Overheard - Quotes we love

  • “ You cannot have significance in this life if it's all about you...You find your joy in life through service and sacrifice. ”

    Paul Tudor Jones, billionaire founder of Robin Hood Foundation on recent  "60 Minutes" interview

  • “ Jim Narron has the ability to relate to anybody and everybody…He’s our own Will Rogers. (Founder Lewis Holding) would certainly be proud of what’s taking place (at NCCF)…you’ve moved his legacy forward. ”

    Jim Black, NCCF board member, paying tribute to outgoing Chair James Narron at March meeting

  • “ I was fortunate to get a scholarship when I went to Lehigh University and Princeton.... Somebody was kind enough to spend their money to educate people that they would never get to know. That’s what I think philanthropy is about. ”

    Lee Iacocca quote that Sue LeLievre, NCCF western regional associate, used on scholarship event program

  • “ Always give without remembering.  Always receive without forgetting. ”

    A quote Dr. Nido Qubein likes to borrow and delivered at New Hanover County Community Foundation's 25th anniversary celebration

  • “ Philanthropy is the community pitching in. ”

    Bob Mauldin, former statewide board member and former president of the Futrell-Mauldin Community Foundation for Greater Rocky Mount, from interview for NCCF history project.

  • “ Nikki is a candle in the mirror that shines a light on others...She recognized a need and the positive impact the theatre can have on young people and made it happen. ”

    Quote in News & Observer by John Hobart, founder of the Frances Finch Hobart Award for community service, given annually by the Johnston County Community Foundation. The award was established to honor his wife Frances. Nikki Dyke is the volunteer director of the Clayton Youth Theatre. Read more about award and Nikki here.

  • “ Laundry is the only thing that should be separated by color. ”

    Quote posted at the Freedom School in Rocky Mount, spotted by Kelly Lee, NCCF regional associate, Coastal Plain North, while there to read to the kids.

  • “ It was with great excitement that I opened a letter telling me I have been awarded your generous scholarship...Your gift is making my dream of college a reality...Thank you for believing in me. Your encouragement means as much as the scholarship help. ”

    Celeste Sciabarasi's thank-you note upon learning she is this year's recipient of the James and Violet Carson Scholarship

  • “ OUTRight Youth is so pleased to have received the generous grant from the Unifour Foundation in support of our Bullying Prevention Symposium. When I told the youth...they cheered to hear the news! ”

    Mary Ann Dore, executive director, OUTRight Youth of Catawba Valley, upon receiving a $3,000 grant

  • “ As corporate citizens, we value and appreciate your work in our community. It takes many dedicated people working together to provide programs and services to meet a wide variety of community needs. We all celebrate your work. ”

    Mark J. Gould, CFO.
    Mast General Stores, Inc.

  • “ I'm sending my warmest congratulations and admiration for your accomplishments, and regret I am unable to join you today for the celebration of your 15th anniversary! It has truly been an honor for me to serve as the chairman of NCCF, largely because of the significant work that affiliate partners like the Granville County Community Foundation are doing in communities across North Carolina. Your leadership, generosity and vision have had a huge impact on Granville County.  Congratulations, and I look forward to the next 15 years! ”

    Greetings from James W. Narron, NCCF board chair, read on his behalf at Granville's 15th anniversary celebration

  • “ The NCCF staff is so helpful and friendly. What’s great is that, unlike in some other funding situations, there’s a clear distinction between staff members and “deciders,” which erases the dynamic of being concerned about asking questions or fearing that friendly attentiveness is an effort to curry favor.  Plus y’all are just very helpful, friendly, supportive people! ”

    Susan Sherard, Executive Director of Moore County Literacy Council, Southern Pines, after grant seekers workshop

  • “ You can’t be everywhere around the state, but you can be involved in something like the NC Community Foundation and help to make a difference. ”

    Trent Ragland, as told at the NCCF quarterly board meeting about why he is involved with the NCCF’s board of directors

  • “ Each of us has time, talents and resources that can help be the change for someone who has been homeless, to be afforded the opportunity and the dignity to live in a safe and peaceful home. ”

    Jackie Craig, Co-founder, The Green Chair Project, as quoted in a letter to the editor of the News & Observer, March 21 edition, regarding the plight of the homeless

  • “ He put the State of North Carolina above everything else ... He always brought us all together for the sake of the state. ”

    David Hoyle, NC Secretary of Revenue, in recorded tribute to former Dare County Senator Marc Basnight, who was honored with a special recognition at the NC Chamber's 70th annual meeting

  • “ It was really mind-blowing that a group of kids could get a sum of money and decide who to give it to, that we could actually make changes in our community. ”

    Sarah Marshall, senior at KIPP Gaston College Prep School, Northampton County, on youth philanthropy efforts; reprinted from NC Rural Center's Rural Routes

  • “ This year’s Emerging Issues Forum offered a sense of optimism and excitement for the future. With Gen Z at the helm, our state is going to be in good – if not connected – hands! Kudos to all speakers, judges, high school contestants and most of all to Governor Hunt, the staff and board of the Institute! ”

    Jennifer Tolle Whiteside, NCCF CEO & President

  • “ My feeling is that we’re all here for each other. I take very seriously this business of treating your neighbor as yourself. ”

    Mary Duke Biddle Trent Semans
    1920-2012

  • “ This scholarship means a great deal to me because graduate school is such a financial burden. I am very thankful for this assistance because I carry all the burden on my own. It is tough to balance a heavy school load and work at the same time. ”

    Marcus D. Stanaland, 2011-2012 recipient of Henderson D. Mabe Jr. Scholarship award, attending Campbell University to study pharmacy, clinicial research and business.

  • “ I don't think there is a more deserving recipient of that kind of recognition than Bob Mauldin, who is sort of the poster boy of good citizenship in terms of supporting all kinds of good things and trying to generate a culture of philanthropy in our community. ”

    Sam Johnson, president of the Futrell-Mauldin Community Foundation of Greater Rocky Mount, as quoted in the Rocky Mount Telegram in cover story about Mr. Mauldin’s recognition as the 2011 Lewis R. Holding award recipient from NCCF

  • “ Aspire to inspire before you expire! ”

    — Ok, not overheard, but spotted on a Brunswick County church sign on Highway 17 by Patricia Lawler, NCCF's southeastern regional associate.

  • “ Thirty, 50, 100, 200 years from now this foundation will still be here. It will outlive everyone in this room. ”

    – Eric Dent, Robeson County Community Foundation past president as quoted in The Robesonian