“I must say that I have seen Americans make a great deal of real sacrifices to the public welfare; and have noticed a hundred instances in which they hardly ever failed to lend a faithful support to one another.” – Alexis Charles-Henri de Tocqueville
In 1831, renowned French political philosopher Alexis Charles-Henri de Tocqueville traveled America extensively, recording his observations of life in the young nation. He recognized, applauded, and immortalized American voluntary action on behalf of the common good.
His words capture the essence of personal philanthropy that persists today, almost three centuries later. Americans, and particularly South Texans, understand that advancing the common good means creating opportunities for a better life for all.
United Way of the Coastal Bend is establishing a founding local chapter of the United Way Tocqueville Society, which recognizes philanthropic leaders and volunteer champions who have devoted time, talent, and funds to create long-lasting changes by tackling our communities’ most serious issues.
Serving as co-chairs of the local chapter are Erik Simpson, UWCB Board Chair and Vice President and General Manager of Valero Three Rivers, and Mitra Khan, UWCB Board Member and President of Highway Barricades & Services LLC.
About the Tocqueville Society
Founded in Nashville in1984, the Tocqueville Society is now more than 25,000 members strong worldwide with more than $9 billion contributed by its members. Membership in the Society is granted to individuals who contribute at least $10,000 annually to their local United Way; National Society membership is granted to individuals who contribute $100,000 or more per year to the United Way.
Why become a member?
Imagine a community where children start kindergarten ready to succeed and graduate high school on time, where families are financially stable, and everyone has access to the basics like food, health care and secure housing. You can make it happen in the Coastal Bend through the local Tocqueville Society chapter.
Membership benefits include:
- Joining a national network of philanthropic leaders who are engaged locally to create long-lasting, positive changes.
- Partnering with United Way of the Coastal Bend, one of the area’s premier and most trusted philanthropic organizations, to ensure that gifts, voice, and time are efficiently invested in local communities to maximize impact.
- Convening community business and civic leaders focused on the building blocks of a good life: a quality education that leads to a stable job; income that can support a family through retirement; and good health.
- Members-only gatherings with thought-provoking speakers and discussions of local interest.
How to join
You can join the United Way of the Coastal Bend Tocqueville Society by making an annual contribution of $10,000 or greater to United Way of the Coastal Bend. Pledges can be made through a variety of options, including payroll deduction, stocks/securities, planned giving and more.
- Click here to make a donation via our online portal
- Click here to download a PDF version of our Tocqueville pledge form
Stock Contributions
You can become a Tocqueville member by making a gift of stock. This allows you to receive a tax deduction for the current, full market value of the stock and avoid capital gains taxes on the profit from the sale of securities. Certain requirements apply to stock contributions. Please call us at (361)882-2529 for more information.
Planned Giving
Make a gift by including United Way of the Coastal Bend in your will or as a beneficiary of your IRA, 401K plan or life insurance policy. Call (361)882-2529 to learn more about giving options that reduce or eliminate taxes.
Step-Up Program
Our Step-Up Program allows you to join the Tocqueville Society with instant membership benefits while you “step up” your contribution to Society levels over a three-year period. During that time, you’ll be honored as a member of the Tocqueville Society with full membership benefits. After three years you can continue giving at the full membership level with full benefits. Click here to download a PDF version of our info brochure and Step-Up pledge form or call (361)882-2529 for more information about this unique opportunity.