Your gift of $10,000 or more annually invites you to join United Way’s Tocqueville Society, a National Giving Society.

The United Way Tocqueville Society is an opportunity for passionate individuals to become more deeply involved in United Way’s mission. The Society recognizes local philanthropic leaders who have devoted themselves to creating long-lasting change by tackling Hampshire County’s most serious issues.

After visiting the young United States in 1831, Alexis de Tocqueville wrote that he admired three elements in North American society: liberty, equality and the spirit of neighbor helping neighbor.

These same elements are embraced in the French national motto: “Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité.” Tocqueville believed that by achieving these elements of democracy, all people would choose to pursue freedom, knowledge and prosperity, or indépendance, connaissance, and prospérité.

Specifically, the United Way Tocqueville Society aims to:

• Change lives through philanthropic leadership focused on the building blocks for a better life: an education that leads to stable work; income that supports a family through retirement; and good physical and emotional health.

• Communicate the critical role of personal philanthropy in creating long-lasting change.

• Expand high-level personal giving and United Way Major and Planned Giving programs.

• Strengthen local United Way of Hampshire County leadership by building a network of like-minded leaders.

Membership Benefits

• Joining a national network of philanthropic leaders who are creating local long-lasting, positive changes.

• Partnering with a trusted organization and dedicated staff to ensure that gifts, voice, and time are efficiently invested in local communities to maximize impact

• Strengthening the unique position of United Way as one of the world’s premier philanthropic organizations that convenes community business and civic leaders focused on the building blocks of a good life: an education that leads to stable work; income that supports a family through retirement; and good physical and emotional health.

• The chance for participating in national and worldwide gatherings of Tocqueville and Million Dollar Roundtable Members.

Membership Levels

Orders of recognition have been created based on these concepts, and distinguished by the level of giving:

Membres de la Société — $10,000 - $24,999

• Ordre de Liberté — $25,000 - $49,999

• Ordre d’Egalité — $50,000 - $74,999

• Ordre de Fraternité — $75,000 - $99,999

• La Société Nationale — $100,000 - $249,999

• Ordre d’Indépendance — $250,000 - $499,999

• Ordre de Connaissance — $500,000 - $749,999

• Ordre de Prospérité — $750,000 - $999,999

• La Table Ronde de Millions de Dollars — $1 million plus

Contact us at development@uw-fh.org or 413-584-3962 to learn how you can become involved in the United Way Tocqueville Society and/or to inquire about local membership benefits.

Good Fortune to Give Back

Tocqueville Society member Jack Hornor talks about the privilege of being able to help others

Jack Hornor moved to Western Massachusetts in 1992, a year after coming out as gay. “I needed a place where I would be welcome,” Hornor says. 

Hornor quickly got involved with gay causes, working to get Northampton to recognize same sex domestic partnerships. That issue failed at the ballot, but helped to energize the cause, and led to Hornor entering political work. “Nobody had an issue about me being gay,” Hornor says, “They just wanted me to help out.”

Since then, Hornor has helped out in spades. His volunteer and board work includes chairing the Northampton Community Preservation Committee, chairing the Northampton Housing Partnership, working on the State Hospital Citizens Advisory Committee, and serving on the United Way of Hampshire County’s audit committee. In addition, he was a founding board member of MassEquality (dedicated to a Massachusetts without discrimination and oppression based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression), serving as co-chair of the development committee, chair of the finance committee, member of executive committee, and treasurer. Recently, he was awarded volunteer of the year by the Northampton Democratic Party.

All this work has given Hornor a holistic understanding and appreciation of the region, which is one reason Hornor and husband Ron Skinn support the United Way at the Tocqueville Society level. “The United Way analyzes greater community needs and adjusts support as needed,” Hornor says, “They refocus priorities. It is not about doing the same thing year after year.”

Hornor is unique when it comes to philanthropy. His work and volunteer experience have provided an intimate understanding of nonprofits from the inside. He is also generous with his expertise and resources, which he parlayed into work as a fundraising consultant, focusing on ethical, donor-centered philanthropy. “I know about nonprofits and philanthropy from both sides,” says Hornor. “I know a lot about asking for money. I also have the good fortune to be able to give back. How many people are like me? I’m lucky.”

Hornor says his unique situation further explains his support of United Way. “United Way is a vital part of the nonprofit community,” says Hornor, “and not just because it collects and distributes money, which it does very well. It plays an important leadership role. The United Way is the place to give, and it is a privilege to be part of it.”