Sometimes, all it takes is a few simple words to spark something powerful. Whether you’re trying to motivate your team, thank a donor, or inspire your community, the right quote can make a big difference.
Giving isn’t just about money, it’s about heart, kindness, and connection. And when words capture that spirit, they help us keep going, especially on the hard days.
We’ve gathered some of our favorite sayings about giving, ones that remind us why we do this work and why it matters. You can use them in your emails, fundraising campaigns, social posts, or even just to lift your own spirits. Think of this as a little toolkit for those moments when you need a boost.
Timeless sayings for giving that still move us today
Some quotes stick with you forever. They don’t need fancy words or long explanations, they just hit home. These timeless sayings remind us why giving matters, no matter how the world changes.
“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
This one reminds us that joy often comes from helping others. Being useful, showing up, giving what you can, that’s where meaning really lives.
“It is in giving that we receive.” – Francis of Assisi
Simple, but true. The more we give, the more we grow. That feeling you get when you help someone? That’s the real reward.
“Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.” – Booker T. Washington
If you’ve ever helped someone and walked away with a smile on your face, you know exactly what he means. Giving feels good because it does good.
“Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.” – Albert Einstein
Even one small act of kindness can make a big difference. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about being present and generous when it counts.
These quotes don’t just sound good, they feel true. Keep them close when you’re writing a campaign, prepping for a board meeting, or just trying to remember why you started in the first place.
Find yourself by losing yourself in the service of others
Sometimes the best way to figure out who you are… is to show up for someone else.
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” – Mahatma Gandhi
This quote hits home for so many people in the nonprofit world. When you’re deep in the work, packing meals, writing thank-you notes, or planning your next event, you’re not just helping others. You’re learning about your own strength, your values, your purpose.
“Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
You don’t need a fancy title or a big bank account to make an impact. If you care, if you’re willing to help, then you’re already making the world better. Greatness isn’t out of reach, it’s already in you.
These quotes are powerful reminders: You don’t have to have it all figured out. Just keep showing up. In serving others, you often discover the best parts of yourself.
Wealth isn’t always measured in dollar signs
Giving isn’t just about writing a big check. Some of the richest people in spirit are the ones who give their time, love, or even just a kind word when it’s needed most.
“Wealth isn’t always measured in dollar signs.”
This line says it all. Sometimes the most valuable things we give, our time, our energy, our care, can’t be counted in dollars.
“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” – Mother Teresa
You don’t have to change the whole world. Even small acts, done with love, can change someone’s world.
“No one has ever become poor by giving.” – Anne Frank
It might feel like we’re stretched thin, but giving, big or small, fills us up. It reminds us that what we have is already enough to help someone else.
And here’s the best part: Giving doesn’t have to cost a thing. Listen. Show up. Share a moment. That’s generosity, too.
Joy out of giving joy
There’s a kind of happiness that only shows up when you make someone else smile. That’s the joy of giving, and it’s one of the best feelings in the world.
“I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.” – Maya Angelou
Maya had a way of saying things that just click. When you give from the heart, you don’t just help someone else, you free yourself from holding back.
Giving isn’t about what you lose. It’s about what you share. And when you share joy, it comes back around, usually when you least expect it.
Think about that feeling when a donor smiles after hearing their impact. Or when a thank-you note makes someone tear up. That’s the good stuff. That’s the joy out of giving joy.
A small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world
Big change doesn’t always start with big crowds. It often starts with just a few people who care deeply and act boldly.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead
You’ve probably felt this firsthand. A handful of volunteers show up week after week. A small board pushes through tough decisions. A couple of donors carry a campaign on their backs. That’s how movements grow, quietly at first, then all at once.
“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.” – Muhammad Ali
This quote reminds us that we’re all part of something bigger. Giving back isn’t extra, it’s part of being human.
Don’t underestimate what a small, dedicated team can do. You’re proof that passion, consistency, and community can move mountains.
