There was once a point when women couldn't own property; now, women hold a growing proportion of the global wealth. What's even more interesting is that the different approach they bring to their investments impacts the broader (and still male-dominated) financial industry through impact investing.

The term “impact investing” as a whole is relatively new, first coined in 2007 by the Rockefeller Foundation, but the practice has developed rapidly over the last decade. Impact investing combines the goals of financial investments and philanthropic capital: investors still desire a financial return on their investment while also seeking to improve society or the environment in some way with those same investments.

Impact investing is still widely considered a "niche" within the investing world. Still, it's on the rise—to the tune of over $2.3 trillion in global capital - a number growing year after year primarily due to the influence of women and millennial investors.

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Growing Control of Wealth

Women—or at least some women, since levels of wealth vary by geography—are richer now than ever before, and that wealth continues to grow. Globally, we’re starting to see a massive transfer of wealth to women and millennials.

Regarding wealth in the U.S., women now control more than $10 trillion worth of U.S. household financial assets. Plus, the expectation is that beneficiaries of 70% of the $41 trillion to be inherited over the next two generations in what could be the largest intergenerational transfer of wealth the world has ever seen. That means women are expected to hold roughly two-thirds of the private wealth in the U.S. by 2030.

And, considering women are statistically better investors than men, outperforming their male counterparts in generating a return on their investments, their proportion of wealth could increase even more.

Aligning Investments with Values

It’s not just that women control a significant portion of wealth in the U.S.—they are directing their resources to align with their values. In a study of affluent women, 95% ranked "helping others," and 90% rated "environmental responsibility" as important. In fact, when it comes to defining a legacy, women far more often say societal causes have become more important than wealth accumulation, with 62% of women agreeing, compared with 53% of men.

In terms of how that translates to money and investing, Morgan Stanley found that 84% of women say they are interested in impact and sustainability investing, versus 67% of men. Another report echoes these sentiments, citing that two-thirds of women believe they have more opportunity to tackle societal issues through impact investing, compared to just over half of men.

However, these rates go beyond just identifying the opportunity or showing interest, following through to actual investments. Morgan Stanley also found that up to 56% of women focus at least partially on making a positive impact with their investments, compared with 45% of men.

One report indicates that women were more likely than men to say they:

• View investment decisions as a way to express values.
• Have a preference towards investing in companies with a positive social or environmental impact and avoid investing in companies with harmful effects—and review their portfolios with this in mind.
• Make investment decisions that support issues important to them.
• See impact investing as the “right thing to do as a responsible citizen and investor.”

Impact investing is experiencing significant gains in control over global wealth. Combining that with the intent and follow through to participate in impact investing means that this "niche" initiative could become more mainstream over the coming years.

Younger Generations Are Embracing the Movement

The desire to create lasting social and environmental impact with their investment decisions is even stronger with younger women. This desire is particularly true for millennial women, who are the most likely to say social and environmental causes and issues are very important and drive much of what they do, as compared to older generations (90%, versus 81% for Generation X and 80% for Baby Boomers).

When it comes to investing, most millennials and Gen Z are engaged in socially responsible investments or planning to invest this way in the future. One survey found that 95% of millennials want their investments to reflect their environment, social, and governance (ESG) values. This is another signal that impact investing will likely become even more popular as millennials and Gen Z accumulate and inherit a larger share of the global wealth.

Investing in Women

Given these statistics—where exactly are women’s impact investments going? Of the many different causes that impact investing can support, women are more likely to invest in a way that benefits women. They lead the field of gender-lens investing, which means making gifts or investments while considering how women and girls might be affected.

But their investments aren’t just supporting organizations where women are the end beneficiaries, such as with various nonprofits. They are also looking at where women play roles in an organization, investing in companies with women in leadership positions or on boards, for example.

When women give to causes that benefit women and girls, it’s often for different motivations than men; for example, because of personal experiences with bias and discrimination, understanding inequities faced by women around the world, or understanding that investing in women tends to have positive ripple effects.

Investing to Redefine a Legacy with a Social Focus

Not only do women own and control greater wealth than ever before, but they are also changing the direction of wealth management and wealth creation goals. High-net-worth and millennial women, in particular, are taking investment strategies in a new direction to align with their values, using them to create a lasting impact as part of their legacy. The studies cited thus far suggest that the more assets women accumulate, the more they direct their wealth and legacy planning themselves—and the more their individual influence will be felt.

Work with a financial advisor to create a customized investment strategy to build an investment portfolio that aligns with your values. Wealth Enhancement advisors can work with you to develop a comprehensive financial plan that incorporates how you want to invest, depending on your values and goals.

The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results.

All investing involves risk, including loss of principal. No strategy assures success or protects against loss.