“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.”
— Helen Keller
In a recent article in the NonProfit Times, entitled “The $5 Billion Battle of the Sexes,” women came out on top in one aspect of the age-old rivalry. Gifts from women topped those from men by almost $5 billion in 2005, which was the last year the IRS incorporated gender information in its publicly accessible gift tax return data. What makes these numbers so impressive is that, according to the IRS, a few years earlier, in 1997, men gave $17.6 billion in gifts and women gave $14.7 billion.
The differences highlighted in the article raise many questions. Were more women retiring in 2005 than in 1997? Were more women reaching an age at which they were more comfortable giving larger sums? Were more women entering the world of higher tax brackets at a faster pace? When you look at Forbes‘ list of the most powerful women, for example, you can’t help but notice the philanthropic streak in women like Melinda Gates and Oprah Winfrey.
Breaking through barriers and solving some of the world’s or the country’s most devastating problems requires money. But giving is not an act solely defined by money; you can always lend your talent to AAUW’s note card design contest, volunteer your time to a worthy cause, or simply remain active in your community.
Even though the gifts women gave in 2005 are compelling, it is important to note that 72 percent of them came from cash — not necessarily the most efficient way to minimize gift and estate taxes. Perhaps women give more cash because they don’t think of giving as just a tax write-off. Do you think that women give money because they face more barriers in society, so the causes they support hit closer to home? Or is difference between men’s and women’s giving a matter of “female DNA”?
About a month ago a favorite magazine of mine, Bitch (http://bitchmagazine.org/about), announced that they needed to raise $40,000 by October 15th in order to print their next issue. Bitch is a nonprofit, independent, feminist media organization so they rely heavily on their supporters and donations. In times like these when I have my own financial issues to worry about I’m not always the most giving with the savings I do have. But as soon as I saw Bitch’s call for help I immediately and without second thought donated. Three days later, Bitch had already reached their fund raising goal of $40,000. I was absolutely amazed and inspired. To me this means that I’m not alone in craving feminist voices in the media, and that their are women across the nation that share my values. It also means that a feminist media source like Bitch is so important to us that we could raise enough money for the next issue in just three days.
I’m not sure what the reasons are behind the gap between men and women when it comes to giving. However, I’m glad to see that even in rough financial times women can still find the strength to reach into their pockets and help when it comes to the issues we really care about.
Men dont give money but they give time and life.