68 Inspirational Quotes About Giving for Nonprofit Leaders

In the world of nonprofit leadership, where the spirit of giving and generosity thrives, inspiration often comes in the form of words. Quotes about giving have the power to uplift, motivate, and remind us of the profound impact our actions can have on others. 

Top 5 Picks for best quote about giving:

• “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
  — Winston Churchill

• “What you seek is seeking you. Give, and the universe gives back in ways you cannot imagine.”
  — Rumi

• “I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.”
  — Maya Angelou

• “The simplest acts of kindness are by far more powerful than a thousand heads bowing in prayer.”
  — Mahatma Gandhi 

• “You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.”
  — John Bunyan 

Giving is more than an act, it's a transformative journey that uplifts both the giver and the receiver, weaving a tapestry of connection, compassion, and change. The wisdom captured in inspirational quotes about giving resonates deeply and can often effect self reflection and inspire us to embrace generosity as the cornerstone of a meaningful life. This is clearly demonstrated in nonprofit leadership, the people that takes these words of wisdom to heart and act on them to make the world a better place for all of us. 

From timeless sayings like "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give" to profound reflections such as, "When you give yourself, you receive more than you give, for you are multiplied by your giving," by Rumi, these words remind us that giving can bring both the giver and the receiver joy while strengthening bonds and sparking a ripple effect of positivity. 

In this article, we explore a curated collection of 68 inspiring quotes that celebrate the beauty of generosity, encouraging you to reflect on the power of giving and its ability to shape a brighter, more connected world where we all work to life each other rather than knock each other down.

What Are Inspirational Quotes About Giving?

These quotes about giving are pearls of wisdom are often penned by thinkers, philanthropists, and leaders throughout history, and are gift as old as time. They serve as powerful reminders of the impact of giving in the nonprofit sector and beyond.  They serve as reminders of the profound power of giving and inspire nonprofit leaders to continue their missions of creating positive change.

1. “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
   — Mahatma Gandhi
2. “No one has ever become poor by giving.”
   — Anne Frank
3. “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
   — Winston Churchill
4. “To give away money is an easy matter and in any man's power. But to decide to whom to give it, and how large, and when, and for what purpose and how, is neither in every man's power nor an easy matter.”
   — Aristotle
5. “We can do no great things, only small things with great love.”
   — Mother Teresa
6. “Happiness doesn’t result from what we get, but from what we give.”
   — Ben Carson
7. “Only by giving are you able to receive more than you already have.”
   — Jim Rohn
8. “Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.”
   — William James

These quotes should do more than just make you remember that being generous is more than just giving, if you let them sit down into your soul, they should resonate with something deep within. A truth that we are all connected, and our ‘humanness’ is connected. That in the end, what we do onto others, we are really doing unto ourselves. 

Powerful Quotes About Generosity in Life

Generosity lies at the heart of nonprofit work. And these quotes are powerful reminders of just how strong the transformative nature of giving is, and how generosity isn’t simply something you do to make yourself or others feel good for a few moments, it’s literally a way of life. They should encourage nonprofit leaders like you to open your hearts and inspire others to do the same. 

9. “Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need.”
   — Khalil Gibran
10. “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.”
    — Pablo Picasso
11. “Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”
    — Mark Twain
12. “You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.”
    — Kahlil Gibran
13. “The simplest acts of kindness are by far more powerful than a thousand heads bowing in prayer.”
    — Mahatma Gandhi
14. “Real generosity toward the future lies in giving all to the present.”
    — Albert Camus
15. “Generosity is the most natural outward expression of an inner attitude of compassion and loving-kindness.”
    — Dalai Lama
16. “You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.”
    — Ralph Waldo Emerson

The privilege of giving is about creating a better world through selfless acts. And in return creating a more connected and beautiful life for yourself and all of those around you. It only takes one person to spread some joy and kindness to spark others to do the same. We hope these quotes are a start of something much bigger than just some words on a page. 

