Tocqueville Society
Who We Are
The Tocqueville Society is a network of more than 260 households across Dane County working together to create transformative change for real families in our community. We are philanthropic leaders dedicated to tackling the toughest issues facing our neighbors, leveraging our support of United Way to amplify our impact many times over.
What We Do
Through gifts of $10,000 or more annually, Tocqueville Society members invest in making Dane County a place where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. We create real change for real families through the Plan for Community Well-Being. A few times a year, we gather to learn and connect as a community.
A Message from Renee Moe
President & CEO, United Way of Dane County
“Tocqueville leaders have played a catalytic role in helping United Way of Dane County accelerate meaningful, measurable change. From increasing literacy and graduation rates to decreasing family homelessness, Tocqueville members trust and empower United Way to bring the many voices of Dane County together to solve big-picture issues that no one person or organization can address alone. Thank you. We are so grateful for your partnership as we launch into the next century of innovation and impact for our community.”
With your investment of $10,000 annually, we can provide:
underprivileged children with a laptop, software and internet connectivity to foster increased access to learning and education in an at-home environment.
low-income families with housing assistance to prevent eviction and entry/return to homelessness.
Learn how United Way is working to improve financial stability in Dane County.
individuals with new patient exams and vaccinations.
About Tocqueville Society
Tocqueville Society was created by United Way nationally in 1984 to celebrate the legacy of Alexis de Tocqueville, whose 1835 Democracy in America celebrated the impact of North American volunteerism and giving for the sake of the common good. He wrote: “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 faithful support to one another.” Today, 400 Tocqueville Societies across the network connect nearly 25,000 like-minded philanthropic leaders who invest more than $529 million annually.
Tocqueville in Dane County
In Dane County, Tocqueville Society was launched in 1990 by Jerry M. Hiegel and Oscar G. Mayer, and today has grown to 260 households who have invested more than $77.6 million in our community. These resources have been invested in effective community strategies, increasing literacy and graduation rates, decreasing family homelessness, increasing pathways to family sustaining wages and much more.