Women are increasingly important players in American philanthropy—as leaders of charities and decision makers in their families' giving strategies.
Now, a newly endowed chair at the Indiana University School of Philanthropy will focus research on women's role in giving, volunteering and leadership of philanthropic organizations.
The university announced last week that the school had received an endowment gift from Houston philanthropists Maureen and Jim Hackett to establish the Eileen Lamb O'Gara Chair in Women's Philanthropy.
Maureen Hackett currently leads the school's board of visitors. The endowed chair is named after her mother, described in a statement as an entrepreneurial businesswoman who helped and cared for others.
The endowed chair is the first of its kind in the country, according to the statement. Its holder will conduct research on women's philanthropy and on gender differences in philanthropy, translate research into improvements in philanthropic practices and develop academic courses in the School of Philanthropy.
