Philanthropy - a Hot Topic in China

Welcome guest blogger Heng Qu!

Autumn is my favorite season. It has always been the beginnings of most wonderful things in my life. For example, my first contact with China’s nonprofits happened in the fall of 2005.  It was the first time I felt the power and potential of the nonprofit sector in China. Through research about a grassroots NGO that mainly serves migrant workers in Guangzhou, I became aware of NGOs’ capability to fill the gap in social services and their role in democracy.  I learned they were hampered by their weak organizational capacity as well as limitations set by the government. The experience starting from that fall motivated me to come to the US to study philanthropy systematically. And this fall, I began to work with the Women’s Philanthropy Institute at the IU Center on Philanthropy. As a young Chinese woman studying for a Ph.D. in Philanthropic Studies in the US, I have a great opportunity to do a research project on women’s philanthropy in China. I am quite sure this is just another wonderful event of my life starting at magical autumn. 

China’s nonprofit sector and philanthropy have developed rapidly over the past few years. Only five years ago, there were no private foundations in Mainland China and grassroots nonprofits struggled just to survive.  They lacked the necessary infrastructure support, management skills, and operating resources. The Sichuan earthquake in 2008 was a turning point for China’s nonprofit sector. It stimulated an outpouring of volunteerism and public donations.  Many nonprofits responded almost immediately from all over the country to the disaster.  It is believed that as a result of cooperating with the nonprofit sector for the earthquake relief and recovery, the government’s attitude toward the sector began to change. After that, several other major natural disasters along with China’s global “coming-out” events such as the Olympics and the World Expo have stimulated more awareness and attention on the sector than ever before. Philanthropy now has become a hot topic in China. As a result, professional knowledge is urgently needed in this rapidly growing sector.

I am gaining knowledge about nonprofits and philanthropy by studying at the Center on Philanthropy in hope of applying it to the development of nonprofits and philanthropy in China in the future. Working with WPI gives me the first opportunity to combine my knowledge about American philanthropy with my desire to strengthen China’s nonprofit sector. Moreover, at WPI, I am more aware of my gender as a female than ever before. Gender inequality is a bitter reality not only in China but also around the world. On the other hand, it is exciting to know some women leaders are making great impact in the areas such as education, poverty relief, environmental protection, and women’s rights through philanthropy in China. And I can’t wait to inform Chinese women through my research project that they have the power to make an impact through philanthropy, a new way to hold up half the sky.

Heng Qu is from Anhui Province, China. She is a second-year PhD student at the Center on Philanthropy and a research assistant at the Women’s Philanthropy Institute.

The Times - They Are Changing

Two articles, juxtaposed in the Sunday New York Times (9/19/2010) reminded me how times have changed for women in business and philanthropy.  Roxanne Rivera, Chief Executive of the Associated Builders and Contractors of New Mexico, described how she built her business and succeeded in the predominantly male oriented construction field.  Award winning jewelry designer Judith Ripka wrote about how “hard it was to find a voice in an industry dominated by men.”  What struck me was how many comparisons to the world of women’s philanthropy reverberated throughout the narratives.

In the 1970s and 80s, when these pioneering women started their companies, philanthropy was the province of rich white men.  To some it still is.  But Rivera states, “[i]f you are a woman hesitating to seek a desired career in a traditionally male-centric company, know that the current climate is in your favor.  Management is starting to recognize that women can perform as well as men – and that we bring qualities to the table that men often lack.”  Ripka remembers that in 1977 women were “few and far between and not taken as seriously.  In hindsight, it was a blessing because it caused me to work even harder.” 

Today, women around the world are working harder, bringing high energy, new ideas, and innovative ways of effecting change to philanthropy.  Candy Lightner founded Mothers Against Drunk Driving in 1980 shortly after her 13 year old daughter was hit by a repeat drunk driving offender.  By gathering information, bringing attention to the issue, and focusing on policy and legislative changes, Candy and her team developed a movement against drunk driving.  Today MADD has more than a $50 million annual budget.

Sisters Helen LaKelly Hunt and Swanee Hunt are the driving force behind the Women Moving Millions campaign which raised $181 million through 101 gifts of $1 million or more from women philanthropists to create sustainable social change in women’s funds.  They exceeded their initial goal by 20 percent and changed how the world sees philanthropy.

Donna Berber started A Glimmer of Hope Foundation with her husband Philip to help the rural poor in Ethiopia lift themselves out of poverty.  She had been deeply moved by the images of the Ehtiopian people during the famine in the mid 1980s.  Following the sale of the couples’ company to Charles Schwab she guided the development of the social profit enterprise.

Rivera, Ripka, Lightner, Hunt, and Berber are trailblazers, illuminating the path for others to follow.  Yet, Rivera reminds us that more is needed.  “But remember that many traditions die hard and that prejudices linger in many industries and companies.  Only if more women enter these fields will lasting change occur.”  The possibilities are great and the opportunities limitless for women’s voices to be heard in philanthropy.  Join the conversation today.    

