PHILANTHROPY AS AN EXPRESSION OF FEMINISM: ALIGNING A TRADTIONALLY MASCULINE CONCEPT WITH A DECIDEDLY FEMINIST IDEAL

Abstract

On the surface, philanthropy and feminism do not necessarily seem to be compatible. Philanthropy is often viewed as an elitist, masculine pursuit, thanks in part to Industrial Age philanthropists such as Rockefeller and Carnegie who added a capitalistic and patriarchal flavor to the concept in the early twentieth century that lingers to this day. Feminism, by contrast, may seem at odds with a potentially oppressive social construction that appears to be the manifestation of possessing money and power. However, extensive research and investigation into both philanthropy and feminism reveals a provocative truth: that philanthropy and feminism are not only aligned, but also that philanthropy, in its purest form, may in fact be considered a powerful expression of feminism. This paper, through an in-depth analysis of philanthropy and feminism that eradicates the stereotypes associated with each, exposes some fundamental congruencies between the two and demonstrates that philanthropy can and does express feminist ideals. A case study featuring one of the largest philanthropic foundations in the world, the Ford Foundation, supports this theory and reveals some significant, and perhaps surprising, truths about conducting philanthropy with a feminist consciousness. This paper illuminates the fact that understanding philanthropy as a vehicle for expressing feminist objectives has important implications for fundraisers who seek to attract female donors to their causes and for women who seek to have increased influence on the areas of society that are touched and shaped by philanthropy.