Tocqueville Society

United Way of Delaware County Tocqueville Society – our premier giving society – recognizes our community's most generous and committed philanthropists, those who annually contribute $10,000 or more to United Way of Delaware County.

Over the years, members of our Tocqueville Society have worked to advance the common good for the people of Delaware County. Their gifts helped individuals and families form the building blocks of a good life: a quality education that leads to a stable job, enough income to support a family through retirement, and good health. Last year alone, Tocqueville Members contributed over $115,000.

Benefits of Membership

As a member of the Tocqueville Society, you will enjoy:

• Membership in the National Tocqueville Society, which recognizes outstanding philanthropists across the United States
• Setting an example for the rest of your company and the community
• Demonstrating your company's level of strong commitment
• Leveraging other Tocqueville gifts to have tremendous, tangible impact on individual lives
• Invitations to and recognition at United Way of Delaware County events
• Special communication throughout the year from United Way of Delaware County
• Opportunity to create your own Tocqueville Society Member Profile (coming soon)

The society was named for the French aristocrat Alexis de Tocqueville who came to America in 1831 at the age of 26 and traveled all over our young nation. His observations and discussions with eminent Americans, including Joel Poinsett of South Carolina, formed the basis of Democracy in America, a detailed study of American society and politics.

Perhaps his most important observation was that Americans helped each other in times of need. He recognized, applauded and immortalized the voluntary sprit that lives in America's heart. He wrote: "I must say that I have seen Americans make great and real sacrifices to the public welfare; and have noticed a hundred instances in which they hardly ever failed to lend faithful support to one another."

The name Tocqueville Society was chosen because of Tocqueville's admiration for the spirit of volunteer effort toward the common good.