Every act of kindness lightens the burden
Kindness doesn’t just feel good, it makes life easier for someone else. Even the smallest act can lift a heavy load.
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”
This one’s a classic. And it’s true every time. A smile, a check-in call, a warm meal, these moments stick with people more than we know.
“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” – Often attributed to Plato
We don’t always see the weight people are carrying. But when we lead with kindness, we help carry it, even for a moment.
“Kindness is a language the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” – Mark Twain
Kindness cuts through everything. It’s universal. And it reminds people they’re not alone.
For teams working with donors, volunteers, or community members, this is everything. When we lead with kindness, we build trust, and lighten the load for everyone.
Sayings that remind us giving is a duty and a privilege
Giving isn’t just something we can do, it’s something we get to do. It’s not a chore. It’s a chance to make things better.
“Man’s obligation is to put back into the world at least the equivalent of what he takes out of it.”
This quote is a solid reminder that we’re all part of something bigger. If we’ve been given something, time, resources, skills, it’s on us to give some of it back.
“We owe it to the rest…”
Even if the full quote isn’t always shared, the message rings loud and clear: if we’re in a position to help, we have a responsibility to do so.
“Giving should be seen not as a duty but as a privilege.”
That shift in mindset changes everything. When you see giving as an opportunity, not a burden, it opens your heart. And that’s where real generosity starts.
These quotes hit differently when you’ve worked in service, when you’ve seen what even a little support can do. They don’t guilt you into giving. They invite you into something bigger.
Quotes from powerful voices like Maya Angelou and Mother Teresa
Some people just have a way with words, and their words stay with us long after we hear them. These voices have shaped how we think about giving, compassion, and purpose.
Maya Angelou: Voice of compassion and truth
“I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.”
Maya didn’t just talk about kindness, she lived it. Her words remind us that giving doesn’t shrink us, it expands us. Every time we give, we grow a little more.
Mother Teresa: The giver of small things with great love
“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”
She showed us that even the smallest actions can carry the biggest love. If you’ve ever felt like your part doesn’t matter, this quote says otherwise.
Booker T. Washington: Legacy of impact through service
“Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.”
This quote speaks directly to nonprofit teams, volunteers, and donors. Joy doesn’t come from keeping, it comes from giving, helping, serving.
These voices aren’t just famous, they’re real. They’ve walked the talk. And their words continue to guide the rest of us who are trying to do good in a busy world.
How to use these giving quotes in your campaigns
Great quotes aren’t just nice to read, they can be powerful tools in your fundraising and outreach. A few well-placed words can stir emotion, build trust, and inspire action.
Here are a few smart, simple ways to put these quotes to work:
- Website banners or landing pages
Start your donation page with a quote that speaks to your mission. It sets the tone and connects emotionally right away. - Fundraising emails
Use a quote at the top or in the P.S. to make your message stick. It adds a human touch that makes people feel something. - Social media posts
Pair a quote with a photo or design to stop the scroll. These are perfect for giving days, holidays, or when you just want to inspire your followers. - Thank-you pages and receipts
Adding a quote after someone donates shows you care. It’s a little extra that leaves a big impression. - Printed materials
Think postcards, brochures, or signage at events. A short, powerful quote can make your message more memorable.
And the best part? With Harness, you can weave meaningful, personalized messages into every part of your donor experience, without extra work. From automation to storytelling, we make it easy to turn words into action.
Care enough to act
In the end, giving isn’t about having the most, it’s about doing the most with what you have. It’s about showing up with kindness, love, and purpose. The quotes in this article remind us that generosity isn’t reserved for the wealthy or powerful. It belongs to everyone who cares enough to act.
So whether you’re leading a nonprofit, managing a campaign, or just trying to make someone’s day a little better, remember this: your words, and your actions, have the power to inspire change.
Looking for a way to turn inspiration into real-world impact? Harness gives you the tools to grow generosity, strengthen donor relationships, and raise more, without burning out your team.
