Want to know how you can play a part in strengthening North Carolina's giving story? Here are two ways...

1) Share your story.

What does giving mean to you personally? Maybe a friend — or even a stranger — helped you out in a time of need. Perhaps a family member inspired you to give back to your community. Maybe you enjoy volunteering with your church or school. What's your story? Check out the sidebar on the right for all the ways you can share it!

2) Spread the word.

We all participate in giving in unique ways. At NCGives, we believe that's a truth worth talking about. The more we as individuals and communities lift up inclusive philanthropy (every kind of giver + every kind of gift), the more North Carolina will grow into a full culture of giving... and that means a healthier, stronger state.

So just what is philanthropy, or giving, anyway?

The breakdown of the word philanthropy means "love of humankind." To see what that looks like practiced in real life, consider "The 3 T's" of giving:

Giving is time.

Have you ever helped your neighbors clean up their yard, or volunteered at a rescue mission? Have you spent time mentoring a child, or gone to cheer up a friend at a hospital? The ways that we North Carolinians give our time are as varied and diverse as we are as people.

And the hours add up! Did you know it was recorded that in one year alone, North Carolinians gave more than 200 million hours in service to others? To put that number into perspective, it’s been estimated that those hours of "unpaid work" were worth more than $3.5 billion. Keep up the good work, North Carolina!

Giving is talent.

Maybe you acted in a benefit showing of a local play, or taught a cooking class at a community center. Maybe you're good with technology, and you showed an elderly neighbor how to set up a computer. North Carolina is full of givers with all kinds of talents that they're putting to use while giving to others... the possibilities are truly endless.

Giving is treasure.

Most of the time, when we hear “donating,” we think of money – and North Carolinians are generous with money, from giving to charities, to tithing at religious institutions, to starting up funds at foundations and giving circles.

But North Carolinians also know how to be creative when it comes to giving treasure, and know that in addition to money, we can donate just about anything that can be of use to someone else. Canned goods for a food pantry, seeds or equipment for a community garden, lumber for a neighborhood playground… perhaps you had musical instruments in your attic that you donated to a school. Every gift counts!

Giving in a nutshell:

WHO is a giver?

Everyone.

WHAT is giving?

Believing your time, talent and treasure can be valuable to anyone.