She Gives: Women’s growing philanthropic power highlighted in new campaign

What’s missing in the picture of philanthropy? The answer is more stories of women’s giving. Figures show women give a greater proportion of their income than men and are set to inherit trillions in family wealth, yet they feature far less in the media and stories the sector itself shares. The She Gives campaign was launched this week to change this. Philanthropy Australia is proud to be a sector partner of She Gives.

The campaign is backed by new research and a number of high-profile female leaders in the sector. The campaign will celebrate the collective contributions of women across Australia who are making a positive difference in many causes, with the aim of inspiring more giving nationally.

Women’s wealth is growing. The Australian Financial Review reported that in the year prior to March 2024, the wealth of the country’s top 75 richest women has increased by 30%. Women are also poised to come into greater economic power in coming decades, inheriting up to $3.4 trillion or two-thirds of the intergenerational wealth transfer due in the next 20 years in Australia.

Figures show that women give a greater percentage of their income than men and a greater proportion of women give than men (data from 2020/21 showed there were 29.39% of Australian female taxpayers vs 26.08% of Australian male taxpayers).

The She Gives campaign seeks to highlight the catalytic potential impact of women’s giving and harness the collective power, networks and ambition of Australian women to accelerate positive social change in the face of growing need.

The research paper entitled Behind She Gives says that based on consultation with more than 60 philanthropic leaders, many feel women’s giving does not receive the same level of visibility and recognition as our male counterparts. This is backed up by media analysis showing that of the 100 top stories on Australian philanthropy in the financial year 2023-24, a man was the philanthropist focus of 54 stories, 32 focused on an organisation or foundation and only 14 had a female philanthropist as the central figure.

The She Gives campaign will share 100 inspiring stories online via the She Gives website and social media that showcase the collective power of giving to all causes, at all levels, that deliver positive social change. The stories reflect the cultural richness of Australia and include many First Nations voices and the experiences of women from multicultural, LGBTIQ+, regional and rural communities.

She Gives was launched at a Melbourne event on 24 July with a panel discussion featuring Tanya Hosch (Executive General Manager, Inclusion and Social Policy, AFL), Carol Schwartz AO (founding Chair of both Trawalla Foundation and Women’s Leadership Institute Australia) and Tania Austin (Owner DECJUBA, Founder DECJUBA Foundation).

The Sydney launch on 25 July included a panel discussion featuring Camilla Freeman-Topper (Creative Director, CAMILLA AND MARC), Larissa Behrendt AO (Laureate Fellow, Jumbunna Institute, UTS) and Georgina Byron AM (CEO of the Snow Foundation, Chair of Sydney Women’s Fund Advisory Group and Co-Chair of Deadly Hearts Limited).

Campaign founder Melissa Smith (main image, top) said women now and into the future will play a critical role in driving philanthropy forward to meet significant need, and it was important their extraordinary contribution to social change is recognised and celebrated.

“For too long, giving by women has remained in the shadows, reinforcing a common perception that philanthropy is dominated by men,” Melissa said. 

“Women are having incredible impact at so many levels and by sharing these inspiring stories and celebrating their contributions, we hope to encourage other women to see themselves in the same light and ultimately inspire more to give, give more and give more impactfully.”

The campaign has a stellar advisory group including Clare Ainsworth Herschell, Georgina Byron AM, Caitriona Fay, Natalie Egleton, Paula McLean, Tanya Hosch, Michelle Lin, Professor Kristy Muir, Amanda Miller OAM, Carol Schwartz AO, Melissa Smith and Deanne Weir.