The Power is Hers: Why Girls’ Schools are Poised to Thrive Philanthropically 

  • Published October 14, 2025
  • / By Ann Badger and Alan Watkinson

This is a moment of possibility for girls’ schools.  

Something remarkable is happening in girls’ schools across Australia and New Zealand. After decades of watching many boys’ schools succeed philanthropically, these institutions are discovering they possess far more philanthropic power than they ever imagined. What began as a question “can we fundraise?” is evolving into a confident movement declaring “it’s her turn.”  

This mission of girls’ schools—to educate and empower the next generation of women leaders—has never been more urgent. And the opportunity has never been greater. 

Women are rising as a force in philanthropy. Their giving is increasingly visible, significant, and aligned with impact, not recognition. They give to change lives, shape futures, and leave legacies. And girls’ schools are perfectly positioned to inspire that kind of giving. 

So, the next time you quietly ask yourself, “can we really fundraise?” Rest assured that the answer is yes. Yes, girls’ schools can succeed in philanthropy. Yes, small wins can grow into big victories. And yes, you can build confidence, momentum, and a culture of giving that sustains your future. 

Women’s Wealth is Growing—and their Philanthropy is Intentional 

  • Women are set to inherit 65 per cent of the $4.9 trillion that will be handed down in Australia’s largest intergenerational wealth transfer over the next 10 years.1 
  • Women now hold one-third of the world’s wealth.2 
  • High-net-worth women are significantly more likely than men to have a strategy for giving (78.4% vs. 71.9%).3 

Yes, You Can

One of the biggest barriers for girls’ schools isn’t financial. It’s psychological. Leaders and development professionals often believe, “fundraising won’t work here.” They may point to small offices, limited alumnae data, modest resources, and assume that success is out of reach.  

But here’s the good news: fundraising success doesn’t start with big teams or million-dollar budgets. It starts with one step. 

You have an advantage: close-knit communities, authentic relationships, and nimbleness. You can start small—a reunion, a parent gathering, a storytelling initiative. Each success builds confidence and creates a stronger case for investment in the next step. Over time, these incremental victories grow into a culture of philanthropy that sustains itself. 

Success is about charting your own journey. And yes, you can do it.  

The Power of Women’s Philanthropy

Philanthropy is no longer defined by one model. Women donors are more visible than ever—leading giving circles, making transformational bequests, and shaping strategy. Unlike the “give and forget” model of the past, women seek trust, involvement, and long-term impact. They want to weave themselves into the life of an institution. For girls’ schools, this creates a natural alignment: your mission is their mission. 

The message is clear: philanthropy by women, for women, can be the engine that propels girls’ schools forward. 

Leadership and Confidence: The Catalyst 

Every successful fundraising journey shares a common thread: strong leadership. For girls’ schools, that can mean giving heads of school the confidence, support, and scaffolding they need to lead with assurance. 

Too often, women feel pressure to know everything there is to know about a particular topic—and when they don’t, they experience imposter syndrome. Female heads and development professionals are discovering that asking for help is a strategic advantage that creates exponentially better results. 

Mentorship, peer networks, and small early wins can grow confidence and drive results. Start by connecting your leadership team with success stories from schools that have traveled this path before. Arrange visits to successful girls’ schools. Create mentoring relationships with heads who have navigated similar challenges. But most importantly, provide your leadership with bite-sized, inspiring stories that build confidence over time.  

One leader we worked with shared that she had only had half an hour of fundraising training in her entire career. With mentorship and guidance, she grew her confidence and has become a vocal advocate for philanthropy after experiencing early success.  

The lesson? Confidence is contagious. When leaders believe, communities rally. 

Building Momentum, One Win at a Time 

Girls’ schools don’t need to leap from zero to a $50M campaign. In fact, small wins build the strongest foundations: 

  • Hosting an alumni or parent gathering to spark connection. 
  • Equipping the head or board with inspiring stories of philanthropy. 
  • Highlighting champions from within the community who advocate for the school. 

One New Zealand girls’ school launched its first campaign in 1998 and, through steady, incremental progress, built a culture of philanthropy that sustained multiple projects over decades. Success breeds success—and it begins with the first step. 

Schools Leading the Way 

St. Catherine’s School
Started at “ground zero” with little infrastructure, but through mentoring and leadership support, grew its confidence. Its first major campaign this century—Her Future Begins Here—not only raised funds but reshaped how the community viewed philanthropy. 

Lauriston Girls’ School 
Embraced bold, positive messaging in its campaign It’s Her Turn. The language itself became a rallying cry, galvanising alumnae, parents, and community members around a vision of possibility.

Activate Your Community Advantage

Women don’t just network, they net-weave, creating lasting, interconnected relationships that provide the foundation for sustained giving. This is your secret weapon. 

Your alumnae, current parents, and board members are natural storytellers who can share what your school means to them throughout the community. This doesn’t replace professional staff, but it extends reach and builds trust. And most schools already have potential champions on their boards—individuals who bring experience with other philanthropic organisations and can serve as early advocates. You’re not starting from zero. 

Storytelling: Philanthropy is in Your DNA 

The most transformative realisation for girls’ schools has been this: you already have a philanthropic foundation. Many schools were founded by visionary women who invested their resources, courage, and conviction in educating girls. Others were sustained by faith-based communities or local champions who gave land, buildings, or resources so that girls could have the education they deserved.

Girls’ schools already have philanthropy in their DNA — they were founded on it.  

These stories are not history, they are a part of your identity. Campaigns like It’s Her Turn or Her Future Begins Here remind communities that giving is not an add-on; it’s a continuation of the legacy that built the school in the first place.  

A Successful Formula

The most successful girls’ school fundraising shares three traits: 

  • Strategic Patience: Take the long view. A consistent vision can create extraordinary results. Each successful step you take builds confidence for the next one. 
  • Positive Positioning: Celebrate what’s possible. Grow the philanthropic pie rather than competing for existing pieces. 
  • Engaged Partnership: Recognise that today’s donors, especially women, want involvement not just transactions.  

Your Next Step: Join the Movement

The path ahead for girls’ schools isn’t happening in isolation. Schools across the region are discovering their potential, sharing strategies, and celebrating each other’s wins. Your first step doesn’t need to be epic. Choose one small action for the next six months and see it through.  

The point isn’t to do everything at once. It is to start building momentum, one relationship and one success at a time. It’s her turn. It’s your time. And with confidence, strategy, and the courage to begin—fundraising success will follow. 

Have questions about fundraising in girls’ schools and want to discuss further? Please reach out to asiapacific@martsandlundy.com.

Footnotes

[1] JBWere, March 2024. The growth of Women and Wealth. A closer look at Australia’s growing cohort of high-net-worth female investors.
[2] Women’s Philanthropy Institute, Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
[3] Women’s Philanthropy Institute, Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy