By Bruce DeBoskey, The DeBoskey Group, for The Denver Post |

With record levels of giving, new approaches to marshaling philanthropic assets for impact, and better approaches to philanthropic strategy, 2015 was a great year for philanthropy. This trend will continue in 2016.

Increasingly, leaders in businesses, foundations and families understand that philanthropy is more than the merely transactional act of writing checks to favorite nonprofits. Today, philanthropy is seen as a strategic investment that is transformational for both society and the donor.

In the coming year, expect to see: The increasing impact of women

Women continue to demonstrate innovation and leadership in the field of philanthropy — and with big impact. Women now control more than half of the private wealth in the United States.

Looking forward, women are expected to inherit 70 percent of the $41 trillion in inter-generational wealth transfer that will take place over the next 40 years. By 2025, women will comprise 60 percent of U.S. billionaires.