In honor of Women’s History Month, the we are proud to recognize the contributions of women in the local nonprofit sector. Women make up the majority of nonprofit professionals, and in our region, they are leading organizations and driving impact at higher rates than the national average. However, disparities persist at the highest levels of leadership, echoing national trends.
During Big Day of Giving 2024, two-thirds of the top 50 fundraising organizations were led by women, underscoring the strength of female leadership in the sector. Across El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, and Yolo counties, nearly 70% of top nonprofit leadership roles are held by women, which is 13% higher than the national average, according to data from GivingEdge — our platform that powers Big Day of Giving. However, while women lead many nonprofits in the region, their representation declines at the largest, most resourced organizations — dropping to 54%.
“Data shows that even in fields dominated by women, like the nonprofit sector, men often rise to leadership roles faster,” said Kerry Wood, our chief executive. “Since nearly 70% of nonprofit employees are women, it’s powerful to see so many leading organizations in our region, but there’s still work to do to ensure they are supported at the highest levels.”
At the Sacramento Region Community Foundation, supporting women leaders is part of a broader commitment to strengthening the nonprofit sector. Through programs like Big Day of Giving and Cultivate, the Foundation not only invests in nonprofit success today but also builds a pipeline of future leaders, ensuring more women have opportunities to rise to the highest levels of leadership.
We invite donors and community members to support local nonprofits and invest in the future of the sector. Mark your calendars for Big Day of Giving on Thursday, May 1, and visit www.bigdayofgiving.org to contribute. Together, we can celebrate and champion women leaders who are shaping a stronger, more vibrant Sacramento region.
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