropy is quite different from men's and women's way of giving is becoming the norm in philanthropy, as women set out to create a better world.  

Your support of women’s philanthropy is crucial as a major factor in women’s lives and that of people all over the world.  Please help create a critical mass of women as philanthropists and institutionalize women's philanthropy, by recognizing it as a separate and very important topic for your website.

PS
On my August 23 blog, I wrote about Bolder Giving receiving $650,000 from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Anne Ellinger from Bolder Giving informs me that there is more to the story: in order to receive the money, Bolder Giving must match the grant by raising $200,000 annually in a three year challenge.  Anne said she wanted people to know that as wonderful as the support is, they still need your contributions.

The "Joy" of Knowing Joy

Joy Picus

I thank the Internet for my friendship with philanthropist and former Los Angeles City Council member, Joy Picus.  We have corresponded for at least ten years and Joy has always surprised me with choice articles from the West Coast about women and philanthropy.  We have also shared our latest activities and I am still trying to get her to write her memoir using my daughter, Heather Shaw’s, Write/Memory. 

Her latest gift and project is a the Joy Picus Child Development Center in downtown Los Angeles.  Because of our respect, admiration and love for this woman, Joy is prominently mentioned in our new book, Women and Philanthropy, as a philanthropist, leader in raising funds for Jewish causes, and a supporter of political candidates. 

When Joy emailed me that she had been asked by the Women's Foundation of California to write on its blog, I was delighted.  Her stories under the title, “Women are Changing Philanthropy," are priceless as to how she became a philanthropist (working with Martha Taylor) and how she managed with the “old boys” as part of the Women's Philanthropy Council at the University of Wisconsin Foundation.

Kudos Joy.  We look forward to many more of your writings and wisdom.

Melinda Gates Says Bolder Giving Was an Impetus for the Billionaire Pledge Campaign

Anne and Christopher
Ellinger

June 25 I wrote on this blog about Boston couple, Anne and Christopher Ellinger's Bolder Giving effort to raise money from people across the economic spectrum to think about how to donate a higher percentage of their assets and become effective philanthropists who can inspire and collaborate with others.  Well, yesterday's Seattle Times says that Melinda Gates has credited Bolder Giving, started in 2007,  with being an impetus behind the campaign to persuade the world’s billionaires to commit at least half of their fortunes to charity.  Im early May, the small three-year-old organization  got a call from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, "out of the blue" with an offer to support its work.  Six weeks later Bolder Giving received a $675,000 grant from the foundation to expand its reach.


Congratulations Anne and Christopher and if you haven't yet made the Bolder Giving pledge, please do so soon as a tribute to the Ellingers and a way to bring more joy into your life and others through philanthropy.

A Story of Faith, Hope and Love

"Dreams in Her Eyes"

I was researching the Atlanta Women's Foundation in preparation for a gathering there on September 23 where I am speaking and I found a wonderful video called "Dreams in Her Eyes."  It was a gift to the Foundation from the Turner Broadcasting system and I can't describe how moving it was.  The music was beautiful and the photos haunting and memorable.  The video made you aware of the issues but also provided hope.  I was totally captivated. Some of the phrases that especially resonated with me were:

• "there are dreams in every woman's face"
• "stories in her eyes"
• "by supporting the Atlanta Women's Foundation, it well may change our own story as well"

Beautiful, beautiful and you can watch it by going to the Atlanta Women's Foundation website.

Congratulations Joyce Miles, Martha Taylor and Women for Florida State

I first met Joyce (pictured left) at Purdue University when we both were speaking at a conference for the College of Consumer and Family Sciences.  Since then our paths have crossed several times and she has always been a strong advocate for women and philanthropy initiatives at universities.  Her latest success is Florida State University.  Knowing from Martha Taylor (on the right) and others, the benefits of women's philanthropy initiatives to both women as donors and universities, Joyce, as a donor, has been working on helping establish a program at FSU for several years.  She even arranged for me to do a focus group and speak to their board and administration a few years ago (sometimes it takes a while for a program to get underway).  But most of all, it takes a Joyce to spearhead it.

