Spark Women's Philanthropy

01/01/2026

✨ Where Women Hold Real Power ... and Why It Matters ✨

The 2025 World’s Most Powerful Women list from Forbes reinforces something we see every day in our work: women are holding, and reshaping, power across government, finance, technology, philanthropy, and global influence.

But what stands out isn’t just where women lead ... it’s how.

Across sectors, these women are:

• Directing capital with purpose

• Leveraging influence to build systems (not just titles)

• Centering long-term impact over short-term wins

• Expanding who benefits from power, not guarding it

This mirrors what decades of research , and lived experience, tell us about women’s leadership and giving:

💡 Women lead collectively

💡 Women give strategically and relationally

💡 Women measure success by impact, not ego

At Spark Women’s & Inclusive Philanthropy, we believe power is most meaningful when it’s shared, values-driven, and used to create access and opportunity, especially for communities historically excluded from traditional systems of influence.

The question isn’t whether women hold power. The question is: how are we using it and who are we bringing with us?

👇 I’d love to hear:

Who are the women using their power well in your world?

12/31/2025

✨ As we close out the year and step into a new one… ✨

This past year reminded us of the power of women who give with intention, lead with heart, and believe in building something bigger together. At Spark Women’s Philanthropy, we’ve seen what’s possible when generosity is rooted in connection, values, and collective impact.

As we welcome the new year, we’re lighting the way for more bold conversations, more inclusive giving, and more women stepping confidently into their philanthropic power.

Here’s to a year of sparking change, amplifying voices, and turning purpose into action.

💫 Happy New Year from Spark Women’s Philanthropy

11/05/2025

✨ Herstory in the making! ✨
Virginia is electing its first-ever female governor today and that means no matter the outcome, a woman will lead the Commonwealth for the first time in 400+ years.

This is more than a political milestone… it’s a powerful symbol of progress for every young girl who dares to dream big. 💜

Tag a woman who inspires you to lead boldly!

11/04/2025

Your Voice. Your Vote. Your Power.💪

At Spark Women’s Philanthropy, we believe in the collective power of women to create lasting change … in our communities, our institutions, and our world. Today is a reminder that philanthropy and civic engagement go hand in hand.

When women show up… whether at the ballot box, in boardrooms, or in giving circles, we shape the future with compassion, courage, and conviction. 🗳️✨

Let’s continue to lead, lift, and amplify voices that move us toward greater equity and inclusion. Every vote is an act of hope and every act of hope moves us forward.

09/23/2025

✨ Shonda Rhimes is once again rewriting the narrative, this time in philanthropy.✨

Her $25M gift to Dartmouth, including $15M for a new residence hall, will make history as the first building at the university named for a woman or Black alumnus. As Rhimes said, “It is possible to remake [Dartmouth] to include my image… philanthropy can set an example and open doors for other people to see what's possible.”

This is exactly why Spark Women’s Philanthropy exists. When women give, they don’t just change institutions, they reshape who feels seen, who belongs, and who will walk through those doors next. Representation in philanthropy is not symbolic; it is transformational.

Our work at Spark Women's Philanthropy is dedicated to ensuring women and other often overlooked donors are recognized, engaged, and celebrated for their full philanthropic power. Because when we broaden who is included in philanthropy, we broaden what’s possible for everyone.

👉 Read more about Rhimes’ historic gift: https://lnkd.in/ee8UqRuR

The television mogul is giving $15 million for a new residence hall. It will be the first building at the university named for a woman or Black alumna.

08/21/2025

Honoring Jane Batten — Are Our Advancement Strategies Ready for Women’s Philanthropic Ascendance?

Virginia Wesleyan University will officially become Batten University on July 1, 2026, in recognition of nearly five decades of transformative philanthropy by Jane Batten and her family.

Jane Batten’s support has been nothing short of foundational: from the Batten Honors College to an environmental sciences center, scholarships, endowed professorships, and enabling the relocation of the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art to campus. According to The Washington Post, total giving may approach $150 million, with key gifts including $20 million for a student center, $30 million for the environmental sciences building, and $80 million to endow the honors college .

This is more than a renaming… it’s a legacy. As the latest institution to adopt the name of a living philanthropist, Batten University follows storied peers like Yale and Vanderbilt in symbolizing how individual vision can redefine an institution.

But here’s the bigger picture: Over the coming decades, women are poised to control unprecedented wealth, and yet traditional advancement and fundraising strategies often remain centered on male donors and conventional stewardship models.

Jane Batten’s story challenges us to ask:
❓Are our fundraising teams equipped to engage deeply with women philanthropists?
❓ Do our strategies reflect the shifting demographics and leadership of giving?
❓ How might our institutions recalibrate advancement frameworks to better include and celebrate women’s philanthropic impact?

At Spark Women’s Philanthropy, we believe today’s story is a clarion call: invest in understanding, elevating, and empowering women donors, because their vision, generosity, and leadership are already reshaping institutions like Batten University.

Let’s open the conversation. How are you ensuring that your advancement efforts are inclusive of women’s philanthropy, today and for tomorrow?



