New research from the Women’s Philanthropy Institute affirms parents’ influence on children’s giving, highlights gender differences
A new report from the Women’s Philanthropy Institute explores how parents transmit generosity to their children, and whether this differs for sons and daughters. The study finds that while all adult children whose parents give to charity are more likely to give, this relationship is stronger for daughters than it is for sons.
The report, Women Give 2018: Transmitting Generosity To Daughters and Sons, affirms that parents have the ability to influence children while they live in the same household, and that children can carry this behavior into adulthood. The research, which is funded by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, has implications for parents, wealth advisors, family foundations, donors and others who seek to instill values of generosity in both daughters and sons.
“Women Give 2018 builds on previous research to underscore the importance of being intentional about the ways we transmit generosity. By exploring the relationship between parents’ and children’s giving through a gender lens, our findings can help parents be more effective as they pass on wealth and values to the next generation, which in turn can help increase charitable giving overall,” said Debra J. Mesch, Ph.D., director of the Women’s Philanthropy Institute and the Eileen Lamb O’Gara Chair in Women’s Philanthropy at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at IU Indianapolis.
Key findings from Women Give 2018 include:
- Adult children—both sons and daughters—whose parents give to charity are more likely to give to charity.
- The relationship between parents’ and adult daughters’ giving is stronger than the relationship between parents’ and adult sons’ giving.
- The frequency of parents’ giving has greater influence on adult daughters’ likelihood of giving than it does on adult sons’ likelihood of giving.
The Women’s Philanthropy Institute released the study today at a national launch event in Denver, Colorado sponsored by Wells Fargo Private Bank. Beth Renner, National Director of Philanthropic Services at Wells Fargo Private Bank, said: “We continue to see clients in high-net-worth families show an increased interest in philanthropy, especially in the context of the generational transfer of wealth. They understand that this transfer of wealth and values is a process -- not a one-time event. The research from Women’s Philanthropy Institute, in the Women Give 2018 report and beyond, offers more insight to help us better serve and educate our clients as they navigate this journey. We’re so pleased to be able to support its release.”
The study used data from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy’s Philanthropy Panel Study (PPS), the longest-running national panel study of 9,000 households of philanthropy in the United States. Because the PPS links parents to children, Women Give 2018 is able to offer new insights on the relationship between parental giving and children’s giving, once those children are adults.
Women Give 2018 is the ninth in a series of signature research reports conducted at the Women’s Philanthropy Institute that focus on gender differences in giving to charitable organizations. Each report explores unique questions about the factors that shape gender-based giving patterns—including age, religion, income, marital status and more—in order to increase understanding about how gender influences philanthropy.
About the Women’s Philanthropy Institute
The Women’s Philanthropy Institute (WPI) is part of the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at IU Indianapolis. WPI increases understanding of women’s philanthropy through rigorous research and education, interpreting and sharing these insights broadly to improve philanthropy. By addressing significant and groundbreaking research questions and translating that research into increased understanding and improvements in practice, WPI helps to leverage new and expanded resources for the common good. Follow us on Twitter @WPIinsights and “Like” us on the Facebook page for WPI.
About the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
The Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at IU Indianapolis is dedicated to improving philanthropy to improve the world by training and empowering students and professionals to be innovators and leaders who create positive and lasting change. The school offers a comprehensive approach to philanthropy through its academic, research and international programs and through The Fund Raising School, Lake Institute on Faith & Giving and the Women’s Philanthropy Institute. Follow us on Twitter @IUPhilanthropy or “Like” us on the Facebook page for IU Philanthropy.
About Wells Fargo Private Bank
Wells Fargo Wealth Management provides products and services through Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and its various affiliates and subsidiaries. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. is the banking affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.