It’s 2024 and the United States of America has never had a female President.
The discussion around Kamala Harris’s qualifications and readiness are being questioned and debated in ways that never would be happening if a male Vice President took over Biden’s campaign. It’s infuriating and sad.
- According to Fortune.com, the number of Fortune 500 companies run by women CEO’s is a disgraceful 10.4%.
- Only 25% of senators are women.
- Less than 2% of women-owned business generate more than $1 million annually (compared with 9% of all businesses). Nearly 90% of women-owned businesses generate less than $100,000 annually… or ever.
The list of disappointing statistics goes on and on.
Nonprofits Are Not Doing Much Better
Our sector is dominated by women. The good news is that 62% of nonprofit leaders are women. However, that statistic drops precipitously at nonprofits with budgets over $50 million. And nonprofit boards of all sizes are more likely to be led by men.
For more information, see Cathleen Clerkin’s article on Harvard Business Review »
We’ve got to do better.
3 Things You Can Do to Help
So what can you do to help even the playing field as a nonprofit leader?
1. Promote women staff and board members.
Actively work to promote and hold up women staff and board members at your organization. Recommend women for promotions and fight for women to serve in leadership positions.
2. Hire women vendors and contractors.
When considering which consultants to hire, find out if the firm you are considering is woman owned and operated. Tried and true often means an old boys network. If you can’t find a women-owned vendor to consider the next time you’re looking to hire, ask yourself why and keep looking.
3. Vote.
Not because the candidate is a woman, but because you’re a woman. Or because you have a sister, mother, daughter, or a wife. Voting is one of the few ways we can make a real difference through our democracy.
Make a Difference
Women in positions of leadership and power matter. You can make a difference with your voice, with your wallet, and with your vote.
Additionly, when you’re considering a capital campaign, definitely take a look at Capital Campaign Pro. We are 100% women-owned and operated, and breaking barriers every day!
Please give examples of women-owned business that “serve” the nonprofit sector? This is not a definition that I am familiar with.
A publisher of books for hospital personnel?
A food service company that supplies local colleges?
A clothing manufacturing company that makes uniforms for high school athletic teams?
Is this what you mean?
I co-founded and ran a $2M+ nonprofit with 22 employees that I built from a $5K loan. It started as a regular business but was only sustainable as a nonprofit. But I never considered myself a “business owner” once I transitioned to Executive Director.
Hi Pamela – Thanks for your question. I was thinking more along the lines of consulting companies (grant writers, prospect researchers, strategic planners, nonprofit board experts, nonprofit headhunters, etc.) and what I do… capital campaign consulting. I would also include vendors who make donor CRM’s or wealth screening, etc. And yes, I’m not including nonprofits, but for-profit businesses serving nonprofits (all their clients/customers) are nonprofits. Thanks for asking.