Women and Philanthropy: Impact Across Generations

March is Women’s History Month, and it’s a great time to celebrate the increasing role of women in philanthropy right here in the Kitsap region. At Kitsap Community Foundation, we are honored to work with women across multiple generations, such as:

• A retired executive supporting our initiatives with gifts from an IRA

• A business leader who is building a culture of giving in the workplace

• A young adult who is learning about community impact through a family donor-advised fund established by her parents

And many, many more!

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 and earnings.

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 we are seeing firsthand: women are increasingly leading charitable decisions within their families. Sometimes this shift happens gradually—a daughter becoming more involved in conversations about family giving. In other cases, the transition is sudden, such as when a woman assumes sole responsibility for stewarding both financial assets and charitable intent.

While high-profile examples like MacKenzie Scott and Melinda French Gates make headlines, the trend is much more widespread. Women often give more generously, more broadly, and more collaboratively. Notably, the ways women approach philanthropy often center on empathy and firsthand involvement.

Collective Impact: The Women's Giving Circle of the Kitsap Peninsula

One of the most powerful ways women in our region are making a difference is through the Women's Giving Circle of the Kitsap Peninsula. This program brings together women of all generations to collectively fund grants that support women and children across the Kitsap Peninsula. By pooling resources and voting together, members have a direct say in where their contributions go, amplifying their individual impact and building a vibrant community of philanthropists. Learn more about how you can join us here.

As women step more fully into leadership roles, thoughtful planning helps ensure our community's giving remains impactful and sustainable. Here are three ways we often partner with women and families to implement philanthropic intentions:

1.) Creating a family philanthropy vehicle

A donor-advised fund provides a flexible structure for collaborative giving. Many women involve children or grandchildren as co-advisors, turning grantmaking into an opportunity to share values and learn together about our community's needs. These funds can be established with tax-efficient assets—such as appreciated stock—helping maximize stewardship.

2.) Focusing on a cause for the long term

For those who feel called to support a particular issue—education, healthcare, or the arts—a field-of-interest fund can provide both focus and flexibility. For donors age 70 ½ or older, Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) to certain funds (excluding donor-advised funds) may offer an efficient way to support charitable priorities during life.

3.) Strengthening a favorite organization

If you have dedicated years to a specific nonprofit, strategic planning can ensure that commitment endures. Grants can address immediate needs, while a designated fund can provide dependable annual support for generations to come.

Women’s philanthropy continues to shape our community in profound ways. We’re excited to celebrate this spirit of giving at our upcoming Kitsap Celebration of Philanthropy, where we’ll honor many of the leaders making a difference.

Kitsap Community Foundation is here for women, and we are here for everyone. We look forward to helping you ensure your philanthropy reflects both an enduring legacy and an evolving purpose. We look forward to our next conversation!