Joyce just sent me to their new website and I am delighted to welcome Women for Florida State into the consortium of over forty universities with women and philanthropy initiatives.  The importance of these programs cannot be overemphasized.  They not only identify and provide additional funding for universities, but more importantly, they help women develop leadership opportunities and have a say in how and where universities allocate their donations.  My friend and colleague Martha Taylor from the University of Wisconsin-Madison knew that when she helped launch the first women's philanthropy initiative (Women's Philanthropy Council) at a public university in 1988 and she has been a leader ever since.

Here is what FSU says about why it formed "The Women for Florida State:"

• increase awareness of opportunities for women to stay actively engaged in life at the university;
• educate the community on the vital role women play in the past, present and future of Florida State;
• mentor the next generation of women leaders and philanthropists;
• provide a vehicle for members to communicate effectively;
• and recognize and celebrate accomplishments of the women of Florida State.

I love not only the concept of course, but the website and the way it features photos of "now and then" and connects with women.  Be sure to check it out and thank you Martha for the original concept and Joyce for its fulfillment.

Women & Co. and the Nine C's of Women's Philanthropy

Linda Descano, president of Women & Co.

I am pleased to share with you what Citibank's Women & Co. currently has on their website and will be publishing in their August print newsletter, Wisdom, Wealth and Giving, focusing on women and philanthropy.  The title of the article is The Nine C's of Women's Philanthropy which can be accessed by clicking on the title.  They have asked me to be a contributor to Women & Co. and I am honored to do so.  I'm already planning my next column about "bold and audacious" women givers.


The Women & Co. website is a superb resource for women to learn more about family and money, life stages & planning, estate and legacy, credit, financing education, insurance & long term care, real estate, retirement, taxes and of course, philanthropy.  Everything you need to know is all right there and easy to maneuver around and work with.

Linda Descano is the president of Women & Co. and I interviewed her for our new book, Women and Philanthropy: Boldly Shaping a Better World.  In the book she says that women are self-identifying themselves as Chief Financial Officers of their families and as positive role models.  She says, "They have taken on a much broader role and are shaping their families financial values: one of those is giving back.  They are looking at how to align their investments with their philanthropy.  How to be more strategic philanthropists and get their kids involved."

If you haven't already looked at Women & Co's. website, I urge you to do so.  It's chock full of great information and stories about women and philanthropy as well as very readable and interesting financial advice.

Challenge or Collaborate

Helen and Swanee Hunt
Women Moving Millions

Warren Buffett and Bill Gates
Billion Dollar Challenge

I've been thinking a great deal about the Gates/Buffet Billionaire Challenge to raise $650 billion from billionaires.  Although I'm surely in favor of more money going to nonprofits and recognize the potential, something bothers me.  It's the same type fundraising as is done in most capital campaigns.  It's all about using competition to get people to give.

This definitely was not the method used by Women Moving Millions.  Now granted, we're talking millions here, not billions.  But you have to start somewhere and look at how successful the women were: by not using competition.  They used connection and collaboration and yes, the rest of the 6 C's of women's giving as well: change, create, commit and now they are celebrating.  The money was raised because of the need, not just because of who asked them to give.  There was no challenge involved unless it was a collaborative one of getting the goal completed (which was done and more).

Again, I don't want to negate the methods being used in the billion dollar campaign as let's face it, most billionaires are men and this is the way men have traditionally raised money--through challenging one another--through competition.

My daughter's significant other brought this home to me recently when he decided that if women could raise $8,000 at a potluck (see the July 26 post), his male friends would do the same.  He said their motive would be that they wouldn't want to have the other men think they couldn't or wouldn't participate.  This is so very different from the way we raised our money.  It was because of the cause: to help women in dire need in the community.

