How Women and Men Approach Impact Investing

This report documented a widespread demand for knowledge about impact

investing. Women and men are equally likely to impact invest, but impact investors tend to be younger, more educated, and have higher incomes; gender differences appear with deeper examination into these sub-groups. People who replace their charitable giving with impact investing tend to be younger, more educated, and have higher incomes; men seem to drive this replacement, whether as single males or as sole deciders in married couples. 

This report also provides insight into how women can move from wanting to learn about impact investing, to understanding the practice, to the action of making impact investments. Research shows that women typically feel the need to understand investment decisions fully and feel comfortable with them before proceeding. Organizations such as The Philanthropic Initiative are calling on the field to increase knowledge about impact investing, in particular by inspiring and engaging women. These efforts will require the provision of data and resources to help women become more comfortable with making impact investments.

This report adds to the growing evidence that impact investing is here to stay; people are increasing their knowledge and use of impact investing and the importance it plays in their financial and charitable portfolios.