E102: Rethinking Women's Giving: Insights on Philanthropy, Data & Donor Engagement with Jacqueline Ackerman

I am thrilled to welcome Jacqueline Ackerman, interim director of the Women's Philanthropy Institute (WPI), to the podcast. In this episode, we’re unpacking how women give and why understanding those patterns can completely reshape how we approach nonprofit fundraising strategies.

Jacqueline brings a rich perspective, combining data, empathy, and decades of research to challenge traditional donor engagement approaches. From giving circles to intergenerational wealth transfer, we discuss what it means to meet women donors where they are and how fundraisers can adapt to support more values-aligned, inclusive philanthropy.

In this episode:

• [02:40] Jacqueline’s personal journey into women’s philanthropy
• [05:37] The research process behind WPI’s donor data
• [09:25] How women’s giving differs from men’s giving
• [13:10] Why affinity trumps capacity in donor engagement
• [16:29] Collective giving and how giving circles work
• [21:29] The value of engaging a giving circle
• [23:29] The case for affinity-based fundraising groups
• [26:13] Gen Z and cause-driven giving trends
• [31:05] One simple step to engage women donors more effectively
• [35:00] Addressing women correctly in donor communications

RESOURCES

Women Give 2021 report on how households make charitable decisions

WPI's

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CONNECT WITH HALEY
Haley is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), Stress Management Coach, and EmC trainer. She founded The Savvy Fundraiser, a nonprofit consulting and coaching business, and has experience with nonprofits in human services, homelessness, and youth sectors. Specializing in EmC, leadership, board development, and fundraising, Haley is dedicated to empowering nonprofit leaders to create thriving organizations.
Instagram: @thesavvyfundraiser
LinkedIn: Haley Cooper, CFRE
Website: thesavvyfundraiser.com

Produced by Ideablossoms