In the last chapter of our new book, "Women and Philanthropy: Boldly Shaping a Better World," we talk about what the world would be like if the ways women give became the ways all people give.  That remains to be seen and I hope I'm around to see the results...when women are the billionaires and making the giving decisions.  Perhaps there won't be a need for challenges because women will already be giving at least 50% of their assets to non-profits.  To be generous and compassionate because they know it's the right thing to do.

mAIDens of Michigan

Today an article appeared in the Traverse City Record Eagle about mAIDens of Michigan and how we just raised $8,000 at a potluck for women.  Shown here in the photo is my dear friend, Brenda Biederman, and me holding our food in her kitchen.


Brenda founded mAIDens in 2008 sending out invitations to her "girlfriends" to come to her house, and bring a dish to pass as well as a personal donation.

I had heard about a woman in Washington DC that had her friends come for a potluck dinner once a month and contribute what it would cost them to go out to a nice dinner to support local women in need.  I told Brenda about it and she said, "We can do that here." And so, after four potlucks, we have raised $27,000.

We contact local human service organizations to get stories of women who need some help that will make a positive change in their lives.  Two particularly gratifying stories are two women who needed restorative dental work.  Through grants from mAIDens, they both received a full set of teeth and gained the confidence to secure full time work.

A small committee receives the applications and grants all the money until the next potluck where the stories of whom we have helped are shared.

My daughter-in-law was here from Atlanta over the weekend and when she saw the article she said she could do the same thing back home.  In fact, we hope others will feel the same way and we'll eventually have mAIDens for Michigan all over the state.

Women's Corporate Influence

As reported in research from the Center on Philanthropy, women are a strong influence on couple giving.  Would Bill Gates have given as much without Melinda, he says probably not and it wouldn’t be as much fun.

Taking this concept a step further, what role can women play in corporate giving and investment?  If women used their influence, what dollars could be unlocked to be given and invested.  Not only women who are in positions of power within the companies and on their boards, but spouses of the men who serve in those positions.

I recently read Fareed Zakaria’s column and Jon Meachem’s editorial in Newsweek.  They suggested that the private sector could unleash a corporate stimulus similar to the government’s stimulus package.  They threw out a challenge.  “The Federal Reserve recently reported that America’s 500 largest nonfinancial companies have accumulated an astonishing $1.8 trillion of cash on their balance sheets.  By any calculation (for example, as a percentage of assets, this is higher than it has been in almost half a century.  And yet, most corporations are not spending this money on new plants, equipment or workers…[Such] investments would likely have greater effect and staying power than a government stimulus.”

We know that despite some inroads, most corporate CEO’s are males, as are a majority of the board members of the largest corporations.  All of whom most likely have spouses.  What if these spouses were to suggest that the corporations give more to charity and invest more in the future of America?  Would women have the same kind of influence on corporate giving as they do on the couple’s individual giving?  Maybe not but perhaps we should try.  Try being bold not only in family giving but in influencing corporate giving and investment through our husband's positions.  Just a thought.

Women are Making Household Philanthropic Decisions and Maintaining Giving in the US

Although overall philanthropic giving was down in 2009, it was not as drastic as during the 1974 recession, according to the Giving USA Foundation, chaired by Edith Falk, and the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University.

The study authors at the Center theorize that charitable giving is in a stronger position now than it was three decades ago and average household giving has increased because:

“The fundraising profession has matured and expanded with greater numbers of people being solicited, and women—who make most philanthropic decisions and who are likely to give more than men with similar incomes—now represent 50 percent of the labor force, providing them with more control of their own resources.”

You can read Giving USA’s press release which provides a three-page overview of the study at Giving USA.

Philanthropy and Town&Country Magazine

I am hoping the July issue of Town&Country all about philanthropy won't be the last issue concerning this important subject.  With Pamela Fiori leaving the position of editor in chief, I worry about that happening as she was the impetus eight years ago to have an annual philanthropy issue.  And this July issue is so thin and without all the ads we've come to expect, unless the companies whose products are featured because they contribute to causes, paid for being included.

