Women’s Philanthropy in Action

Women have long been a driving force in philanthropy—and recent research continues to show that women give consistently, often pairing financial support with the four T’s—their time, talent, treasure, and testimony.

Women often take the lead in giving. In fact, 85% of affluent household’s charitable giving decisions are made or influenced by women. Research also shows that single women are more likely to give than single men and often support a broader range of causes. When married, women frequently engage their spouses in their giving initiatives, creating a shared sense of purpose and collaboration that extends the impact of their household philanthropy to their partners, and ultimately to their children as well.

Women are poised to hold a significantly larger share of global wealth in the coming years, with notable differences in how they manage and grow their financial assets compared to men. In our work, we see that women are often more inclined toward values-based investing, incorporating factors such as philanthropy and environmental or social concerns into financial considerations.

As women increasingly become the primary decision-makers, the intersection of wealth and philanthropy becomes a strategic conversation: aligning portfolios with purpose, integrating charitable planning into a estate strategy, and using giving vehicles to create impact across generations. For William Blair’s Women’s Wealth Advisory, that’s the differentiator—helping women translate financial leadership into philanthropic leadership, so generosity becomes not only a gift, but a deliberate treasure.