By Dr. Bonnie Eaker-Weil
By 2010, women will have 60% of the wealth in the U.S. - this is due in large part to the fact that women live longer than men, and inherit the family wealth.
Perhaps because of this, more and more philanthropic organizations are beginning to focus their efforts on women, who are taking a more active role in giving. According to Mark Charendoff, president of the Jewish Funders Network, he sees this trend particularly among women in their 30s and 40s – who, yes, may be giving in partnership with husbands - but are more involved in the process than they were in the past.
“Women have always been partners in family philanthropic decision making, but a lot of times it was the men taking a more public role,” Charendoff said. “There was a whole social network that might start in business and spread out to philanthropy. All that still happens, and more and more women are comfortable taking the lead in advancing their philanthropic interests and exploring how to make change.”
Organizations are taking this into account and trying to make women feel more comfortable with their mission, in their meetings, as a member of the foundation, etc.
Some say that there is a difference in the way women give, and therefore they need a specialized approach in order to inspire donations. According to Judi Stecklow, campaign director for Women’s Philanthropy at the New York Jewish federation, women need to feel connected to and touched by the stories of the people, places or things that they're helping. Some, however, disagree, saying that men also need this connection before they're going to write a check or donate a chunk of money.
Whether or not giving divides along gender lines, women ARE making more, inheriting more – and giving more. And whether or not you're giving in conjunction with a partner or spouse, it's important to talk over your donation decisions. Although you are giving to a charitable organization, it's just as crucial that each person on the relationship know where the money is going and have a chance to weigh in.
Dr. Bonnie Eaker Weil has been an internationally acclaimed relationship therapist for thirty years. New York magazine named her one of the city’s top therapists and Psychology Today named her one of America’s best therapists. Her most recent book, Financial Infidelity, is available on Amazon.
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