Was this issue so slender because T&C was feeling charitable and didn't include the usual gems and gowns? Was it because the advertising staff couldn't or didn't do their job? Or is this the end of what everyone I know always waits for; T&C's annual philanthropy issue.  Let's hope that this wonderful affirmation of the importance of philanthropy lives on through a continuous issue devoted to giving.

There were so many inspiring stories of women and men and their causes that it is hard to pick out any in particular, but some of the women that I was particularly taken with were:

Young Audiences of New York (I recall beginning a chapter of Young Audiences in Traverse City and so glad to see the program is still viable) and Kim Greenberg, chair of the board of directors.

Studio in a School founded by Agnes Gund.

Rachel's Network founded by Winsome McIntosh.  I am proud to say that the Women's Philanthropy Institute did some consulting with this group several years ago.

Hope in Bloom founded by Roberta Dehman Herson.  I can't help but think this idea could be something we all could do.

Elevate Destinations created by Dominique Callimanopulos.  The idea of "donor travel" is so appealing to us all.

Jena Gardner and her Traveler's Collection that aids women artisans.

Lauren Bush's Feed Projects and her stylish feed bags.

Donna Karan's Urban Zen.  I recently read that her favorite C's are compassion, care, cashmere, candles and cotton while our favorite C's of women's giving are: create, change, commit, connect, collaborate, and celebrate.

And finally, my friend and colleague, Joanna Krotz who always writes for T&C's philanthropy issue interview with Sheryl WuDunn, coauthor of Half the Sky.

Bolder Giving Challenges

Years ago I spoke with the late Claude Rosenberg on a rainy, cold day in San Francisco.  Claude’s 1994 book, Wealthy and Wise: How You and America Can Get the Most Out of Your Giving, advocated giving from assets and how doing so would double the amount of philanthropy annually.  Those were extraordinary ideas and some even felt outrageous.  But I was struck by his ideas of challenging millionaires to give more and deeply humbled to be in his presence, which lives on through his organization, the New Tithing Group.  

When I saw the Buffet Gates Billionaire Challenge, I was reminded of Claude (shown here with  children in a childcare school he created).  After pulling out his book, I had totally forgotten that he inscribed it to me and written, “To Sondra Shaw-Hardy with great respect for what you are doing (and have done) for Women in Philanthropy.  Warmest regards, Claude.  1-12-98.”   I was so touched to reread this.

Now, some 14 years later, the Buffet Gates Billionaire Challenge takes off from where Claude began, only with billionaires this time rather than millionaires (think how much money has been generated in those 14 years to take this kind of leap--from millionaire to billionaire).  As thrilling as this is, what  Anne and Christopher Ellinger are doing with their Bolder Giving Challenge is even more exciting.  They have a challenge for everyone, not just billionaires or millionaires.  But for all of us. 

By signing the Bolder Giving Challenge, you pledge to explore ways to become bolder in your giving, give more (could be time as well as money), more effectively, become more fulfilled as a giver, and encourage others to give. 

I’ve signed up as number 124 and plan to be one of the 500 Bolder Givers by July 15.  I encourage you to do so as well by going to www.boldergiving.org.  How wonderful to see Claude’s ideas live on through women like Melinda Gates and Anne Ellinger.

Foundations and Diversity: Glass Pockets

Those of us who have been promoting women and philanthropy for so many years are keenly aware of the part that diversity has played in increasing our numbers as givers and as leaders.

Today, the Chronicle of Philanthropy published a column by Dr. Emmett D. Carson, the respected chief executive officer of Silicon Valley Community Foundation, in Mountain View, California .  

I first met Dr. Carson several years ago when he was a speaker at a conference I attended and was thrilled to hear him point out the need to bring diversity to the attention of the philanthropic world.

His column addresses a new Florida law that prohibits the State of Florida or local governments from requiring foundations to disclose certain demographic data about board and staff members, as well as grantees, without the written permission of those involved.  The law also prohibits the state from requiring a diverse board or requiring a foundation to make grants based on demographic information.  The demographic data covered by the new law include "race, religion, gender, national origin, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, and political-party registration of its employees, officers, directors, trustees, members, or owners."

