"There are more women now earning more income so they are more inclined to contribute philanthropically to an institution they support," she said.

Although Carty said increased yields are probably due "in large part" to increased fundraising efforts, she also said she believed "people do give to Radcliffe out of a desire to ensure that women's voices are heard."

Clendenning agreed with Carty's assessment of the College's mission.

"We are leveraging the role that Radcliffe has to be a constant catalyst for convening people to look at areas where women's voices can, and should, be heard," she said.

The differences between Radcliffe and Harvard's programs mean that there is a "clear choice to be made" between the two colleges for potential donors, Clendenning said.

"Harvard is now making efforts, as [Director of the University Development Office Susan K.] Feagin has said, to address the fact that Harvard's traditional methods have been more attractive to men than to women donors," she said.

"It's fair to say that Harvard is looking to demonstrate that it is responsive to women students and alums so that women will feel comfortable giving to it if they weren't before," Clendenning said.

"Women give for different reasons than men. We're very aware of that," she said.

--Nicole Clarke contributed to the reporting of this story