The Changing Philanthropic Landscape

How do you change the way people think about a subject? At the Women’s Philanthropy Institute we focus on research, education and knowledge dissemination to change the way people think about women and philanthropy. Our experience is that research findings outpace society’s perceptions about the role and influence of women and giving. Research shows that women are MORE LIKELY to give and GIVE MORE than men. And, these findings account for factors that influence philanthropic behavior such as income, education, race, religious attendance, and children. Melinda Gates gets it and she is not bashful about ensuring that women are part of the conversation.

Melinda Gates recently talked about the influence of women in philanthropy.

Prior to the announcement of the Giving Pledge Ms. Gates said, “Even if he’s the one that made the money, she’s going to be a real gatekeeper. And she’s got to go along with any philanthropic plan, because it affects her and it affects their kids.” Read more about Melinda’s perspective in Patricia Seller’s article, “Billionaire peer pressure: Behind the Buffett-Gates challenge.”

Conventional wisdom suggests that internal and external barriers impede progress in our ability to fully leverage women’s influence and impact in philanthropy. I’ve heard fundraisers and female donors say that women do not think of themselves as philanthropists. Case in point – only one of the first 40 to sign the Giving Pledge was a solo woman – Shelby White. Congratulations Shelby! You are an inspiration to women worldwide.

We are dedicated to pushing out the knowledge that will help you as influential leaders and/or engaged philanthropists recognize that women have the social and financial capital; the drive; and the passion to make a difference in the 21st century. You are vital to this effort. Please join us for two conferences in 2010-2011 that explore the various ways in which women lead through philanthropy.

        • Upholding Our Half: Making the Case for Women’s Philanthropy, offered in partnership with the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, on October 28-29, 2010 in Chicago. Geared primarily for development staff in higher and independent education, this conference focuses on integrating women donors more fully within an existing fundraising strategy and institutional culture

        • Women World Wide Leading through Philanthropy, the Center on Philanthropy’s 2011 symposium, examines how and why women lead, give, and collaborate to strengthen communities around the globe.

Together, through learning, dialogue, and action we can leverage the resources of all to lead through philanthropy.

Center on Philanthropy 2011 Symposium Women World Wide Leading through Philanthropy

When we confirmed the theme of women and global philanthropy for the 2011 symposium, we knew we had found enough material for three or four conferences or one conference that stretched for weeks. What we’ve found on the journey is amazing, awesome, inspiring, and transformative.

There are topical conferences that explore the pressing issues of our day. Yes, there are donor conferences. The Global Philanthropy Forum and the Clinton Global Initiative are two powerful examples. But we could not find conferences that specifically explore how and why women lead through philanthropy in different cultures and regions of the globe. And so, we are pleased to add to the knowledge base with the 2011 symposium, Women World Wide Leading through Philanthropy. The Center on Philanthropy has convened symposia since 1988, leveraging our ability to bring together scholars, researchers, practitioners, donors, and volunteers for lively interactive conversations; providing opportunities to build and to expand networks; and inspiring deeper understanding of timely issues of our day.

The stories I’ve heard in developing the program are a powerful testament to the commitment, fortitude, and passion of women all around the world who are determined to strengthen their home communities and communities 10,000 miles from their homes and to leave the globe a better place. Alice Lau in Guangdong Province, China told us that she reached out immediately to help the earthquake victims in Haiti. Alice was one of the first responders to the devastating 2008 earthquakes in Sichuan, China. Donna Berber, an English woman now living in Austin, TX who is founder and Co-Chair of A Glimmer of Hope Foundation, said, “I believe we all have a shared responsibility to humankind to relieve some of the pain and suffering in the world.” And Judge Patricia Riley of Indianapolis, IN is passionate about raising funds for LACE, the Legal Aid Center of Eldoret, following her trip to Kenya with Rotary.

We are pleased that several of our colleagues who work around the intersection of gender, philanthropy, and the global community will present their scholarly research findings at the symposium. Dr. Femida Handy, an economics professor at the University of Pennsylvania, spent the summer analyzing donor motivations for giving to India’s largest online giving portal GiveIndia. Dr. Pamala Wiepking, Assistant Professor at VU University in Amsterdam, will share results of a project she’s been working on – cross-national gender differences in giving internationally. And, Dr. Jackie Butcher de Rivas, will talk about giving and volunteering in Mexico. Her research has shattered myths about who volunteers in that country.

In the next few months, guest bloggers from our symposium committee, symposium speakers, and members of the WPI Council will share thoughts and perspectives with you about the role of women in transforming our communities and world. We want to hear from you – your stories, your experiences, your research – as we look to build a global community around the transformative power of women and philanthropy.