Tocqueville Society

The prestigious Tocqueville Society is a national, philanthropic society honoring individuals who annually give $10,000 or more to United Way. Tocqueville Society members are individuals who understand the need to lead by example in their communities and their organizations.

Alexis de Tocqueville, a young French aristocrat, toured the United States applauding the voluntary spirit of American society.  His observations formed the 1835 work "Democracy in America", a detailed study of American society, culture and politics.  Perhaps his most important observation was that Americans helped one another in times of need. 

"I must say that I have seen Americans make great and real sacrifices to the public welfare; and I have noticed a hundred instances in which they hardly ever failed to lend faithful support to one another."

There are nearly 23,000 members nationwide and from 425 communities. Their contributions total more than $456 million.

Locally, Tocqueville Society members' gifts totaled more than $5.7 million in 2008.