United Way’s Tocqueville Society began in 1985 as a national movement to celebrate and recognize philanthropic community and business leaders giving to those in need in partnership with their local United Way. Since its inception, United Way’s Tocqueville Society has been the pre-eminent philanthropic association of individuals desiring to give back at significant levels of $10,000 or more annually.

The Society takes its name from the French philosopher and aristocrat Alexis de Tocqueville, who expressed his admiration of the uniquely American tradition of “neighbor helping neighbor” in his classic treatise Democracy in America.

Founded in Orange County in 1987 by local philanthropic leaders including Peter Ochs and Walter Gerken, Orange County United Way’s Tocqueville Society has since grown to a membership of over 300 Orange County community and business leaders who join over 26,000 members throughout the United States as key leaders making a difference in their local communities.

Click here to see the 2009/2010 Tocqueville Society brochure and member listing, and here for a calendar of upcoming events.  Interested in seeing photos from recent events? 

Upcoming Events!

Check out photos from our December 10 Holiday Reception Photos at David Yurman

Check out photos from our November 22 Thanksgiving Family Volunteer Project Photos!

Volunteer as a grant reviewer for the 2011-2013 Community Impact grant process!

TOCQUEVILLE SOCIETY

MEMBERSHIP AND BENEFITS

All individuals or couples giving $10,000 or more with the greater of 10% or $2,500 of their total gift invested in Orange County United Way’s Community Impact work are recognized as members of the Tocqueville Society.

Tocqueville Society membership benefits include:

Invitations to three unique Tocqueville Society receptions in members’ homes and the exclusive Tocqueville Society Annual Dinner

Invitations to volunteer projects for Tocqueville Society members and their families

Tocqueville Society e-newsletter

Special Tocqueville Society lapel pin

The choice to affiliate with one of our existing donor circles within the Tocqueville Society — The Women’s Philanthropy Fund, Bench & Bar or Real Estate Community Builders and enjoy additional activities and recognition planned for those groups

Invitations and preferred seating at all Orange County United Way events, all special industry events supporting United Way, and launches of United Way social reports in Orange County

Listing in Orange County United Way’s Tocqueville Society annual recognition book along with other prominent Orange County leaders. 

Inclusion in United Way of America’s national Tocqueville Society directory

ORANGE IMPACT SOCIETY

United Way’s Orange Impact Society recognizes its founding members who, as of 2007, gave $20,000 or more annually and continue to do so, and Tocqueville Society members investing $10,000 or more annually in Orange County United Way’s Community Impact work to build self-sufficient lives. In addition to the benefits of Tocqueville Society membership, Orange Impact Society members will receive:

·   Distinguished recognition in the Orange County United Way Tocqueville Society annual recognition book

·   Invitations to intimate gatherings and hands on volunteer opportunities for Orange Impact Society members only

·   Special recognition at the Tocqueville Society Annual Dinner

CALIFORNIA GOLD/NATIONAL SOCIETY

United Way’s California Gold/National Society make annual gifts of $100,000 or more and at this level receive all the benefits of the Tocqueville Society. In addition, California Gold/National Society members will enjoy:

·   Distinguished recognition in Orange County United Way’s Tocqueville Society annual recognition book

·   The opportunity to include a photo and brief biographical sketch in United Way of America’s national Tocqueville
Society directory

·   Invitation to the exclusive United Way of America National Tocqueville Leaders’ Weekend with fellow members throughout the country

MILLION DOLLAR ROUNDTABLE

Members of United Way’s Million Dollar Roundtable have either made a pledge of $1,000,000 or more over 4–5 years, or outright gifts of $1,000,000. In addition to receiving all the benefits of the Tocqueville Society and California Gold/National Society membership, Million Dollar Roundtable members will enjoy:

·   Distinguished recognition in Orange County United Way’s Tocqueville Society annual recognition book

·   The opportunity to include a photo and extended biographical sketch in United Way of America’s national Tocqueville Society directory

·   Invitation to the exclusive United Way of America National Tocqueville Leaders’ Weekend with fellow members throughout the country

·   Invitations to additional exclusive national and international events with fellow Million Dollar Roundtable members throughout the country. Prior events have included visits to the Tocqueville Chateau in France, visits to unique United Way projects in Asia, and organized visits to national events with fellow Million Dollar Roundtable members

You may also learn more about the company you keep nationally as a Tocqueville Society member by visiting the national Tocqueville Society web site.

We invite you to LIVE UNITED as we join together and provide basic needs services for families in crisis today, while supporting long-term programs focused on education and financial stability that move people toward self-sufficiency tomorrow. Please consider becoming a leader, or increasing your involvement, as a member of our Society over this next year. 

Ready to join?  The Tocqueville Society Pledge Form can be downloaded  here.  And if you have an interest in donating stock or securities, click here for a Donor Letter of Securities Transfer form.  Thank you!