Women love reunions. Data has shown that it is part of women’s DNA to want to connect and form community. Research also reveals that women tend to be more philanthropic.

Data points* on the power of women’s philanthropy include:

• Women are more altruistic than men
• Women are the CFOs in 87 percent of households
• Women are the primary breadwinners in 40 percent of families
• Women participate in 94 percent of all charitable decisions in a family

You would think the strong desire of women to come together combined with their predilection  to give would make  an alumnae reunion a hit.  So, what’s the concern? Unfortunately, the suggestion of a women-focused event can be met with  hesitancy by the male alumni, who may feel excluded or alienated.

However, in my experience, having a women-focused event can do quite the opposite.

How do I know?  A school that retained Reunions Reinvented to generate momentum for its reunion had planned a women-only event during Reunion Weekend to celebrate influential  alumnae and female administrators and faculty. Interestingly, some men that I was working with on the reunion committees expressed disappointment that they were not invited to  this event.  At my urging, the school opened registration to the event to all alumni, a wise move. The women enjoyed having their male classmates there, and the men who wanted to be there were included.

If you plan to host an alumnae event, consider having it on a weekend other than your Alumni Reunion Weekend, or consider inviting men to the event if held during Reunion Weekend.

* If you are interested in reading more about the power of women in philanthropy, here are links to relevant articles:

• Women’s Philanthropy, By the Numbers
• Women’s Philanthropy: 12 Key Insights
• The Women’s Philanthropy Institute at Indiana University

Would you like our  thoughts on events to plan to drive attendance to your next reunion?  Give Margie at Reunions Reinvented a call. We are here to help!