Tocqueville Society

The United Way Tocqueville Society was formed in March 1984 to deepen individual understanding of, commitment to, and support of United Way’s work: advancing the common good by creating opportunities for a better life for all. The Tocqueville Society recognizes local philanthropic leaders and volunteer champions around the world who have devoted time, talent, and funds to create long-lasting changes by tackling our communities’ most serious issues. 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 more than 250 local community and business leaders who join more than 26,000 members throughout the United States as key leaders making a difference in their local communities.

Membership and Benefits

• 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 Worldwide's national Tocqueville Society directory

Member Recognition
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 Fund, which is dedicated to improving lives and strengthening OUR community.

In addition to the benefits of Tocqueville Society membership, Orange Impact Society members receive:

• Distinguished recognition in the Orange County United Way Tocqueville Society annual recognition book
• Special recognition at the Tocqueville Society Annual Dinner

CALIFORNIA GOLD/NATIONAL SOCIETY
United Way’s California Gold/National Society members make annual gifts of $100,000 or more and receive all the benefits of the Tocqueville Society. In addition, California Gold/National Society members 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 Worldwide's national Tocqueville Society directory
• Invitation to the exclusive  United Way Worldwide 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 four to five years or have given outright gifts of $1,000,000. In addition to receiving all of the benefits of a Tocqueville Society member and California Gold/National Society membership, Million Dollar Roundtable members also 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 Worldwide's national Tocqueville Society directory
• Invitation to the exclusive United Way Worldwide 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 Château in France, visits to unique United Way projects in Asia, and organized visits to national events with fellow Million Dollar Roundtable members.

READY TO JOIN OR RENEW YOUR PLEDGE?
Here are tools and forms to assist you as you consider your gift.
Tocqueville Society Brochure
Tocqueville Society Pledge Form
Donor Letter of Securities Transfer
Tocqueville Society Donor-Advised Fund Designation/Grant Request Form
Tocqueville Society Donor-Advised Fund Guidelines
Tocqueville Cabinet Roster

Quarterly Newsletter
Spring 2013

For more information, or to join Orange County United Way’s Tocqueville Society, please contact Carla Vargas at 949.263.6144 or carlav@unitedwayoc.org.

If you’re a member of the Tocqueville Society, we invite you to join us on LinkedIn.

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