The “Traditional” Donor Life Cycle May Not Apply to Women

In your work as a fundraiser, you may use the term “donor life cycle.” This model charts the path of a donor through several sequential phases of engagement and giving to causes they care about: first gift, occasional gifts, consistent annual gifts, major or stretch gifts, leadership role and accompanying giving, and finally, a planned […]

The Engagement Trap: Moving from Meaningful Connection to Meaningful Gift

The research on women’s philanthropy highlights again and again that women want to be engaged before they are asked for a gift. For example, in their 2015 report, “Where Do Men and Women Give?,” the Women’s Philanthropy Institute found: Women report that they are motivated to give because they are on the board or volunteer […]

We Won’t Raise More Money Unless We Stop Acting Like All Donors Are White Men

Worrisome trends are emerging in U.S. philanthropy. Although overall charitable giving is growing, the share of Americans who give is declining, and the incidence of giving is down in most every age group. This giving gap opened because of complex reasons, but one thing is clear: We are seeing fewer Americans give because we are applying the […]

Connect with Empathy-Driven Women Donors by Telling Your Story

One report from the Women’s Philanthropy Institute found that “When women give, they tend to express a desire to help others, whereas men tend to focus on the benefits that come from being charitable.” Women’s giving is driven by empathy, the ability to understand and share another person’s feelings. When we see others in need, […]

Watch Kathleen Loehr’s Interview About Women’s Philanthropy

I was excited when Barett Christensen of Bentz Whaley Flessner asked me to be a guest on the BWF LIVE Fundraising show on Facebook. If you didn’t get a chance to tune in, you can watch the entire interview below. Bentz Whaley Flessner is a wonderful organization that aims to transform philanthropy by collaborating with […]

Do You Focus on Women? It Matters to Your Bottom Line.

I am committed to growing women’s philanthropy. Why? I’ve been in the philanthropic sector for 35 years as a woman donor, fundraiser and nonprofit leader. In that time, I’ve seen women’s power and earnings grow – and the philanthropic sector repeatedly fail to take full advantage of this new reality. I’m frustrated that the philanthropic […]

Use This Powerful Tool To Start Integrating Women’s Philanthropy Today

When you realize the effect a women’s philanthropy program will have on your organization’s ability to create a bigger impact, you will be eager to get started. But such an endeavor can feel overwhelming. You may look blankly at your screen and think, “Where do I start?” The answer? Create and declare a clear vision […]

“Resourcing” – Why it Matters More than Fundraising

As we see in today’s headlines, women are raising their voices after lifetimes of not being heard or respected. Unfortunately, this history of marginalizing women’s voices often extended into the nonprofit sector. Women regularly insist they are more than checkbooks, yet many feel this point is ignored. One woman in a recent focus group summarized […]

Ditch The Niche in Women’s Giving

From the late 1980s to early 2010s, many university advancement departments thoughtfully designed dedicated women’s “programs” or “initiatives.” These efforts responded to women’s preferences to connect and collaborate, as well as to be engaged before they are asked. The specific design of these initiatives varied. Some resembled giving circles, with annual gift requirements and collective […]