Members of the WPAB with Kathleen Loehr after her presentation at the Big Ten Development Conference
The Women’s Philanthropic Advisory Board’s first activity as a group was to read Gender Matters: A Guide to Growing Women’s Philanthropy by Kathleen Loehr. The book is a deep dive into research surrounding women’s involvement in philanthropy over the past decade and gives tangible, practical steps to increase philanthropic support from women. The powerful book details the shocking numbers, but it goes beyond the statistics and also brings a heart and soul to development, broadcasting the unique talents, interests, and behavior of women when it comes to giving back.
The Board was so inspired by Kathleen’s work, and they suggested she be involved in the Big Ten Development Conference, an annual gathering of development professionals across the Big Ten schools, to be hosted by Penn State in July 2019.
Kathleen’s keynote presentation at the conference was engaging and enlightening. Her key research findings show that pre-Boomer women influence 73 percent of household philanthropic giving, while millennial women influence 84 percent. Women’s giving is spread across more organizations, and it often involves children, grandchildren, or other younger relatives.
Women often give because of a political or philosophical belief, because of their involvement on a board or through volunteering, and spontaneously because of an immediate need.
She shared the importance of properly engaging those who identify as female, noting that women give differently—what works for men may not work for women. Best practices include increasing the visibility of women in leadership, on stage at events, and in communications and messaging; asking boldly of women and allowing your organization to be surprised; and staying curious to how new methods may inspire women to give more and in different ways.
After the presentation, Kathleen met with the WPAB to discuss further her book, her message, and how the Board could help apply some of her findings to Penn State’s development operation. Focusing on the individual, her specific impact, and how she can inspire her own network to join in is key. When institutions ask women what they want to support and how they want to do it, then really listen to their answers, that’s when the real, powerful change can occur.
While the group sees opportunities in many areas, one message from Kathleen was clear: When we engage, elevate, connect, and celebrate women, we all rise.