You’re in good company 🙌 👀 💝
When it comes to charitable giving, women are leading the way. That’s right - studies conducted in both the US and the UK show that more women than men contribute financially and volunteer their time to causes. Although data varies somewhat across the world, studies come to the same conclusion - women are in the driver’s seat when it comes to altruism, confirming a long suspected inkling that women are all-around fantastic.
The most recent report published by the British Charities Aid Foundation in 2014showed that over three fifths (63%) of women had participated in at least one of the activities listed - from donating money to volunteering - in the month prior to interview, compared to only 52% of men. According to NPT UK, in 2015 approximately £185 million was raised by bake sales alone and the average monthly donation amount was £14.
Medical research receives the largest share of donations by monetary value. Other popular causes include donating to children and young people, animal and conservation funds and hospitals and hospice care. Saying that, a whopping 70% of potential donors agreed they would be more motivated to give to charity if they knew exactly how their money was helping. If you feel similarly, don’t forget about smaller, more local charities, where you’re more likely to see the direct result of your donation - as well as the power of volunteering.
Interestingly, there are also noticeable generational differences when it comes to giving. For a long time, religious organizations have been the largest recipient of charitable donations, but millennials are giving to educational and art/culture causes at higher rates. Political fluctuations also shape the causes millennials choose to donate to; after the election of Donald Trump, the American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood, the largest women’s health provider in the US, saw a skyrocket in charitable contributions. In an incredible showing of support for women all over the world, Facebook’s COO Sheryl Sandberg alone donated $1 million to Planned Parenthood in February. Now if that’s not empowering, we don’t know what it is!
Credit: Giphy.