Tocqueville Society

Tocqueville Society members are exceptional individuals who share significant resources that help implement United Way’s coordinated response to community needs.

This philanthropic group was named by United Way of America for the Frenchman Alexis Charles Henri Maurice Clérel de Tocqueville, who critiqued our country’s evolving political and social structure in Democracy in America (1835 and 1840) and declared himself most impressed with Americans’ generosity:

“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.”

In 2007-08, “faithful support” in the greater New Orleans area came in the form of $2.7 million from 147 Tocqueville Society members, a significant portion of the record-breaking $20.7 million raised throughout the campaign year. Funds that are not designated by the donor to a specific agency are allocated through a rigorous application and review process to health and human service programs that positively impact our community and improve the lives of our families and friends, neighbors and employees. 

The Tocqueville Society chapter of our local United Way was founded in 1985 by C. Allen Favrot, a dedicated volunteer leader and major donor, whose forebears have been involved in United Way campaigns for generations. “Mr. Allen” still works daily with United Way staff to involve New Orleans’ leadership in charitable investments that help our region grow stronger.

Kim Sport signed on as Tocqueville Society Chairman in 2007, following abundant accomplishments as United Way Board Chairman, Campaign Chairman, Founder and Chairman of the Women’s Leadership Council and Katrina Recovery Chairman. Kim originated this book and upgraded the Alexis de Tocqueville Award event to increase the visibility and acknowledge the generosity of United Way’s philanthropic leadership.

The 2008-09 United Way Campaign Cabinet, following the lead of other United Ways across the country, approved a “corporate match” program which recognizes as new Tocqueville Society members those individuals whose personal gift meets or exceeds $10,000 when matched by their employer.

Membership

The Alexis de Tocqueville Society for the Greater New Orleans Area counts within its ranks an exceptional array of leadership. Corporate executives, entrepreneurs, professionals, community activists and members of old and influential families are bound together by a major commitment of resources in support of the common good.

The one criterion for membership is an annual gift of at least $10,000. The gift must come from an individual’s personal resources or a living family foundation. Corporate gifts qualify only when the donor privately owns the company. Gifts from publicly held companies do not qualify for Tocqueville membership. View our Membership Register here.

Membership Levels

Million Dollar Roundtable ~  $1,000,000+
National Society ~  $100,000—$249,99
Order of Fraternity ~  $75,000—$99,999
Order of Equality ~  $50,000—$74,999
Order of Liberty ~  $25,000—$49,999
Order of Independence ~  $15,000—$24,999
Alexis de Tocqueville ~  $10,000—$14,999.