From billion-dollar gifts to grassroots movements, women around the world are changing not only where money goes, but how philanthropy is practiced. Within their communities, women are pooling resources in giving circles, leading family foundations, and making everyday decisions that shape the causes they care about.
One of the most visible examples is MacKenzie Scott, who has donated more than $26 billion to thousands of nonprofit organizations since 2019. But it’s not only the scale of her giving that has drawn attention – it’s the way she gives. By providing large, unrestricted grants and trusting nonprofit leaders to decide how funds should be used, Scott has helped shift conversations about power, equity, and effectiveness in modern philanthropy.
This impact is part of a much larger story. Women like Oprah Winfrey, whose philanthropy has funded education initiatives including the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa, and Dolly Parton, whose Imagination Library has provided over 300 million free books to children worldwide, demonstrate the wide-ranging influence of women’s giving. Others, including Melinda French Gates and Laurene Powell Jobs, have used their philanthropic platforms to invest in gender equity, education, and community development. Together, these women illustrate how philanthropy today is not only about the size of a gift, but also about the values, collaboration, and long-term change behind it.
A growing force
By 2030, women are expected to control more than $30 trillion in U.S. assets alone. That transfer of wealth represents one of the greatest shifts in philanthropic power in history – and it’s already underway. Women are becoming a driving force in global giving, and their influence will only continue to grow as intergenerational wealth transfers accelerate.
While headlines often focus on donors giving at large scale, the majority of philanthropic giving in the U.S. actually comes from everyday individual donors, and women are especially active in this space. Millions of women contribute modest amounts, often through recurring donations, giving circles, or community-based initiatives, and those gifts collectively create substantial impact. When coordinated through networks or guided by shared goals, even relatively small contributions can fund transformative programs, support local nonprofits, and spark lasting social change, proving that effective philanthropy is as much about consistency, collaboration, and strategy as it is about the size of a gift.
How women give: Similarities and differences
Women’s generosity isn’t one-size-fits-all – but there are some meaningful patterns in how and why they give. To better understand the ways Americans approach charitable giving, CAF America conducted a nationally representative survey. This research shows that while women and men share many motivations for giving, women bring unique patterns and priorities:
- Spontaneity matters. Women are more likely to give spontaneously (52% vs. men at 32%) and to discover causes they’d like to give to through their day-to-day lives (69% vs. 55%). Men, however, often plan their giving (59% vs. women at 45%) and proactively research organizations for giving (38% vs. 26%).
- Tax breaks and social pressure matter less. Women report being far less motivated by tax benefits (41% say never, vs. 23% of men) or by social pressure (16% vs. 28%).
- Connection and emotion drive women’s giving. Both men and women are motivated by personal connections; however, women are equally as attracted to giving when a cause connects with them emotionally, whether through empathy, gratitude, or joy.
- Year-end giving tells a story. Men are more likely to say obligation drives their end-of-year giving (31% vs. 18%), while women refer to gratitude and a sense of fortune (92% vs. 84%).
These nuances reveal something bigger: women’s philanthropy is often rooted in relationships, emotion, and community. When an organization connects with them personally, they are more likely to share their time and finances to support its cause.
Women tend to engage deeply with the organizations they support, often funding causes that might otherwise be overlooked and seeking stories, connection, and opportunities for collaboration. In doing so, they expand the definition of what philanthropy can be – not just transactional, but transformational.
What this means for charities
For nonprofits and institutions, understanding women’s giving isn’t just helpful, it’s essential. A few strategies stand out:
- Be visible in everyday spaces. Women are more likely to discover causes through social networks, conversations, and community connections. Meeting them where they are matters.
- Tell stories of impact. Beyond numbers, women want to see and feel the difference their giving makes. Stories, updates, and transparency build lasting trust.
- Celebrate gratitude. Messaging that honors generosity and emphasizes shared fortune resonates with women donors.
Giving is changing
Whether through billion-dollar gifts or everyday generosity, women are redefining giving as something centered around connection. It’s about seeing a need, feeling compelled to act, and bringing others into the process. When MacKenzie Scott began directing billions of dollars to nonprofits, who were often small, community-based, and equity-focused, she challenged traditional models of giving. Her approach offered a glimpse of what more equitable and responsive philanthropy could look like.
But this moment extends far beyond any one donor. Across communities, women are shaping a culture of giving that centers relationships, trust, and long-term impact, ensuring that resources reach organizations that might otherwise be overlooked.
The result is a quieter but meaningful transformation. Philanthropy is becoming more connected, more inclusive, and more grounded in the communities it serves – and women are at the heart of that change.