Gracious Quotes About Charity and Giving

Charity and generosity are at the heart of nonprofit leadership. We believe this quote best sums this up: "It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving." — Mother Teresa. Many people do give to charities across the globe, but many only feel good for a few moments. It’s up to you to make their generosity more sustainable. And by adding one of these quotes that resonate with you in a thank-you or other correspondence can help your donors better understand their impact at a more deeply felt emotional level. 

17. “Charity sees the need, not the cause.”
    — German Proverb
18. “The best way to do ourselves good is to be doing good to others; the best way to gather is to scatter.”
    — Thomas Brooks
19. “It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.”
    — Mother Teresa
20. “We rise by lifting others.”
    — Robert Ingersoll
21. “To do more for the world than the world does for you—that is success.”
    — Henry Ford
22. “Giving is not an obligation; it's a privilege.”
    — Caroline B. Cooney
23. “In giving, you join the ranks of those who change the world, one selfless act at a time.”
    — Steve Maraboli
24. “Charity begins at home, but should not end there.”
    — Thomas Fuller
25. “A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal.”
    — Steve Maraboli
26. “He who has never denied himself for the sake of giving, has but glanced at the joy of charity.”
    — Anne Swetchine

These quotes underscore the profound impact of charity and generosity on both the giver and the receiver. They remind nonprofit leaders that their work not only transforms the lives of those they serve, but also enriches their own lives with purpose and fulfillment creating a ripple effect with no boundaries. 

Quotes on Giving Back to the Community

Community is the key to interconnections whether it is a local community or a community of like minded individuals loosely held together through a group chat or forum. Community teaches use how much we want to connect with others, how we are all at our core social beings looking for meaningful relationships. Giving to your community with no regards to getting something in return is true charity. And our quotes tell the same story. 

27. “Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.”
    — Marcel Proust
28. “Gratitude is the memory of the heart.”
    — Jean-Baptiste Massieu
29. “We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.”
    — Cynthia Ozick
30. “Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”
    — Melody Beattie
31. “The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.”
    — Oscar Wilde
32. “Community is much more than belonging to something; it’s about doing something together that makes belonging matter.”
    — Brian Solis
33. “Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.”
    — Elizabeth Andrew

These quotes serve as a reminder that gratitude is one of the most important aspects of human nature, and that it isn’t all about giving and giving, it’s about the journey to create positive change and being grateful for the work people do and the changes expressed in the world. They encourage leaders to appreciate the contributions of their team, donors, and volunteers and to express their thanks openly and sincerely.

Gratitude and Giving Back Quotes

These quotes emphasize the importance of gratitude in nonprofit leadership and life as a whole. You'll be reminded of the importance of cultivating gratitude and expressing it authentically to inspire your donors, team and volunteers to continue supporting your mission. After all, expressing gratitude openly and sincerely becomes not just a practice but a way of life for those dedicated to making a positive impact. 

34. “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues but the parent of all others.”
    — Marcus Tullius Cicero
35. “Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously.”
    — Ralph Waldo Emerson
36. “Gratitude is when memory is stored in the heart and not in the mind.”
    — Lionel Hampton
37. “In ordinary life, we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give, and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich.”
    — Dietrich Bonhoeffer
38. “Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul.”
    — Henry Ward Beecher
39. “Silent gratitude isn’t much use to anyone.”
    — Gertrude Stein
40. “Gratitude turns what we have into enough.”
    — Aesop
41. “Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.”
    — Voltaire

By embracing gratitude, nonprofit leaders can create an environment where kindness and generosity thrive which further amplifies their impact and creates a perpetual motion of change.

The Lasting Impact of Giving Quotes

The impact of giving is the cornerstone of effective nonprofit leadership. These carefully selected quotes illuminate the lasting influence of philanthropic endeavors and motivating nonprofit leaders and others to pursue their missions with unwavering dedication.

