Women hold the purse strings when it comes to the majority of the nation's charitable giving.

Studies find that women give more to causes, and men give more to buildings. Women get involved first and then give to a nonprofit. Some 80 percent of women's giving goes to women and girls in poverty, while less than a third of mainstream philanthropy goes to the poor. Men are more likely to take a barter approach: "You give to my favorite nonprofit, and I'll give to yours."

Modern women are more likely to give to social-justice issues. Gay Dillingham, president of the New Mexico Association of Grantmakers, says she is emotionally pulled toward the plight of many in the country, but "I have to put on my logic cap and fund the root causes. As funders, we have to do a lot of what the government should be doing."

A study by the Center for Women's Business Research found that 47 percent of women compared to 39 percent of men believe giving is a moral obligation.

Barbara Goldman finds this is true at the Santa Fe Rape Crisis and Trauma Treatment Center. "I hear more women and men say they grew up in families that valued giving to social issues." Goldman said women are more aware of the issues of sexual violence, though men want to become more proactive in ending it.

Some Santa Fe nonprofits report women and men give equally.

Kelley Barnes, director of advancement at the National Dance Institute, says the difference between gifts from men and women is minimal. Most donors to the group that supports youth dance and achievement are couples. "They approach giving as a team," Barnes said. In fact, the chair of NDI's gala this year was a man: Michael D'Alfonso. One third of the gala committee members were men, belying the theory that charity balls are best left to the ladies.

The Santa Fe Opera, which acknowledges a history of generous women in its early years, finds today's donors are couples or partnered. Shelley Winship, major gifts officer, said women are more prone to inquire about education and outreach programs and audience development plans than are men.

The executive director for St. Vincent Foundation, however, says he has seen a shift in his 30 years in fundraising to more and larger gifts from women and more women giving independently than do men. Women give, Robert Glick says, "with a combination of heart and mind, and they ask the tough questions."

Women want to have strong feelings about the organizations they are supporting and want to be hands-on, educated givers: reading in the after-school program, helping students learn to paint, volunteering at the hospital.

Giving circles are popular with women. The Galisteo Giving Circle at the Santa Fe Community Foundation seeks more impact through giving bigger gifts through pooled resources and to improve their relationship with money.

The Boston College Social Welfare Institute reports that women comprise 53 percent of the workforce and have a net worth of close to $12.3 trillion.

The generational shift that will take place over the next half century means that a majority of inheritance will fall into the hands of women, who outlive men.

Not only that, but a survey by the National Foundation for Women Business Owners surveyed 400 leading business women: more than half give at least $25,000 a year and almost a quarter give more than $100,000. And 53 percent don't consult with anyone — not their husbands, partners or financial advisors — before giving.

"I am the CEO of philanthropy in our family," said one woman who declined to be identified.

Maybe Santa Fe's nonprofits should be thinking a little more about what motivates women to give.

Billie Blair, president of the Santa Fe Community Foundation, can be reached at bblair@santafecf.org