March is Women’s History Month, a time to check in on the increasing role of women in philanthropy.
At the San Antonio Area Foundation, we are honored to work with women across multiple generations. A shining example is the pioneering work of the women behind the Smart Start Fund. On our grantmaking side, we’re proud of the work of our Women & Girls Development Fund and nonprofit partners such as Girls Inc of San Antonio, Girls on the Run Bexar County and YWCA San Antonio.
Women’s growing control over wealth is fueling transformative potential to reshape philanthropy. According to research-based analysis published in the Stanford Social Innovation Review, over the next decade, trillions of dollars will transfer to women through inheritance, earnings and outliving male partners in heterosexual couples.
What’s more, research from Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, including Women Give 2024: 20 Years of Gender & Giving Trends, supports what many are seeing firsthand: women are increasingly leading charitable decisions within their families.
Sometimes this shift happens gradually — a daughter becomes more involved in conversations about family giving, or a spouse who once deferred decisions begins shaping philanthropic priorities more directly. In other cases, the transition is sudden and deeply personal, such as after the death of a spouse or parent, when a woman assumes sole responsibility for stewarding both financial assets and charitable intent.
You’re likely familiar with high-profile examples such as MacKenzie Scott and Melinda Gates. But the trend is much more widespread than just a couple of big names. Indeed, women often give more generously, more broadly and more collaboratively than men. Notably, the ways women approach philanthropy differ significantly from men’s, especially with respect to motivations such as empathy, personal priorities and firsthand involvement.
As women step more fully into philanthropic leadership, thoughtful planning can help ensure that their giving remains impactful and sustainable. Here are three ways the Area Foundation often partners with women and families to implement philanthropic intentions:
Creating a family philanthropy vehicle
A DAF at the Area Foundation can provide a flexible structure for collaborative giving. Many women choose to involve children or grandchildren as co-advisors, turning grantmaking into an opportunity to share values and learn together about community needs. These funds can be established with tax-efficient assets — such as appreciated stock or other complex assets — helping maximize both impact and stewardship.
Focusing on a cause for the long term
For donors who feel called to support a particular issue — education, healthcare, the arts, emergency assistance or another area of personal significance — a field-of-interest fund can provide both focus and flexibility. For donors age 70 ½ or older, Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) to certain types of funds at the Area Foundation (excluding DAFs) from an IRA may offer an efficient way to support charitable priorities during life. Furthermore, naming a DAF as an IRA beneficiary can extend that support well beyond the donor’s lifetime.
Strengthening a favorite organization
Some women dedicate years of service to a specific nonprofit. In these cases, strategic planning can ensure that commitment endures. Grants can address immediate needs such as staffing or infrastructure, while a designated fund (an eligible recipient of a QCD) can provide dependable annual support for generations to come.
Women’s philanthropy continues to shape our communities in profound ways. Whether leadership transitions happen gradually or through life-changing events, the opportunity to align generosity with long-term purpose is powerful.
As always, the Area Foundation is here for women and here for everyone. It is our honor to support your philanthropy — helping ensure it reflects both enduring legacy and evolving purpose. Reach out to us with any questions about the many options we offer to give back to the community!
