Pandemic led men to be more charitable, survey finds

Pandemic led men to be more charitable, survey finds
Women are still more generous than men and became even more interested in philanthropy in 2020.
JUN 23, 2021

The onslaught of the pandemic last year inspired a renewed sense of generosity, with 84% of women saying giving is important to them, a gain of nine percentage points, while 81% of men said giving is important, which was an 11-percentage-point jump, according to a survey by Fidelity Charitable.

In addition, 43% of men said they gave notably more to charity in 2020 than they had the previous year, compared to 34% of women.

“Women will continue to lead charitable giving decisions in many households, but the innate desire to make a difference in the world is more apparent than ever in all donors,” said Pamela Norley, president of Fidelity Charitable. “Men and women still engage in giving very differently, and there are ways that women can do even more.”

Among women, 86% said they wished they could do more to create positive social change, and women participated in many giving activities at higher rates than men, including volunteerism. Two-thirds (67%) of women reported volunteering recently, compared to 56% of men.

More women made nonfinancial gifts, bought from socially responsible businesses or donated through social media or online giving platforms. Women were also more likely than men to rank hunger (45% vs. 34%), access to basic health services (34% vs. 27%) and access to shelter or affordable housing (22% vs. 16%) as the top challenges facing the world.

In spite of participating in many giving activities at higher rates, women were less likely than men to be aware of or engage in many financial strategies that could enable greater impact, Fidelity said in a release.

“Only 17% of women made an impact investment, compared to a quarter of men. Similarly, among women who owned stocks or bonds, 35% were unaware that these assets could have been donated to charity, strategy that potentially minimizes the donor’s tax burden and enables them to make a larger donation,” Fidelity said.

Putting a price tag on ransomware attacks

Latest News

The 2025 InvestmentNews Awards Excellence Awardees revealed
The 2025 InvestmentNews Awards Excellence Awardees revealed

From outstanding individuals to innovative organizations, find out who made the final shortlist for top honors at the IN awards, now in its second year.

Top RIA Cresset warns of 'inevitable' recession amid tariff uncertainty
Top RIA Cresset warns of 'inevitable' recession amid tariff uncertainty

Cresset's Susie Cranston is expecting an economic recession, but says her $65 billion RIA sees "great opportunity" to keep investing in a down market.

Edward Jones joins the crowd to sell more alternative investments
Edward Jones joins the crowd to sell more alternative investments

“There’s a big pull to alternative investments right now because of volatility of the stock market,” Kevin Gannon, CEO of Robert A. Stanger & Co., said.

Record RIA M&A activity marks strong start to 2025
Record RIA M&A activity marks strong start to 2025

Sellers shift focus: It's not about succession anymore.

IB+ Data Hub offers strategic edge for U.S. wealth advisors and RIAs advising business clients
IB+ Data Hub offers strategic edge for U.S. wealth advisors and RIAs advising business clients

Platform being adopted by independent-minded advisors who see insurance as a core pillar of their business.

SPONSORED Compliance in real time: Technology's expanding role in RIA oversight

RIAs face rising regulatory pressure in 2025. Forward-looking firms are responding with embedded technology, not more paperwork.

SPONSORED Advisory firms confront crossroads amid historic wealth transfer

As inheritances are set to reshape client portfolios and next-gen heirs demand digital-first experiences, firms are retooling their wealth tech stacks and succession models in real time.