42. “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”
    — Ralph Waldo Emerson
43. “I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.”
    — Maya Angelou
44. “Giving is not just about making a donation. It is about making a difference.”
    — Kathy Calvin
45. “You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.”
    — Zig Ziglar
46. “The greatest use of a life is to spend it on something that will outlast it.”
    — William James
47. “The measure of life is not its duration, but its donation.”
    — Peter Marshall
48. “Wealth is not to feed our egos, but to feed the hungry and to help people help themselves.”
    — Andrew Carnegie
49. “Success isn’t about how much money you make; it’s about the difference you make in people’s lives.”
    — Michelle Obama
50. “The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example.”
    — Benjamin Disraeli
51. “Every charitable act is a stepping stone toward heaven.”
    — Henry Ward Beecher

These quotes underscore the profound and lasting effects of inspiring nonprofit leaders to see their work as a legacy of positive change. All change creates ripple effects that can touch the lives of countless people. So it’s important to make sure the changes you inspire in the world are worthy and have a positive effect. This is all you will leave behind when all is said and done. 

Inspiring Quotes on the Future of Giving in Nonprofits

The future of charitable giving in all forms holds endless possibilities. These quotes provide insight into the evolving landscape of philanthropy and how it will develop over time. They’ll challenge leaders to rethink their strategies and welcome innovation and adjust to the evolving needs of their communities.

52. “The future depends on what you do today.”
    — Mahatma Gandhi
53. “The philanthropy of the future will be entrepreneurial and highly leveraged. It will focus on those leverage points where a small investment can achieve big results.”
    — Bill Drayton
54. “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
    — Eleanor Roosevelt
55. “In the future, we will not only give to causes we care about; we will also invest in solutions to the world's most pressing problems.”
    — Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen
56. “The future of giving will be shaped by technology, transparency, and the desire for impact.”
    — Alexis Bonnell
57. “Philanthropy is not about money... it’s about using whatever resources you have at your fingertips and applying them to improving the world.”
    — Melinda Gates
58. “As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others.”
    — Bill Gates

As Lydia Sweatt wisely noted, "Giving isn't just about making a donation; it's about making a real difference." Even the smallest acts of generosity can spark profound change, making these quotes a vital source of motivation for your nonprofit journey.

More Inspirational Quotes to Fuel Nonprofit Leadership

We’ve decided to expand on our list to give everyone a greater chance of getting lost and inspired by words. Words can easily lead to action and these quotes all contain powerful messages that should help to inspire anyone. Whether you’re a leader of a nonprofit or just someone looking to be inspired, these additional quotes will help you see the world in a more charitable light. 

59. “The value of a man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving.”
    — Albert Einstein
60. “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.”
    — Muhammad Ali
61. “The greatest gift you can give someone is your time, because when you give your time, you are giving a portion of your life that you will never get back.”
    — Rick Warren
62. “Giving does not only precede receiving; it is the reason for it.”
    — Napoleon Hill
63. “The heart that gives, gathers.”
    — Marianne Moore
64. “True generosity is an offering; given freely and out of pure love. No strings attached.”
    — Suze Orman
65. “When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.”
    — Maya Angelou
66. “The most truly generous persons are those who give silently without hope of praise or reward.”
    — Carol Ryrie Brink
67. “You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.”
    — John Bunyan
68. “The act of giving is the art of living.”
    — Tony Robbins

We hope the variety of these inspirational quotes appeals to as large of an audience as possible. The world can use some inspiration right now. So look through everything we’ve presented and see what resonates deeply with you. Then use the message to improve the world for yourself, your family and friends and for the world as a whole. 

1. Wrapping Up

Whether you’re involved in nonprofit leadership or just someone looking for some great insperational quotes, these are the best there are. We’ve included quotes about giving, charity, gratitude, impact, and the future to serve as personal inspiration. 

Reflect on Betsy Davidson’s insight: "To give is to receive, and to receive is to give." Embrace this cycle of generosity, sharing kindness to uplift your community. These quotes are more than words, they are a call to action for leaders and changemakers. Use them to inspire your team and supporters and amplify your mission’s reach. And to enhance your fundraising efforts even more, consider PayBee’s user friendly platform. Learn how PayBee can streamline donations and events to support your mission at PayBee.