4 September, 2026

Katherine McCormick, a feminist activist and one of the richest women in 1950s America, donated a significant share of her $758 million fortune (in today’s terms) to fund the development of the first contraceptive pill. Yet you have likely never heard of her. McCormick’s story reflects a broader trend: women’s philanthropic contributions are often less visible than those of their male counterparts.

According to the Charities Aid Foundation, women are disproportionately represented among the world’s “super givers”, donating a greater share of their wealth and building longer-term partnerships with charities. However, they are far less likely to publicise their donations. They are also more likely to take a holistic approach, aligning their investments with the causes they support. For example, they are less likely to fund climate action while also having investments in big oil.

Philanthropy is also likely to become increasingly female in the future. A 2025 UBS report found that while two thirds of the world’s biggest donors are still men, women’s wealth is growing at twice the rate of men’s. If this trend continues, a greater share of philanthropic giving will come from women, potentially making the giving patterns already associated with female donors more influential across the sector.

One of the questions this raises is whether good deeds need good publicity. There is an argument that recognition can inspire others to give, and that greater visibility could encourage more generosity. But if women’s influence on philanthropy continues to grow, the more significant shift may be elsewhere. If female donors continue to favour long-term partnerships, greater alignment between wealth and values, and impact over recognition, the longer-term impacts on the culture and shape of philanthropy could be profound.

By Charity Rymer