Women and philanthropy: Four insights to inform your practice

By Sheila Kinman, CAP®, Chief Philanthropy Officer

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At Community Foundation Tampa Bay, we’re honored to work with hundreds of individuals, families, and businesses who support a wide range of charitable causes. The generosity and commitment across generations and demographics inspire our team each day.  

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As we work alongside our donors, we continue to see philanthropic trends evolve. One of the most notable shifts is the growing role of women in charitable decision-making. Increasingly, women are leading giving decisions within their families, especially as more serve as primary financial decision-makers, according to Women Give 2024: 20 Years of Gender & Giving Trends from Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.

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Two scenarios are driving this change:

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– In many families, a leadership shift happens gradually. For example, a daughter becomes more engaged over the years in conversations about the family’s charitable giving. Or a spouse who once deferred philanthropic decisions begins to shape priorities more directly.  

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– In other cases, the transition is sudden and deeply personal—often following the death of a spouse or parent—when a woman assumes sole responsibility for stewarding both financial assets and charitable intent.

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Here are four examples of how your awareness of these trends can play out in your day-to-day practice:

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Help your clients give through thick and thin.

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According to the Women Give 2024 study, over the past two decades, single women experienced a smaller decline in charitable participation than single men, and their average giving amounts held steadier or increased in certain contexts (e.g., secular causes during COVID-19). Be aware of this trend as you represent single women; it may be a priority for them to continue giving even when times are tough. The Community Foundation can help you develop a charitable giving plan to enable women-led philanthropy to continue through life’s ups and downs.

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Discuss national trends and local needs.  

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According to the Women’s Philanthropy Institute at Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, for the first time, between 2022 and 2023, giving to women’s and girls’ organizations surpassed 2% of overall charitable giving. This represents over $11 billion going to women’s and girls’ organizations each year. Note, however, that when adjusted for inflation, the amount actually declined between 2021 and 2023. This trend is worth mentioning to clients, especially with the help of the Community Foundation team to share parallel local trends and opportunities to make an impact.

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Ask about all forms of philanthropy.

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According to the 2025 Bank of America Study of Philanthropy: Charitable Giving by Affluent Households, 43% of affluent households volunteered in 2024, up from 37% in 2022—volunteers tend to give more and support causes more deeply, a pattern that is often stronger among women. Be sure to ask your female clients about causes they support both financially and through volunteerism.  

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Tailor advice for single women.

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Research shows that participation trends vary by household type, with single women maintaining more consistent giving patterns over long periods. Pay particular attention to building thoughtful charitable giving plans for single-women households. The Community Foundation can help maximize both impact and financial planning goals as you serve these clients.

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When you are working with a charitable client, our team is honored to be your partner. Whether your client is establishing a new structure, building a comprehensive strategy around an existing donor-advised or other fund, or navigating inherited philanthropic responsibilities, we are here to help ensure their giving reflects both enduring legacy and evolving purpose.

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Sheila Kinman, CAP® serves as Chief Philanthropy Officer at Community Foundation Tampa Bay. A seasoned expert in providing philanthropic solutions, she is dedicated to facilitating the joy of giving for donors. Sheila specializes in helping individuals, private foundations, nonprofits, and corporations direct their charitable giving in impactful and financially strategic ways. Her expertise also includes facilitating unique, non-cash gifts, such as donations of closely held business interests and real estate.

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