Gender Matters

A Guide to Growing
Women’s Philanthropy

Research shows women are the drivers of their families’ philanthropic decisions. Women give more than men—and when they give, they give differently.

And yet, most nonprofits and educational institutions are still using tried and true fundraising practices that either alienate women or gain only minimal support from them. Better results are possible when fundraising methods adapt to the new donor realities.

In this book, Kathleen Loehr focuses on the specific individual, team and organizational adaptations necessary to increase philanthropic support from women. Loehr breaks through ingrained fundraising behaviors and blind spots that are preventing fundraising teams from reaching new levels of growth in women’s philanthropy. Designed as a catalyst for changing behavior, Loehr makes a compelling case that focusing on women donors gets results, and provides many specific adaptations for doing so.

Order the print version of the book here
Order the digital version of the book here
Order the book here

Gender Matters

A Guide to Growing
Women’s Philanthropy

Research shows women are the drivers of their families’ philanthropic decisions. Women give more than men—and when they give, they give differently.

And yet, most nonprofits and educational institutions are still using tried and true fundraising practices that either alienate women or gain only minimal support from them. Better results are possible when fundraising methods adapt to the new donor realities.

In this book, Kathleen Loehr focuses on the specific individual, team and organizational adaptations necessary to increase philanthropic support from women. Loehr breaks through ingrained fundraising behaviors and blind spots that are preventing fundraising teams from reaching new levels of growth in women’s philanthropy. Designed as a catalyst for changing behavior, Loehr makes a compelling case that focusing on women donors gets results, and provides many specific adaptations for doing so.

Testimonials

The modern field of women’s philanthropy is thirty years old – some naysayers say women are full partners now in philanthropy and no emphasis is needed to address gender anymore. Not so, says Loehr. She so aptly points out that issues still exist, and we must face what we in the field have known all along: women are still not being asked to their potential. The challenges facing society need women’s perspective and money. By following the directives in Loehr’s book, development directors and others will help unleash and empower women to strengthen not just their own institutions but also our democracy through philanthropy and create a more civic society, benefitting all. This is what our nation and world need now.
Martha Taylor
Co-author of Reinventing Fundraising: Realizing the Potential of Women’s Philanthropy (1995), and Women & Philanthropy: Boldly Shaping A Better World (2010)
At the National Coalition of Girls’ Schools, we know beyond a doubt that gender matters in school, work and life. I also know that it matters in philanthropy – women do give differently. I am grateful that Kathleen Loehr provides a clear and compelling guide to help us all grow the varied resources women can provide to create lasting change. The leaders of girls’ schools have been asking for a specific manual on how to adjust our fundraising practices for women – we now have it thanks to this book.
Megan Murphy
Executive Director, National Coalition of Girls’ Schools
Gender matters. After a decade of important research by scholars we know that gender impacts philanthropy and giving decisions. The genius of Kathleen Loehr is to both summarize and analyze the research and then turn it into action steps that will change the face of fundraising for the generation ahead. This is the most important book on philanthropy that I have read this decade.
Bruce Flessner
Vice President, The American University in Cairo and Women's Philanthropy Institute Advisory Board Member
Kathleen Loehr’s work is genius – it raises the curtain on how women are absolutely central to successful fundraising endeavors at universities and organizations around the globe. Kathleen provides practical advice for fundraisers as they create a robust roadmap for their women and philanthropy efforts. This is a must-read book.
Sue Gerdelman
Chair, For the Bold Campaign, The College of William & Mary
“They” have been writing large checks for years. The actuarial statistics have told us that women outlive men and often give longer and more over time.

The time for authentic data and direction on this topic is now; the book is here; it is called Gender Matters, and the person to tell this story is Kathleen Loehr. This treatment of this subject will guide professional and volunteer thinking on women in philanthropy for the coming decades and reflects Kathleen’s rich experiences in this arena. Read it for sure, but most vitally, put its wisdom into your planning. The results will speak for themselves because gender really does matter!
Bob Carter
Past Chair, AFP International Board; Past CEO. Ketchum, Inc.; Chair & Founder, Carter Global
The modern field of women’s philanthropy is thirty years old – some naysayers say women are full partners now in philanthropy and no emphasis is needed to address gender anymore. Not so, says Loehr. She so aptly points out that issues still exist, and we must face what we in the field have known all along: women are still not being asked to their potential. The challenges facing society need women’s perspective and money. By following the directives in Loehr’s book, development directors and others will help unleash and empower women to strengthen not just their own institutions but also our democracy through philanthropy and create a more civic society, benefitting all. This is what our nation and world need now.
Martha Taylor
Co-author of Reinventing Fundraising: Realizing the Potential of Women’s Philanthropy (1995), and Women & Philanthropy: Boldly Shaping A Better World (2010)
Gender matters. After a decade of important research by scholars we know that gender impacts philanthropy and giving decisions. The genius of Kathleen Loehr is to both summarize and analyze the research and then turn it into action steps that will change the face of fundraising for the generation ahead. This is the most important book on philanthropy that I have read this decade.
Bruce Flessner
Vice President, The American University in Cairo and Women's Philanthropy Institute Advisory Board Member
Kathleen Loehr’s work is genius – it raises the curtain on how women are absolutely central to successful fundraising endeavors at universities and organizations around the globe. Kathleen provides practical advice for fundraisers as they create a robust roadmap for their women and philanthropy efforts. This is a must-read book.
Sue Gerdelman
Chair, For the Bold Campaign, The College of William & Mary
At the National Coalition of Girls’ Schools, we know beyond a doubt that gender matters in school, work and life. I also know that it matters in philanthropy – women do give differently. I am grateful that Kathleen Loehr provides a clear and compelling guide to help us all grow the varied resources women can provide to create lasting change. The leaders of girls’ schools have been asking for a specific manual on how to adjust our fundraising practices for women – we now have it thanks to this book.
Megan Murphy
Executive Director, National Coalition of Girls’ Schools
“They” have been writing large checks for years. The actuarial statistics have told us that women outlive men and often give longer and more over time.

The time for authentic data and direction on this topic is now; the book is here; it is called Gender Matters, and the person to tell this story is Kathleen Loehr. This treatment of this subject will guide professional and volunteer thinking on women in philanthropy for the coming decades and reflects Kathleen’s rich experiences in this arena. Read it for sure, but most vitally, put its wisdom into your planning. The results will speak for themselves because gender really does matter!
Bob Carter
Past Chair, AFP International Board; Past CEO. Ketchum, Inc.; Chair & Founder, Carter Global