Let me bust a myth right out of the gate: philanthropy is not just for billionaires in ball gowns writing seven-figure checks.
Philanthropy is for you. Yes, you…
The woman juggling kids, career, side hustle, or maybe just trying to get through the week without losing your damn mind. If you’ve ever given your time, your talent, or your money to something bigger than yourself, congratulations—you’re a philanthropist!
That’s the conversation I had with Hope Ogletree, Senior Director of Development at Fordham’s Gabelli School of Business and leader of Fordham’s Women’s Philanthropy Initiatives. Hope is rewriting the script on how women think about wealth, giving, and legacy, and trust me, she’s got the receipts.
Women Control the Wealth (and the Future of Giving)
Here’s a stat that might make you sit up straighter: women already control two-thirds of U.S. wealth. And that number is only going up as trillions transfer generationally over the next decade.
So why don’t we see ourselves as the primary decision-makers in philanthropy? Why do we downplay the checks we write, the organizations we support, or the networks we build?
Hope says it’s because too often we confuse philanthropy with prestige (fancy galas and naming rights) instead of what it really is: a choice to invest in people, communities, and causes that matter.
Giving Looks Different for Women
Unlike the stereotypical “transactional” giving, women are driven by connection and impact. We don’t want a plaque on a wall. We want to know how the dollars translate into lives changed.
That’s why giving circles are exploding in popularity. They’re like book clubs, but with purpose: a group of women pools resources, chooses a cause, and funds it together. The money multiplies, the relationships deepen, and the impact skyrockets.
It’s not just philanthropy; it’s community.
Here’s where the conversation gets spicy: if you don’t understand your money, you can’t fully own your power. Period.
Hope is adamant that financial literacy is a non-negotiable for women. You don’t need to be a Wall Street trader, but you do need to know what’s coming in, what’s going out, and how to align your money with your values.
Because when you know your numbers, you stop apologizing for your giving. You stop asking, “Is this enough?” and start declaring, “This is what matters.”
Trust Is the Currency of Philanthropy
Philanthropy isn’t about transactions; it’s about relationships. Hope shared story after story about how women give when they feel seen, valued, and trusted.
And here’s the kicker: once women start giving, they don’t just write one check and walk away.
They lean in.
They join boards.
They become advocates.
They invite their networks.
They build movements.
That’s the multiplier effect no spreadsheet can capture.
If you’ve ever told yourself, “I don’t give enough to matter,” it’s time to retire that BS story.
You give every time you mentor a colleague, support a fundraiser, donate to a local cause, or show up for your community. That’s philanthropy. And when women start owning that identity? We change the game.
So stop waiting to feel “rich enough” or “ready enough.” Start where you are. Give what you can. Connect with others who care.
Because philanthropy isn’t about wealth; it’s about will. And women? We’ve got plenty of that.
With possibility (and unapologetic generosity),
~ Monique