What does “philanthropy” mean?

Broken down to its Latin roots, this word literally means “love of humankind.” Any way in which you show some love for your fellow human is an act of philanthropy -- in other words, each one of us is a philanthropist in some way! If you give your time, your talent, or your treasure in any form, you are a philanthropist.

At NCGives, we talk about two different kinds of philanthropy. “Philanthropy OF community” is made up of the giving that comes from within your community -- the time, talent, and treasure that is exchanged among neighbors, friends, and even strangers.

“Philanthropy FOR community” is what most people first think of when they hear the word philanthropy -- it’s the giving that comes from outside your community members, usually from foundations or the government. Most often, this type of philanthropy is money only (not time or talent). Another way to describe this is “conventional philanthropy.”

Both types of philanthropy are important to a thriving community. In fact, we believe they work best when they work together, complementing each other for the benefit of all.


Okay, but I’m not rich -- why are you calling me a philanthropist?

ALL of us have the power to give, regardless of age, skin color, gender, geography, or income level. And if you’re a giver, you’re a true philanthropist, simple as that! It’s why NCGives has the tagline we do: Because every giver matters, and every gift counts.

Want to see some North Carolina stories of “everyday philanthropists,” just like you? Head over to http://ncgives.org/documentaries and order your own DVD of North Carolina Giving: Philanthropy Across Cultures & Communities. (It’s free of charge, plus $5 to cover shipping & handling.)


I want to volunteer/give back to my community, but have no clue where to start -- what should I do??

What do you care about? Kids? Pets? The environment? The arts? North Carolina is home to thousands of nonprofits and informal causes that need volunteers, as well as monetary and in-kind donations. Try checking out the N.C. Center for Nonprofits’ list of members (which you can filter by county or type), find one that resonates with you, and contact them to see how you might help.

Another angle is to contact your nearest volunteer center. Don’t have one? Browse through VolunteerMatch.com for specific opportunities. Or, if you’ve got professional skills and just want to “do good” regardless of location, consider joining a virtual volunteer service.


How can I get more people to donate more money to my cause/nonprofit?

Answer A) If you’re in need of some Fundraising 101 or beyond, the internet is chock full of excellent and affordable resources. To start off, check out blogs by North Carolina’s own go-to gals Gail Perry and Kivi Leroux Miller, plus Network for Good’s Learning Center.

Answer B) Remember what I said earlier about philanthropy OF community, and “every giver matters/every gift counts?” That’s not just fluffy wordplay. There’s a good chance your nonprofit could better leverage the giving that already exists in your community, from monetary and in-kind donations to time and talent. (Yes, time and talent have quantifiable, practical value!) To begin learning how to truly make the most of your community’s own resources, visit http://ncgives.org/poc-pathways.