A Challenge to Non-Profits: Invest in Women

Have you thought about how much of your organization's portfolio is invested in international stocks?  Despite a volatile US market and the problems with the European stock market, I guarantee you probably have at least 20% in international investments.  And that's without including US companies that have overseas operations.  

So, if you have 20% of your investments in global stocks, shouldn't you also be giving 20% of your grants abroad?  And where should those grants be made?  Author and New York columnist Nicholas Kristoff says, “The world is awakening to a powerful truth: women and girls aren’t the problem; they’re the solution.”

Corporations are beginning to understand what Kristoff is saying.  At President Clinton's annual philanthropy event, Merck, announced a $500-million commitment over the next decade to help reduce the number of women who die in pregnancy and childbirth.  The company will be working with Save the Children, among other groups.

The Exxon Mobil Foundation is giving $1.5-million to the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women to study how mobile-phone technology can help women entrepreneurs strengthen their business.

And Ford, Nike, NoVo and William and Flora Hewlett foundations announced a new partnership to reduce the number of girls who are forced into marriages before the age of 18.

Major corporations are taking the initiative, but ask yourselves, do you have women's health, business, or agricultural programs abroad to which you can give more funding?  Or can you initiate a cultural exchange, a women's art or music program?  One that would include a partner project with your non-profit.

Think about it and invest in women globally.  Lead the way with non-profits: organizations and institutions.  Partner with corporations.  The possibilities are endless.  And the outcome guaranteed.

Giving by African American Women

Michele Minter

I interviewed Michele Minter, formerly with Princeton University and now vice president for development at the College Board for our book, Women and Philanthropy: Boldly Shaping a Better World, and she had some very interesting observations about giving by women of color, in particular, African American women.

Minter pointed out that women are not a homogeneous group.  "Although the strength of race and gender affiliation in philanthropy has not been studied systematically, anecdotally there is evidence that African American women are more likely to identify first as black, and then as a woman.  This is important because words have different meanings within different cultural traditions."

For instance, Minter says that the word philanthropy is not used as much in black church traditions as the word stewardship.

She also states that a stumbling block for black women's giving is that nonprofit communication materials often lack images and vocabulary that help people of color see themselves presented, making it difficult for them to identify with the cause.

And finally, Minter discusses how racial and ethnic communities have rich traditions of social structures and networks that nonprofit leaders often fail to recognize.  "If organizations want to engage black women, they should recognize the power of churches, sororities, and civil rights organizations as partners that have credibility with their potential donors," Minter says.

Keeping all these important points in mind are critical to increasing diversity in women's giving.

Women and Peace: Women Transcending Borders

When my colleague, Carmen Stevens, and I conducted our generational research about women's philanthropy, we found that peace was the one objective all generations of women wanted.  Thus I wasn't surprised to see the article in the September 3, 2011 New York Times about the formation of a group called Women Transcending Boundaries following 9/11.  The organization was begun so women could better understand each others faiths.  One of the focuses of Women Transcending Boundaries is to organize international dinners to raise money for girls schools in Pakistan.

Just another inspiring example of women coming together to create change and bring about peace.  Further proof of the 6 C's of women's motivations to give: create, change, connect, commit, collaborate, and celebrate.  We surely celebrate Women Transcending Boundaries.

Communicating With Women

Eight Best Strategies to Communicate With Women

1. Talk to her; she influences couple giving as well as her own; a major reason women don't give is because they're not asked or spoken with.
2. Tell your story; make it brief, compelling, with a challenge that has been overcome. Help her identify with the story character.  When the story concludes, know she will want to support your cause.
3. Respect her intelligence and individuality; understand where she is in her life stage.
4. Use the 6 C's of women's motivations for giving; they are helpful in all conversations and communications.
5. Explain how societal issues will be impacted by her giving; show how her gift will be transformative.
6. Be aware of the importance of diversity to her; both on your boards and how her gift will be used.
7. Provide role models; help her see others who are involved, past and present.
8. Consider her capable of being bold and audacious; she will reward you with her entrepreneurial spirit.

I recently used these eight strategies at a seminar for the communication and development staff at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles and was very pleased with the feedback I received.

Women Inspire Corporate Philanthropy

According to a new paper from Christopher Marquis and Matthew Lee of the Harvard Business School, companies with more female senior managers give more money to charity.  The same study showed that companies with more female board members give more money.

Their conclusions are that since women tend to give more in general, women board members and senior managers are in a position to influence their company's giving.  Also, that women board members are more likely to come from the nonprofit world than are male board members and are more aware of nonprofit initiatives and the impact of corporate giving.

Because, according to a study from the Center for Women's Business Research found that half of women business owners with companies of more than $1 million in assets give at least $10,000 to charity annually compared to only 40% of men, a question remains as to whether women CEO's would give more money to nonprofits.  But unfortunately there are not enough women in this position yet to do a statistically accurate survey.  We have to believe that not only will there be more women CEO's but the research will show those companies with women CEO's also will give more.

The study, conducted with Fortune 500 companies to see which factors influence their generosity, is a very positive indicator of the ways women are changing philanthropy.

Check Out the New Book About Philanthropy

Inspired Legacies has just released a new book, Trusted Advisors for the Next Generation, available online. 


Tracy Gary, co-founder of Inspired Legacies selected a group of "expert investment and donor advisors to explore emerging trends in philanthropy and investment." I was very pleased to be included as an author in an article co-written with philanthropist activist Helen LaKelly Hunt entitled, "Women and Philanthropy: Why Women Are the Answer."


A quote from our chapter:  
"Voice without echo dies - which is why uniting with other women has been so empowering for us as donors.  Our drive to become actively engaged in managing our finances and our philanthropy arose because we wanted our money to reflect our values.  We found advisors who understood this.  And we feel it is crucial that "next generation" financial advisors recognize the importance of donor education in helping women find their voice - with their investments and within their philanthropy."

How Far Can A Woman Go?

I recently met Homa at the Women's Funding Network Conference and was enchanted not only with her, but with the concept. Homa the doll is preparing to set out on a fantastic journey, posing the question to all: How far can a woman go when she is supported? When she has an education? Health care? Infrastructure? Hope?

Homa  was lovingly crafted by a widowed woman in Afghanistan, a woman who uses her craft and creativity as a means to support herself and her family in challenging circumstances. Her creativity is her vehicle for empowerment.  As part of their Afghan Dolls Project, Rising International has helped to support and empower over 60 widows in Kabul by offering them a market for their dolls.

And now, Homa is preparing to set out on an inspiring  journey around the globe where she will be hosted by supporting organizations and individuals. Her first part of the journey began when she visited the Women’s Funding Network conference in Brooklyn. 

We can all join the fun and follow Homa on her journey by “friending” Homa on her Facebook page.

And best yet, you can adopt a doll for yourself and truly be a part of supporting what Homa is all about… asking how far can a woman go when she has the support she needs. 

Carmel Jud, Executive Director of  Rising International with Homa preparing for the Human Race for Change.