Deep listening will grow women’s support

In Kathleen Loehr’s six principles of successful women’s philanthropy, she points to leaders at Furman University for their progress toward principle No. 2 – women’s input is key to success. Loehr advances the idea that organizations that proactively solicit then listen to women’s input find that women will share alternative strategies that can accelerate fundraising.

On her website, “Gender Matters in Philanthropy,” Loehr lists three ways Furman is creating a generative atmosphere and building on the energy and ideas of their women stakeholders. Furman President Elizabeth Davis, Principle Gifts Officer Patricia Carswell ’82, and former Furman Trustee Minor Shaw are praised for their willingness to “listen deeply” to the university’s women constituents.