#4/25 FE-lanthropy

Dear Readers,

when Mark Zuckerberg calls for more “masculine energy” and Donald Trump abolishes diversity programs and gender rights by Executive Order, it seems to me more important than ever to shine the spotlight on those who have been shaping giving more and more for years: women, and especially women who advocate for gender equity. And who not only give more than ever before, but also go about it in a completely different way than traditional foundations. I see this on the global philanthropy stage, in my networks, and also on my foundation platform bcause. Currently, philanthropy is turning into a “FE-lanthropy”.

Fittingly: With this article on the bcause blog, experts Karin Heisecke und Loubna Messaoudi (Executive Director BIWOC* Rising) have created a great inspiration and overview. Thank you very much indeed!

Yours, Felix

A number that sticks in your mind: 75 %

This is the share of funding on bcause made by female users. Directly, without their own institutions and effort. And often together like in this giving circle on the topic of climate justice, which has already mobilized €183,000.

In institutional philanthropy, men dominate. But the two biggest global philanthropy stories are Mackenzie Scott, who has donated over eleven billion dollars since 2019 (without building a new foundation for it), and Melinda French Gates, who has now started distributing billions independently of the Gates Foundation.

Is it a coincidence that so many of the driving forces behind this kind of New Giving are women? Well, women have more to give than in the past, because their share of wealth is increasing through vertical (inheritance) and horizontal (divorce) transfer. Just as important, however: Their giving does not just bring more money, but brings innovation, more eye-level, and collectivity. That is not simply philanthropy, but FE-lanthropy.

A person who inspires me: Ise Bosch

Also in Germany there is a shining example of the New Giving. The Süddeutsche Zeitung recently reported on Ise Bosch on a full page under the title "Super-rich women donate differently". I remember her receiving the German Donor Award in 2018. At the award ceremony, close to a thousand foundation representatives listened as she described her transformative philanthropy - and how she consciously does almost everything exactly differently from everyone else in the room.

What impresses me so much: Ise Bosch always thinks immediately in community. For women in similar situations, she established the heiresses network Pecunia, for female founders filia.die frauenstiftung. For all donors, she has a book and a website ready with “Geben mit Vertrauen” (Giving with Trust). She wants to take the foundation landscape along with the initiative Vertrauen Macht Wirkung. And her portfolio "Geschlechterdiversität und BiPoC" (Gender Diversity and BiPoC) on bcause also invites participation.

An idea for further thought: Does more giving by women automatically mean more funding for feminist organizations? Not at all.

Why this is so, and why and how this could be changed, is described by Karin Heisecke and Loubna Messaoudi in the above-mentioned article on the bcause blog. They criticize: “Many clever solution approaches have not yet been considered or implemented because they come from women whose work is slowed down by structural disadvantages – and often combined with a lack of access to funding.” After all, this is not a “women's issue", but a “high impact” approach for all issues, as the “five good reasons to fund gender equity” show.

I look forward to reactions and ideas on these questions and am sure that one newsletter is not nearly enough. This is also why Janina Breitling and I dedicated the latest episode of our podcast “Das Neue Geben” entirely to women and their giving and investing - thank you for listening, subscribing, and liking!

Link collection on Gender Lens Philanthropy

Recommendation list on bcause on the topic Gender Equity

About the Author

Felix Oldenburg is an initiator in the areas of social entrepreneurship, impact finance, and online innovations. Prior to founding bcause, he was Secretary General of the Association of German Foundations and Chairman of DAFNE (Donors and Foundations Networks in Europe).

📖 It won't be long now until my book "Der gefesselte Wohlstand" is published - about unused foundation capital, outdated taboos, and how civil society can change the world for the better. 🔗 Pre-order here now