Make Your Moment. Help us Fight Poverty.

The need in our community is
huge and growing.

The surest way to address the need and effect change is through donations. That’s how you can show your support for the work you feel passionate about. We invite you to give to our Community Impact Fund, the most powerful way to improve lives and strengthen our community, or to designate funds for a specific cause. However you choose to contribute, you can be sure that your hard-earned dollars will impact the greatest needs in our community, because they’re collected with other gifts and directed to programs doing the most to make a difference. (We know because we evaluate the impact of our funded programs every year).

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Leaders United

LEADERS UNITED:
Leading the way for a more equitable community

Leaders United recently formed from United Way’s affinity groups that were created more than 20 years ago by passionate leaders who supported our work to reduce poverty and create impact in central Ohio. In the past, your level of giving would allow you to opt in to one or more of our leadership giving groups based on your gender, race, age or whether you identify as LGBTQ+. During the separation that was necessary due to the pandemic, we realized the importance of community engagement, recognizing diversity and intersectionality, and the need to evolve to meet our donors’ needs.

We believe this transformation into one group, Leaders United, will result in better events, better discussions and better overall connectivity with those who are passionate about our community and United Way’s mission. It will open our conversations and allow you to feel heard, with each of your identities welcomed and appreciated while maintaining a safe place to network, volunteer and amplify voices for leadership. Our goal is to keep our engagement opportunities intentionally diverse.

It will encourage intentional coalitions of leaders from diverse backgrounds with common goals. The best example of this is the Justice Vault, whose founders were highly engaged members of United Way groups. Ignited by injustice resulting from racist systems, the Justice Vault invests in local innovators with high-potential ideas to dismantle racism and create an equitable future. Our goal is to ensure this type of alignment and empowerment happens often.​​​​​

Mission Statement: To mobilize change leaders, bringing them together to connect and learn from one another while amplifying diverse voices and opinions.

Focus areas: Impact. Connection. Philanthropy.

WHY JOIN LEADERS UNITED?
Join this group of passionate change leaders to create an impact in our community. Leaders United is the primary group of leaders and ambassadors of United Way, working to identify and support critical initiatives.

This powerful network of leaders represents a wide variety of age groups, backgrounds, workplaces and interests, who are all committed to making central Ohio an even better place to live, work and play. Leaders United members want to play an important role in setting and carrying out agendas for change in central Ohio. Members invest their time and treasure to help create a more equitable community.

Leaders United can help you make a positive impact on our community by supporting a platform for educating and developing the next generation of leadership volunteers and advocates for change. You’ll receive regular Leaders United emails with information on opportunities to lead and participate in diverse, equitable and inclusive networking,  community education events and special projects designed with Leaders United members in mind. And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn, and register for our monthly Learn United events featuring timely topics in the community and in the news.

Join us. Together we can make a difference.

Who is Eligible for Leaders United? 

You can choose to be a member of Leaders United if you are an individual or household giving any amount to the Community Response Fund or to one or more of United Way’s impact areas: Success by Third Grade, