Giving to organizations focused on women and girls reached a record $12.1 billion in 2024, according to the newly released Women & Girls Index 2026: Measuring Giving to Women's and Girls' Organizations from the Women's Philanthropy Institute at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.

The report analyzes IRS data from 58,851 charitable organizations and offers important insights into the state of philanthropy supporting women and girls nationwide.

While the $12.1 billion milestone is encouraging, the findings also highlight an ongoing opportunity: organizations focused on women and girls continue to receive just over 2% of total charitable giving in the United States.

What the Research Tells Us

The 2026 Index identifies several important trends:

• Giving reached a new high. Contributions to women's and girls' organizations surpassed $12 billion for the first time in 2024.

• The share of philanthropy remains small. These organizations received more than 2% of total charitable contributions for the third consecutive year.

• Growth has not been consistent. Although giving increased in nominal dollars, inflation-adjusted support remained below the historic 2022 peak.

• Funding priorities continue to evolve. Giving to reproductive health and family planning organizations declined from its 2022 high, while support for human services and women's health organizations gained ground.

Together, these findings reflect meaningful progress while underscoring the importance of sustained philanthropic investment.

Why This Matters to Philanos

• For Philanos, the Index reinforces the importance of women's collective giving and the role our national network plays in strengthening philanthropy.
• Across the country, Philanos Affiliates bring women together to learn about community needs, pool resources, and make informed grantmaking decisions. Their work supports a broad range of nonprofit organizations and issues, including many that directly impact women and girls.
• The Index provides valuable context for these efforts. It helps giving circles better understand national funding trends, consider where resources are going, and identify opportunities to make a difference in their own communities.
• It also reinforces the value of connecting giving circles with one another. Through Philanos, Affiliates share grantmaking approaches, learn from peers, and exchange ideas that can strengthen their local impact.

An Opportunity for Affiliates and Partners

• The findings offer Philanos Affiliates and philanthropic partners an opportunity to engage donors in conversations about funding priorities and the needs of women and girls.
• Community foundations, women's foundations, and other partners that support collective giving can also use this research to inform donor education, encourage participation, and explore opportunities for collaboration.
• Importantly, the Index measures giving to organizations specifically focused on women and girls, not the full scope of grantmaking by women's giving circles. Philanos Affiliates support a wide range of community needs, and their collective impact extends across the nonprofit sector.
• As giving circles continue to grow and evolve, research like the Women & Girls Index helps inform their work and demonstrates why sustained, intentional philanthropy matters.

At Philanos, we believe in the power of women giving together to strengthen communities. 

• The 2026 Index is an important reminder of the progress being made and the opportunity ahead.

Explore the Women & Girls Index 2026

Source: Women's Philanthropy Institute, Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, Women & Girls Index 2026.