United Way of Central Alabama’s (UWCA) Tocqueville Society is nationally recognized for the support and dedication of its nearly 1,000 members. The society, founded in 1986, is designed to deepen understanding, commitment and support of United Way through charitable giving and volunteer leadership opportunities. It also recognizes local philanthropic leaders and volunteer champions who have devoted time, talent and funds to create long-lasting change by tracking our community’s most serious issues.
Investing $10,000 or more, members of the Tocqueville Society are philanthropic leaders in our community. In 2025 alone, cumulative giving for the society reached $15.7 million, accounting for approximately 40% of funds raised in UWCA’s Annual Campaign. Recently, leaders from United Ways across the country gathered in Birmingham to hear from Tocqueville Society staff and volunteer leadership on the local philanthropic community that they have nurtured and cultivated in Central Alabama.
Volunteer-Led Fundraising
A unique feature of the Tocqueville Society is its philosophy of volunteer-led fundraising. Tocqueville members step up year after year to lead this fundraising effort as Tocqueville Society chairs and cabinet members, attending meetings and making assigned calls to recruit and retain members. Former chair Jay Brandrup first learned about United Way when his daughter with special needs received life-changing critical therapies through United Way partner agencies.
When he eventually joined the Tocqueville Society, he had the opportunity to help recruit more than 120 new members. Jay reflected on this process, saying, “It was so incredibly rewarding knowing that every new member I recruited would make a huge difference in our community.” Jay encourages potential members to reflect on causes that are close to their heart, because UWCA’s stewardship and oversight ensure that each dollar is allocated where it is needed most. There are ways to get involved in this process as well – UWCA’s Visiting Allocation Team helps make thoughtful and informed strategic funding decisions, shaping programs that touch thousands of lives.
Kirk and Tate Forrester Build Community Through Service
2026 Tocqueville Society Co-Chairs Kirk and Tate Forrester started out doing just that. In addition to serving on the Visiting Allocation Team, the Forresters have served in several other volunteer roles at UWCA and joined the Tocqueville Society in 2015. Though both grew up in families involved in civic engagement, they reflected on the way that the collective spirit of serving the community can be both positive and contagious.
“When you are able to bring in volunteers from the community, you give them a sense of ownership,” said Kirk. “It becomes a ‘we’ project instead of a ‘me’ project.”
A Lasting Effect on the Community
Both the Forresters and Brandrups enjoy opportunities for the whole family to get involved, whether it’s packing lunches at the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama or driving a delivery route for Meals on Wheels.
“The civic muscle memory of engagement, volunteerism and philanthropy has to be renewed generation after generation in an intentional way,” said Kirk. “We have to educate [younger people] about the importance of giving and what you get back when you do.”
The family views its involvement as a seed planted for the future of their community.
“This is an investment for our children,” said Kirk. “We want them to live in a community that is thriving. Thriving communities have strong United Ways and services that build them up.” In addition to the many partner agencies that UWCA supports, it also touches the community through direct services that address the need for financial stability, senior support, crisis intervention, homelessness prevention and more.
Tate reflected on a sense of civic responsibility and community need, saying, “It’s our time to step up as civic leaders and carry the torch for the community we live in.”
As volunteers, Tocqueville Society members work together with UWCA staff to support critical organizational functions. Each volunteer is given a job description with a clear outline of the role, timeline and expectations for a safe and efficient volunteer experience. To potential Tocqueville Society volunteers, Kirk said that getting involved can be both incredibly powerful and simple.
“Birmingham has such a robust core of volunteers and United Way makes it easy,” she said. “They make sure you have everything you need to be successful.”
To learn more about joining the Tocqueville Society, click here.