March is Women’s History Month, which is a fitting time to reflect on the many ways women shape our communities. At Lincoln Community Foundation (LCF), we have the privilege of working with women across generations who are thoughtfully deciding how to use their time, talents and resources to make a difference in the lives of others.
Sometimes that looks like a retired executive supporting community foundation initiatives with gifts from an IRA. Other times, it’s a business leader building a culture of generosity within her workplace. And often, it’s a young adult learning about community impact through a family donor advised fund (DAF) established by parents or grandparents.
These stories are different, but they share something powerful in common: women are increasingly at the center of philanthropic decision–making.
You might think of well–known philanthropists like MacKenzie Scott and Melinda Gates when considering women’s influence in philanthropy. But in reality, the story is much broader – and often much closer to home.
Take Jean Jeffrey, one of Lincoln’s very own philanthropists. Jean built her career as a CPA at a time when very few women were in the field. In fact, when she walked into her first business class at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, the lecture hall was filled almost entirely with men.
Throughout her career, she often found herself the only woman at the table – whether in professional settings or serving on nonprofit boards. Those experiences helped shape her perspective and ultimately her philanthropy.
After opening her own accounting firm and raising two daughters in Lincoln, Jean devoted time to community service and later deepened her giving through the Lincoln Community Foundation.
Today, Jean continues to support the community through her DAF and through gifts from her IRA.
As she puts it, “I’ve always believed in giving back to the community because I felt pretty fortunate. I know what it’s like for women to face challenges and discrimination. I’m grateful to be in a position to help.”
Jean’s story is a wonderful example of how women’s generosity evolves across a lifetime – from volunteering and community leadership to thoughtful philanthropic planning.
When women step more fully into philanthropic leadership, intentional planning can help ensure that their generosity has lasting impact.
We often partner with donors and families in the following key ways:
Creating a family philanthropy vehicle
Like Jean, you can use a DAF as a flexible structure for collaborative giving. Many women choose to involve children or grandchildren as co–advisors, turning grantmaking into an opportunity to share values and learn together about community needs. These funds can be established with tax–efficient assets – such as appreciated stock or other complex assets – helping maximize both impact and stewardship.
Focusing on a cause for the long term
For donors who feel called to support a particular issue – education, healthcare, the arts, emergency assistance or another area of personal significance – a field of interest fund can provide both focus and flexibility.
For donors age 70 ½ or older, Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) to certain types of funds at LCF (excluding DAFs) from an IRA may offer an efficient way to support charitable priorities during life. Furthermore, naming a DAF as an IRA beneficiary can extend that support well beyond your lifetime.
Strengthening a favorite organization
Some women dedicate years of service to a specific nonprofit. In these cases, strategic planning can ensure that commitment endures. Grants can address immediate needs such as staffing or infrastructure, while a designated fund (an eligible recipient of a QCD) can provide dependable annual support forever.
What inspires me most is seeing how women’s philanthropy is shaping our community in profound ways and how with thoughtful planning our influence extends well beyond our lifetimes.
At Lincoln Community Foundation, it is truly our honor to support that journey – ensuring generosity for generations.
We’re here for women. We’re here for families. And we’re here for our community.
