Fidelity® Charitable Gift Fund Study Finds Women Playing a Prominent Role in Shaping Future of Philanthropy

Pioneering Givers
The Gift Fund found that only 4 percent of its survey participants are "pioneering givers." They are the most likely to contribute to organizations that are lesser known or to support new causes. They give away the most money as a percentage of their income. They use credit cards and securities for donations more than any other group. They are more likely to be influenced by a philanthropist in the news and the most likely to want guidance from a financial advisor regarding charitable giving. Their total donations in 2008 averaged $7,347.

The Methodology
Data for the Gift Fund's survey was collected online January 28 to February 4, 2009 by the independent market research firms Chrysalis Research of Kirkland, Wash., and Research Data Technology of Woburn, Mass. The results are based on responses from a national sample of 1,003 adults at least 25 years old. The respondents were evenly divided among men and women. Half donated at least $1,000 or more in 2007, the other half donated $5,000 or more the same year.