The great range of giving practices has been enlightened by numerous researchers from all academic disciplines, but few of them have been interested in the evolution of these practices through the lifespan and at will of identity building. Drawing on experiences of a group of French persons who are participating in an ethnographical study, this research shows evidence on the relationships between identity, considered as a static as well as a dynamic, and gift and charity giving. The results show that individuals "use" intimate gift giving and charitable giving to build or rebuild themselves when facing life events. This conclusion has significant implications for charities and NGOs whose managerial practices are nowadays questioned and often disparaged.
