A Non-Profit Sector Perspective: Women Step Up When the Numbers Drop Down

Contributed by Kristen Kentner

Last week was a banner week: Wall Street had its worst week in history (so now your 401K may not be worth the postage to send the statement to you) and the #1 movie in America was Beverly Hills Chihuahua. Yes, it does seem like the world is ending.

But I’m here to tell you it’s not. Everyday within the walls of American business there is still giving going on -giving by the women who statistically are the first to be let go when the company stock drops.

You might not be able to recognize it from the front page of the financial newspaper or the hypnotic stock scroll but, if you go to the office cubes, beige-colored corridors and water cooler corners, it’s still there. Women are diggin’ deep and giving time, energy and money when it really counts. Deana McDermott, CPA, from Huron Consulting Group said of why she continues to step up for charities during these difficult financial times, “The ability to help others should not be predicated on financial success but rather on the drive to build a strong and prosperous community.”

That strong community of which Deana speaks is what is going to save the million plus charities all over the country that do everything from feed the homeless, treat the sick, maintain cultural awareness and stand up when no one else will fight. “If we all stopped giving and volunteering in moments of change we would lose the true spirit and core of philanthropy. We give to make the world a better place and that is regardless of the scale and scope – the point is that we continue giving,” said Kristin Dortz of Arrow Electronics, Inc.

There are some basic truths about women, as outlined in the book The She Spot by Lisa Witter and Lisa Chen, which talks about why women should be looked to as agents of change. First, women not only control a large amount of wealth in the country, they also GIVE. Second, women volunteer. Kyla Henricksen, an Associate at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP, contributed to that point saying, “The possibility that my contribution of time can give others new opportunities or avert setbacks is a powerful motivator.” Third, women vote. Four, women pay it forward. And finally, five, women are behind major social movements.

I would like to add a sixth point to the authors’ outline – women don’t give up. Women give to an organization in time or money because of the relationship they have with the organization. They don’t abandon when times get lean, they get smart. Principal of The Dean Consulting Group, Diane D. Dean said, “I plan to continue giving even though my finances are leaner. In large part, it is due to the relationships established with these charities. I will not increase the amounts this year, however no charity will be eliminated or experience a decreased gift.”

After being bailed out by JPMorgan Chase, a Washington Mutual branch in New York displayed a large sign that read “We Love Chase. And not just because they have a trillion dollars.” Well, the non-profit community loves women and not just because they control a large part of the money in America. The non-profit community loves women because in plush or lean times it is women’s willingness to support each other and their personal and professional communities that make a difference.

Kristen Kentner is the Manager of Special Events and Corporate Relations for the YWCA-NYC and a first time contributor to The Glass Hammer.