The History of Women and
Philanthropy

Believe it or not, women started participating in charitable giving well before they entered the workforce or typically had financial decision-making power in the family. In today’s episode, I interview Karen McNeill, PhD, Director of Human Capital at JFG Wealth Management, about the history of women and philanthropy and how women have used charitable endeavors to shape the world around us.

In addition to her role at JFG Wealth Management, Dr. McNeill is a trustee on the board of the Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation. Her scholarly work focuses on women and gender in the architectural profession and how Progressive Era women used the built environment to expand their roles in society as consumers, reformers, educators, and professionals.

Listen to the podcast and learn about women’s historical roots in philanthropy and how you can carry on the tradition in your own life – no matter what your economic status is.

Listen to this podcast and discover:

• A simple definition of philanthropy
• Why women tend to be more passionate about charitable giving than men 
• How to increase your impact on the causes you care about 
• Advice for financial advisors working with women around giving  
• Tips for being an effective philanthropist

Want to connect with Karen? Here’s how: 

• JFG Wealth Mangement
• Karen McNeill’s LinkedIn
• Recommended reading:
  • “Women Who Build”: Julia Morgan and Women’s Institutions
  • Free to All Carnegie Libraries & American Culture, 1890-1920 Abigail A. Van Slyck
  • Seeing with Their Hearts: Chicago Women and the Vision of the Good City, 1871-1933 by Maureen A. Flanagan,  published by Princeton University Press