Women Are Leading Philanthropy—How to Align Your Grant Strategy
The landscape of philanthropy is shifting, and women-led giving is at the forefront of this transformation. Women are increasing their financial influence in the philanthropic space and reshaping how funding decisions are made—prioritizing social justice, community-led initiatives, and long-term systemic change.
This presents a powerful opportunity for nonprofits: how can you align your fundraising strategy with the values and priorities of women philanthropists and women-led funds? Understanding their unique approach to giving will improve your grant success rate and help build lasting relationships with funders who share your organization’s mission.
1. The Rise of Women-Led Philanthropy
The rise of women-led philanthropy isn’t just a trend—it’s a movement backed by data:
Women give more to charity as a percentage of their income than men across all income levels.
Women are more likely to donate collaboratively—through giving circles, donor networks, and pooled funds that prioritize community-driven solutions.
Women’s foundations and funds have emerged as major players, directing billions toward gender equity, racial justice, and grassroots movements.
This shift means nonprofits must go beyond traditional fundraising approaches to engage with women-led funders meaningfully.
2. Understand What Women-Led Philanthropy Prioritizes
To successfully tap into this growing funding network, nonprofits must understand the core values driving women’s philanthropy:
📌 Equity and Inclusion: Women philanthropists prioritize funding organizations focusing on gender equity, racial justice, and systemic change.
📌 Long-Term Impact: Many women-led funds invest in multi-year grants beyond immediate relief and support lasting social transformation.
📌 Trust-Based Giving: Women philanthropists are at the forefront of the trust-based philanthropy movement, favoring unrestricted funding, simplified reporting, and direct investment in community-led solutions.
📌 Collaborative Giving: Women-led giving circles and funding networks allow donors to pool resources and make collective funding decisions, increasing grantmaking opportunities for nonprofits aligned with their mission.
3. How to Align Your Grant Strategy with Women-Led Philanthropy
Now that we know what women-led funders prioritize, here’s how your nonprofit can strategically position itself to attract their support:
✅ 1. Research and Engage with Women-Focused Funders
Hundreds of women-led grantmaking organizations specifically fund initiatives advancing gender and racial equity. Some notable funders include:
The Women’s Funding Network – A global alliance of women’s funds supporting equity-focused initiatives.
Ms. Foundation for Women – A leader in funding grassroots organizations advancing economic and social justice for women.
Women Donors Network – A network of progressive women philanthropists funding systemic change initiatives.
📌 How to Apply This: Explore their funding priorities and tailor your proposals to demonstrate alignment with their values. Follow their social media, attend webinars, and engage with their content to build connections before applying.
✅ 2. Highlight Women’s Leadership and Gender Equity in Your Work
Even if your nonprofit doesn’t exclusively focus on women’s issues, funders want to see how your organization supports gender equity in meaningful ways.
📌 How to Apply This:
Showcase women in leadership roles within your organization and on your board.
Highlight how your work impacts women and girls, even if your broader mission includes other communities.
If applicable, incorporate gender-disaggregated data into your proposals to demonstrate how your programs benefit women specifically.
✅3. Build Trust and Relationships with Funders—Beyond the Application.
Women philanthropists value relationship-building over transactional giving. That means nonprofits need to go beyond just submitting proposals—they must nurture connections with funders year-round.
📌 How to Apply This:
Stay in touch with funders even when you’re not seeking funding—send impact updates, success stories, and invitations to events.
Offer opportunities for funders to engage with your work (site visits, virtual briefings, or roundtable discussions).
Be transparent and authentic about your challenges and impact—funders appreciate honest storytelling over overly polished narratives.
Final Thoughts: Women’s Philanthropy is a Long-Term Investment.
Women-led philanthropy isn’t just a funding source—it’s an opportunity to build lasting, mission-driven partnerships. By aligning your nonprofit’s work with the priorities of women philanthropists, you can access new funding networks, long-term support, and deeper community engagement.
As women continue to shape the future of philanthropy, now is the time for nonprofits to adapt and cultivate relationships that will drive their mission forward for years to come.
