The Women’s Philanthropy Institute (WPI) at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy today released Women and Philanthropy: A Literature Review, an updated synthesis of the past decade’s research on gender and philanthropy. Building on WPI’s landmark 2015 review, this updated report offers a more nuanced picture of women’s giving and leadership, affirming women’s growing influence in shaping the philanthropic landscape.
The 2025 review reveals:
- Women’s philanthropy has become more visible, values-driven, and responsive to social and political events.
- Women are giving more frequently and across a wider range of causes, with strong emphasis on health, justice, and inclusivity.
- As donors, volunteers, and leaders, women are using their philanthropic voice to drive social change and foster community.
“Over the past ten years, the field has matured, and the research has expanded,” said Jacqueline Ackerman, Director of the Women’s Philanthropy Institute. “This review reflects a decade of growth—not just in data, but in the recognition of women’s roles as transformative agents in philanthropy.”
The report also underscores the continued rise of giving circles and collective models of engagement, as well as women’s growing decision-making power within households. For the first time, it includes a section on gender and leadership, spotlighting the systemic barriers women face and the benefits of more inclusive leadership in the sector.
To help turn insights into action, WPI developed four practical guides tailored to key audiences:
- Donors: Provides insights into how women give and their philanthropic motivations, with considerations for aligning values with giving strategies and exploring collaborative models such as giving circles.
- Fundraisers and Nonprofit Leaders: Offers tools to deepen engagement with women donors through relationship-building, values-aligned messaging, and approaches to collaborative philanthropy.
- Women’s and Girls’ Organizations: Highlights ways to translate research into effective fundraising strategies, including understanding donor motivations and leveraging data from the Women & Girls Index.
- Women Leaders and Their Allies: Examines the relationship between identity, lived experience, and leadership, and outlines strategies for building more comprehensive leadership pathways across the philanthropic sector.
“This literature review affirms that the philanthropic sector has become more dynamic and reflective of women’s lived experiences and values,” said Dr. Young-joo Lee, the Eileen Lamb O’Gara Chair in Women’s Philanthropy and lead author of the report. “This makes it more important than ever to understand women’s philanthropy and to strengthen the systems that support their leadership.”
Download the full report and visual summary here.
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About the Women’s Philanthropy Institute
The Women’s Philanthropy Institute (WPI) is part of the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. 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.
About the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
The Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University 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 undergraduate, graduate, certificate and professional development programs, its research and international programs, and through The Fund Raising School, Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, the Mays Family Institute on Diverse Philanthropy and the Women’s Philanthropy Institute. Follow us on X (formerly known as Twitter), LinkedIn, or Instagram and “Like” us on Facebook.