According to the National Philanthropic Trust, the largest source of charitable giving in 2015 came from individuals at $268.28 billion, or 71 percent of total giving; followed by foundations ($57.19 billion/16 percent), bequests ($28.72 billion/9 percent), and corporations ($18.46 billion/5 percent).

In other words, it’s you, Jane and John Q. Public — you who punch time cards, work in the Mom and Pops, manage our local stores — that not only make America work, but (dare we say it?) truly make America great. You are a thread in America’s community safety net. That you are willing to dig deep to have your neighbor’s back says a lot about our country.

The miracle of community giving – many hands making a collective impact — will take place here on May 2 with Kitsap Great Give, a 24-hour period of online giving that is part of a nationwide day of local philanthropy.

Through Kitsap Great Give, residents and businesses collectively donate more than $1 million to local nonprofits that care for and find homes for animals, fund arts and cultural programs, meet basic needs in our communities, improve our communities, support education, work to protect the environment, and provide health care, human services and youth development programs.

Kitsap Great Give is organized by the Kitsap Community Foundation and the United Way of Kitsap County. Those organizations collect no fees; each tax-deductible donation goes directly to the nonprofit or nonprofits of the donor’s choice (more than 200 local non-profits are registered). And for each donation made on May 2 on kitsapgreatgive.org, an additional donation is made by a local sponsor.

Chances are good you benefit from some of the organizations on the Kitsap Great Give list. Whether you give five bucks or five hundred, your contribution will make a big difference. And you’ll be part of something great. See our story in Kitsap Weekly and our Kitsap Great Give special section.