A global perspective
To bring a global perspective to this special edition, Philanthropy UK invited a range of contributors to provide a high-level overview of women and philanthropy in seven countries.
Women have been affecting the philanthropic landscape of the US since the founding of the country in 1776. Women have created universities, like Smith College, founded in 1871 by Sophia...
In the Netherlands, women’s involvement in philanthropy started around 1850.
A 2003 survey of giving in South Africa asked respondents if they had contributed money to a cause, a charity or an organisation in the last month.
Czech and Slovak philanthropy is only just beginning to develop and as yet there has been minimal discussion of the gender dimension.
Historically, women have played a salient role in Latin American philanthropy, such as in the case of Eva Peron in 20th century Argentina.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Kyrgyzstan experienced a severe depression and cutbacks to social spending throughout the 1990s and early 2000s.
In terms of philanthropy, women in present day Hungary are characterised as enthusiastic donors but less keen volunteers.
History of women's philanthropy
Most historical studies of women and philanthropy either end roughly around the time of the First World War or follow a trajectory tracing a transformation from the voluntary sector to...
My research into female philanthropy sprang from an interest in philanthropy rather than in feminism. My initial purpose was to fill some gaps in David Owen’s distinguished English...
Giving circles and networks
If people join us now, they will be in at the beginning of something potentially revolutionary," says Maggie Baxter, talking about the upcoming launch of the new UK Women's Fund.
A snapshot view
Once when the six of us from the Women’s Trust Fund were eating in a local restaurant, the waitress asked “Now, what kind of a group outing is this. I always like...
Women have been quietly giving in many guises since the hey-day of Victorian philanthropy, and a 21st century trend that is connecting more women to giving and increasing their philanthropic clout...
The school playground may not be the first place one would consider to embark on a philanthropic project, but this is where the committee of Talk in Company (TIC), a social network with a...
Recent research into giving circles in the US indicates that rather than being a passing fad they are reaching across all ethnic and social classes to become an established form of philanthropy.
When Jane Swift, Chair of BT Executive Women, came across stories of women struggling globally against violence and suffering, she was hard pressed to see how it might relate to corporate women in...
The Oxford Givers’ Circle is a network of friends who quietly and consistently support the work of the charity WOMANKIND Worldwide by giving money annually and by telling friends and...
Personal stories in philanthropy
Philanthropist, publisher and anthropologist Sigrid Rausing possesses that rare quality of someone who truly puts her ideals into action.
Renu Mehta is fortunate. A wealthy heiress who headed up the design team at her family’s fashion house, she has enjoyed the life of a busy socialite and successful businesswoman....
Philanthropy takes many shapes and for Mia Morris, whose parents came to the UK from Grenada, giving is all about CSR – community social responsibility.
J.K. Rowling © J. P. Masclet
When she was the Royal Ballet’s principal dancer Darcey Bussell did shows for charity, but since her retirement last year her philanthropy has taken a more central role.
Inspiring women
As Britain’s ‘new philanthropists’ are changing the giving landscape in the UK, there has been another important trend that has gone largely unrecognised: the growing involvement...
UK media overage
An analysis of every published article about philanthropy in UK newspapers in 2006 revealed a distinct difference in the way the media reports the activities of male and female philanthropists.
Historical icons
Barbara Leigh Smith Bodichon
