The United Way of Central Alabama’s Tocqueville Society 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. With an investment of $10,000 or more, members of the Tocqueville Society are leaders of philanthropy in our community.

Value of your membership:

• Convenient way to make a significant impact for many health and human services in one pledge
• Opportunity to gain perspective on our community’s system of care that is proven to impact the lives of others
• Engage as a volunteer with our community leaders to work locally to provide long-term solutions to our community’s problems
• Make a personal connection with the influential group who sets the standards of charitable giving and philanthropy in our community
• Associate with a national network of donors giving sustainable and transformational gifts
• Access matching dollars available for members seeking to increase their impact
• Join other members at our annual dinner honoring the recipient of the Tocqueville Award, given to an individual or family who shows outstanding volunteer and financial service in our community
• Influence positive change and inspire a better life for everyone

Never in our lifetime have we had such a significant opportunity to support our neighbors.  Many people who historically did not need United Way’s help found themselves in different circumstances throughout these last few years. In fact, those on the brink were hit the hardest.

Helping fill the gap is part of the fabric of United Way. UWCA’s Community Crisis Fund awarded Crisis Fund grants to front-line programs to help fill the gaps where needed.  This included helping families whose income was lost or reduced along with feeding children who were in remote learning situations and providing those lost meals they would normally receive at school. We were able to provide over 3 million pounds of food to clients throughout 2021.

While some are seeing light at the end of the tunnel, the impacts of the pandemic are far from over for our community The pandemic disrupted education, financial stability and health—the building blocks of opportunity—in ways that will have long-term effects on Central Alabama. Six local colleges have formed a partnership with Birmingham City Schools to provide 100 tutors to address learning loss due to COVID-19.

Accountability. Our United Way has one of the lowest administrative costs of any charitable organization, allowing 94 cents of every dollar to go directly to helping people, while keeping every dollar we raise here in Central Alabama. UWCA’s 10,000+ volunteers constantly evaluate our partner agencies who receive annual support to be sure the money is well and wisely spent.

Giving is a personal and heartfelt decision. Our Major Gifts staff is ready to work with you and your financial advisors to explore your philanthropic goals.

• Gifts of cash, credit card or check. Staff can work with you on a personalized payment schedule.
• Payroll deduction through your company
• Donor-advised fund or private family foundation
• Individual Retirement Account (IRA). People who are age 70 and a half or older can contribute directly to United Way and avoid taxes on the distribution.

Please notify United Way of your stock transfer, so you can get proper credit for your gift. For stock transfer procedures and brokerage information, please contact the United Way of Central Alabama’s Major Gifts Department at 205.458.2038 or tocquevillesociety@uwca.org.

Membership in the Tocqueville Society is an annual gift of $10,000. Matching funds are available for donors who wish to increase their gift over multiple years. Check with your human resources to see if your employer offers matching options, which can be combined with United Way matches.

Tocqueville Society Meyer Match ($10,000)

Click here to contribute to the Tocqueville Society

Stephens Circle ($15,000)

Click here to contribute to the Stephens Circle

Daniel J. Dunne Circle ($25,000)

Click here to contribute to the Daniel J. Dunne Circle

If you give a different amount and would like to use a match, your Majors Gifts staff will be happy to work with you to develop a matching program that suits your needs. For more information, contact the Majors Gifts staff at 205.458.2038.

These matching funds are available for United Way of Central Alabama donors.

Tocqueville Society Meyer Match ($10,000)

Click here to join the Tocqueville Society using the Meyer Match

Stephens Circle ($15,000)

Click here to contribute to the Stephens Circle

Daniel J. Dunne Circle ($25,000)

Click here to contribute to the Daniel J. Dunne Circle

Your gift to United Way means you support your community. You can trust that your gift will be invested efficiently and effectively to create opportunities for a better life for all. More than 600 local volunteers annually review partner agencies and together decide how to invest your dollars to meet the most pressing needs in Central Alabama.

We understand some individuals may want to designate their gift to a specific United Way agency or initiative. The designation will be treated as “first dollars in” towards their allocation. If your company allows designations to non-United Way agencies, the guidelines are as follows:

• Designated agencies must be 501(c)(3), tax-deductible health and human service organizations. This does not include churches, schools, athletic teams, environmental agencies, etc.
• The minimum gift accepted for a non-United Way agency is $1,000 with at least 50% minus processing and fundraising fees of this gift remaining with United Way to be allocated to its partners.
• All matching dollars will remain with United Way to be used as part of the annual allocations process.
• Gifts received through a donor-advised fund cannot be further designated except to United Way agencies or initiatives. These designations will be treated as “first dollars in.” Designations paid from a donor-advised fund will not reflect an individual donor’s name on remittances to an agency or initiative and will not be receipted by United Way.
• Designations to the Central Alabama Children’s Funds exceeding county requests for children in a specific county will be held for that county’s children for one year. After one year, these will become available for distribution according to the needs across the UWCA six-county service area.
• Any gift outside of these guidelines will be distributed through United Way’s allocation and grantmaking processes. When a designated pledge made within these guidelines is paid, United Way forwards the payment, minus cost, to the designated organization.

In accordance with IRS requirements, United Way of Central Alabama has not provided any goods or services in consideration, in short or part, for this contribution

For questions, contact Major Gifts Staff at tocquevillesociety@uwca.org or call 205.458.2038.