In his column, Dr. Carson says, "During the McCarthy-era hearings, the chair of the Carnegie Corporation of New York said, “"We think that the foundation should have glass pockets."”

He goes on to say, “In the years since, foundations have largely embraced the values of diversity, accountability, and openness as a way of recognizing and protecting the enormous freedom and flexibility that foundations enjoy to do their work.”  But the new Florida law does just the opposite.  It not only raises questions about the values foundations have but it also could have significant limits on tax deductions of donors.

While Dr. Carson concurs that government should not decide who sits on boards and receives grants, he points out that, “the idea that government is prohibited from requesting diversity data …undermines the promise that foundations have made to the American public that they are committed to diversity, inclusiveness, accountability, and transparency in their operations.”

Dr. Carson concludes by cautioning, “the Florida law is likely to create a state-by-state battleground that will lead to the need for a federal law.  If we do not forcefully respond to this challenge, we should not be surprised when there are Congressional hearings and our claims of “glass pockets” fall on deaf ears.”

For a complete reading of the article, go to: http://philanthropy.com/article/Opinion-Florida-Law-Makes-It/65856/?sid=&utm_source=&utm_medium=en 

Melinda Gates and Couple Giving

When Melinda Gates announced this week that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation was pledging $1.5-bllion for women and children, the announcement reminded me of what I read a couple of years ago in Fortune Magazine.  In an interview with Warren Buffett, he was asked if he would have given the Gates Foundation his fortune if Melinda were not in the picture, to which he replied, “That’s a great question.  And the answer is, I’m not sure.”  Buffett went on to say that he believes that Melinda makes Bill a better decision-maker.  “He’s smart as hell, obviously, but in terms of seeing the whole picture, she’s smarter.”

And see the whole picture she does.  One cannot but speculate that Melinda had a great deal to do with the recent gift.  In fact, Bill said about philanthropy in that same article, “I don’t think it would be fun to do on my own and I don’t think I’d do as much of it.”

As we have reported in our new book, Women and Philanthropy: Boldly Shaping a Better World, to be published by Jossey-Bass in September, Gates’ remarks bear out what we hear across the board: in focus groups, research done by the Center on Philanthropy as well as a 2009 Fidelity study.  Women have a strong influence on their spouses and on couple philanthropy.

Thank you Melinda for challenging the notion that high maternal and child deaths are unavoidable and for urging leaders of governments and other institutions around the world to make women’s and children’s health a higher priority.  And thank you Bill for listening to and acting on your wife’s interests.  May you both continue to be models for all couples.

Congratulations Ellen Remmer

I recently wrote about the launch of a women’s foundation in Dublin, Ireland and had no idea that Ellen Remmer, a friend and champion of women’s philanthropy, was a speaker until seeing a report in a Dublin newspaper article  about the meeting and Ellen’s presence.

Along with the president of Ireland, Mary McAleese who also spoke, who could be a better advocate for women’s philanthropy and women’s issues than Ellen. She is the president and CEO of The Philanthropy Institute (TPI) in Boston and active in her family’s foundation that supports helping disadvantaged girls take charge of their lives. 

Ellen has always been a strong supporter of women and philanthropy and has advanced it in her own competent and confident way; both quietly and effectively. She also serves on the Council of the Women’s Philanthropy Institute at the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University.

In an interview conducted while Ellen was in Dublin, she said that regardless of which charities or causes one supports, she is adamant that it’s not just those with money who can make a difference.

‘‘Money is a powerful tool and gives you a place at the table and allows you the flexibility to do things, but the thing I have learned is that it is about deciding you are empowered to be able to change things.

‘It is just easier if you have money, but in fact, we all can play that role. Money is just a tool, but just giving money without the rest of the package is not going to be very powerful.

‘That’s part of what strategic philanthropy is - you are getting smarter and smarter about an issue, you know the right people to bring into it and that’s how you get the leverage."

You can read more about Ellen on her blog.