Dear Reader,

As we close out Women’s History Month this month, we find ourselves at a remarkable vantage point as many of our clients are women-led philanthropic efforts. In our work at Grant Philanthropic Advisors, we have the privilege of sitting with families as they define their legacy and consider their "why." For decades, the narrative of women in philanthropy often focused on the "supporting role" - the silent steward or the tireless volunteer. We are now witnessing a shift in this paradigm.

With the Great Wealth Transfer underway, women are no longer just participating in the philanthropic system; they are redesigning its very blueprint. They are moving beyond responsive patterns of giving toward a more intentional, systems-oriented approach and they’re shifting governance structures as well.

We call this the era of The New Architect. While the headlines often focus on the "mega-gifts" of the last few years, the real story is deeper. There are thousands of women philanthropists blazing their own trails with their impact, and their work offers a masterclass in strategic philanthropic investments that create lasting change.

What We're Up To

Members of our team, Darcy Addison and Olivia Zale, will be attending the Women’s Philanthropy Symposium in Chicago, hosted by the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, from March 31–April 1. This year’s symposium spotlights women leading in the field around the theme: “Be Bold. Be Brave. Be the Bridge.” We’re looking forward to being surrounded by bridge-builders and contributing to the conversation.

If you’re attending, please send Darcy and/or Olivia a note - we'd love to connect!

GPA is hosting Lunch & Learns on "How to Effectively Engage the Next Gen in Multi-Generational Family Philanthropy," led by our Next Gen Advisor, Olivia R. Zale.

These sessions are designed as curated, intentional spaces - creating room for honest dialogue and practical insight around engaging the rising gen with clarity and purpose.

Please share our upcoming sessions with your families and colleagues:

• April 7: For foundation leaders & staff | Register here
• May 19: For philanthropists | Express interest here

Client Spotlight | The Broad Reach Foundation

GPA facilitated multiple sessions for Seattle-based Broad Reach Foundation at the Gibbes Museum of Art in Charleston, SC at their staff retreat. Topics focused on "how to facilitate an effective meeting" and "navigating challenging dynamics and building consensus," reflecting the intentionality that lives within the Foundation's work. A Foundation staff member shared the following as part of a toast on the last night:

"At the museum we gathered with Rodin in sight,

To ponder how meetings might truly go right.

Like Priya Parker advised us to do,

Make space for good questions and meaning will come through."

Thank you Broad Reach, for letting GPA be part of your journey.

What's Inspiring Us

Women's Growing Impact

Women and Philanthropy: A Literature Review - Women's Philanthropy Institute (40 minute read)

WPI has built an impressive body of research around women and philanthropy. Bringing together evidence on women's giving and volunteering, and examining how social, political and economic forces have shaped these patterns, it gives a comprehensive view of modern women's philanthropy. It's refreshing to see how far women have come in this space and to recognize the exciting possibilities ahead. GPA is proud to be a women-led firm! 

Rebalancing Ecosystems

Philanthropy Doesn’t Need Bigger Institutions, It Needs Keystone Actors - Forbes (10 minute read)

In 1995, wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone after a 70-year absence, triggering a trophic cascade: by changing deer behavior, they set off a chain reaction that restored vegetation, wildlife, and riverbanks. There’s a parallel for philanthropy: social systems rarely change through control alone. Lasting impact comes when the right relationships, local actors, and capacities are supported. As large funders pull back, locally rooted networks are stepping in to build resilience. Like wolves in Yellowstone, philanthropy has an opportunity to restore balance through intentional investment in people, networks, and institutions.

Philanthropic Trends

Beyond the Mega-Gift - Stanford Social Innovation Review (20 minute read)

This analysis of philanthropic trends challenges the way we interpret “growth” in the sector. While overall giving continues to reach new highs, participation is quietly declining. Especially compelling is the broader implication: widespread participation in giving has long served as a form of civic engagement. As that participation narrows, so too may the diversity of ideas, lived experiences, and community voices shaping solutions. For organizations committed to long-term impact, rebuilding that broad base is both a development goal and strategic imperative.

Check out the latest on GPA's blog:

• You Belong at This Table
• On the Precipice: Managing Growth
• The Architects of Change: The Future of Women-Led Philanthropy

Clearly, the GPA team loves to learn and facilitate learning for others. Team retreats, panel discussions, lunch and learns, and conferences - no matter that format, we are here to celebrate and uplift the field of philanthropy as it evolves.

Gratefully,

Kaky + The GPA Team