Women’s Philanthropy Institute

Research that grows women’s philanthropy

To tackle challenges large and small, our world needs more strategic philanthropy. Women can lead this charge, harnessing their growing wealth and influence to create a more just and healthy society.

To unlock the full potential of women’s philanthropy, we must understand how gender shapes giving behavior. To build a powerful force of female philanthropists, we need to understand more about what drives women to give.

We also study giving to women and girls, uncovering how little philanthropic support reaches these causes each year and raising awareness of the opportunity to invest in their impact.

The Women’s Philanthropy Institute exists for that reason: to conduct, curate, and disseminate research that grows women’s philanthropy and informs giving to women and girls organizations.

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Our mission

The Women’s Philanthropy Institute increases understanding of women’s philanthropy through rigorous research and education—interpreting and sharing our insights broadly to improve philanthropy.

The 2025 Debra Mesch Doctoral Fellowship for Research on Women’s Philanthropy

WPI is accepting applications for this award, which supports emerging scholars focused on women’s philanthropy and gender differences in philanthropic behavior, through January 31, 2025.