Giving Tuesday Toolkit
Civility Localized Shares Inspiration For Giving Tuesday 2025
Giving Tuesday, a global movement dedicated to charitable giving, falls on December 2, 2025.
Here at Civility Localized, we believe in the power of giving. This year, we’re dedicating our Giving Tuesday Toolkit to our late colleague, the indelible John Ernest Holmes III. Last November, John contributed his recommendations for charitable giving in Charlotte, North Carolina, by recommending two organizations close to his heart. This year, we want to remind our readers about those two organizations and add to the list by asking local college students where they would direct giving.
We know our readers are both community-minded and generous.
We hope you’ll consider joining us in remembering our friend, John, listening to young folks here in Charlotte, and supporting these worthy causes.
Remembering John E. Holmes III
Photo by Kayla Young / WFAE / La Noticia
A 2023 community meeting, organized by Charlotte Urbanists, gathered at Manolo's Bakery in East Charlotte to discuss how policy was impacting immigrant-owned businesses.
Where to Give, according to the late John Holmes (in his own words, as told to our team on November 13, 2024):
Carolina Migrant Network, run by the excellent Stefania Arteaga. This nonprofit focuses on building and sustaining services for people targeted by the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration (DHS) by providing pro-bono legal representation and organizing with communities to disrupt the deportation pipeline/system.
Strong Towns, run by Charles Marohn. This nonprofit focuses on challenging the current dynamic of post-war North American development pattern while also giving citizens the knowledge and tools to start making their communities better today.
Note: John said he “absolutely loved this organization”, and he even co-founded one of the local chapters in Charlotte, NC. He believed in their work, calling it '“phenomenal”, and said they were serious about changing how communities could build better versions of themselves.
Thanks for sharing your wisdom and heart with us, John.
We miss your passion for people and the warmth you added to the world every day.
Giving Tuesday Recommendations From A Local College Campus
It’s no secret that North Carolina is home to some of the country’s best colleges and universities.
At Civility Localized, we think these campuses host some of the most promising minds of the future. We deeply value the contributions and opinions of the students in our midst. That’s why we asked our GardHouse Intern, Krupa Jacob, to interview UNCC classmates for input on where they would like to see charitable donations directed this December.
Here’s what we learned!
Name a charitable organization that's important to you
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Name a charitable organization that's important to you 〰️
University of North Carolina Student, Class of 2026
Areas of Study: Political Science, Women’s & Gender Studies, Legal Studies
“Brave Step is really important to me. It’s a nonprofit that serves survivors of sexual violence. Working there made me even more passionate about advocating for survivors.”
University of North Carolina Student, Class of 2027
Area of Study: Marketing
“The American Red Cross. They provide critical disaster relief, blood donations, and emergency response efforts. I’ve donated blood regularly and volunteered at local blood drives to help with donor registration.”
University of North Carolina Student, Class of 2028
Area of Study: Criminal Justice
“Habitat for Humanity, I appreciate their commitment to providing affordable housing to families in need. Seeing people who struggled with this growing up is one of the reasons I got involved. I’ve volunteered with Habitat for Humanity on build days, which is when we get to help construct homes for families in my community.”
University of North Carolina Student, Class of 2027
Area of Study: Human Resource Management & MIS
“Brown Bag Ministry and Dorcas Ministries. Both of these organizations are significant to me because I have had the opportunity to be involved with them throughout my youth. Brown Bag Ministry is a charitable meal distribution organization that allowed me to directly help disadvantaged communities in my area. Dorcas Ministries is a large organization that includes an affordable thrift store, crisis financial and food assistance, and more. Throughout high school, I had the opportunity to volunteer in the thrift shop in my hometown of Cary, North Carolina.”
Giving And Gratitude Go Hand In Hand
The commitment these students show to community service and generosity reflects the very essence of the Giving Tuesday holiday.
Whether through donations, volunteer work, or sharing the cause with others, their contributions are transforming communities.
As we recognize this global day of generosity, let’s reflect on their stories and allow them to inspire us to find ways to give back and support causes that make a lasting impact.