Next year, Virginia Wesleyan University will officially change its name to Batten University, honoring local philanthropist Jane Batten.

08/16/2025

The Gates Foundation is investing $2.5 billion in women’s health research,an incredible step toward equity. At Spark Women’s Philanthropy, we believe every nonprofit can tap into powerful, often unseen donor communities who care deeply about making change. We partner with organizations to engage these donors, helping them raise more money for the issues that matter most. 💜

Gates Foundation commits $2.5 billion to women’s health R&D. The foundation’s largest commitment ever to women’s health research and development will advance more than 40 innovations in five critical, chronically underfunded areas….

07/24/2025

💡 Reminder to Philanthropy Leaders: Affinity Trumps Capacity... Always 💡

We say this often about women’s giving, and it’s true. But the same principle holds across all identity groups: Black, Latino/a, LGBTQ+, Asian American, Indigenous, and others historically overlooked or under-engaged in philanthropy.

If you’re only looking at wealth capacity and not at values, community ties, or lived experience, you’re missing the heart of why people give.

✨ People give because they care. Because they see themselves in the mission. Because they want to belong. ✨

This isn’t just a women’s giving insight. It’s a universal truth that disrupts traditional donor models built for ,and by, a narrow slice of our population.

🟣 Affinity builds trust.

🟣 Affinity fuels connection.

🟣 Affinity is what turns a gift into a legacy.

It’s time we stop chasing checkbooks and start building relationships that honor identity, inclusion, and impact. The future of philanthropy isn’t about who has the most, it’s about who feels most invited in.

Let’s build fundraising strategies rooted in belonging, not just bank accounts.



**Listen to the Lead with Heart podcast for more inspiration on this topic!

Women give differently than men. On episode 102 of the Lead with Heart Podcast, I had the privilege of speaking with Jacqueline Ackerman, interim director of the Women’s Philanthropy Institute.

07/21/2025

“How Women Funders Are Building a Gender-Equity Movement” is a must-read from The Chronicle of Philanthropy. At a time when many are scaling back DEI investments, women philanthropists are stepping up, offering bold, trust-based support to advance gender equity.

From my work with women donors, I’ve seen this firsthand: they give collaboratively, lead with values, and invest where it matters most. One insight that sticks with me, “When we give with trust, not strings, we enable resilience.”

This article is a powerful reminder that women are not just giving, they’re changing the rules of the game.

Spark Women's Philanthropy

Female philanthropists say they are increasing donations to nonprofits affected by anti-DEI policies, per a new survey from Women Moving Millions. They also have tips for doing so.

05/27/2025

What an energizing and affirming conversation this past Thursday on women’s philanthropy! 🙌

Grateful to everyone who joined us for the Women Who Give Network webinar on “Exploring the Power of Women’s Philanthropy” especially our thoughtful attendees from both sides of the Atlantic.

Together, we unpacked the values and strategies that shape women’s giving, the transformational story of Women for Madison and the Amethyst Circle, and how to translate U.S. insights meaningfully into the U.K. context. 🇺🇸🇬🇧

From the 6️⃣ principles of women’s philanthropy to the 7️⃣ T’s—time, talent, treasure, testimony, ties, trust, and transparency—you reminded us that when we center women, we center community, equity, and lasting impact.

Huge thanks to Alex Townsend, my dear friend and mentee, our incredible participants, and everyone who is helping to change the face of philanthropy.

Let’s keep the momentum going—DM me if you’d like to connect or talk more about how this work can show up in your community.

05/05/2025

Young women are not just the future of philanthropy—they are the now. 💰

The latest post from Candid beautifully underscores the powerful and growing role of young women changemakers in shaping philanthropic efforts worldwide. 🌎

From advancing climate justice to championing gender equity, young women are bringing new energy, fresh perspectives, and a deep commitment to intersectional, community-rooted giving.

Their approach isn’t just generous—it’s strategic, bold, and systems-focused.

As we work to build more inclusive and effective giving models, we must elevate, fund, and trust emerging women leaders in philanthropy.

Let’s create space at the table—and hand them the mic.🎤

Candid insights | As women inherit an estimated $30 trillion by 2030, find out why educating and empowering young women in philanthropy promises to accelerate these future leaders' collaborative and impact-driven giving and advance the entire sector in the process.

04/03/2025

What an incredible experience at the 2025 AAWP Conference this year! From powerful keynote speakers Cat Slack, Carme Williams, CFRE , and Anne Murphy to thought-provoking sessions and meaningful conversations, the entire event was filled with purpose, passion, and connection.

In a time when equity, leadership, and bold philanthropy are more important than ever, this work takes on even greater urgency. We left feeling inspired, recharged, and ready to lead with intention.

The AAWP community continues to prove that when women come together, transformational change follows.

Huge thanks to Elon University, Jill H. Stratton and her team for being such a welcoming and generous host. A very special shoutout to my AAWP partners-in-crime Val Cushman and Sallie-Grace Tate for co-leading this amazing organization and this conference!

Here’s to building on this momentum—because this work can’t wait.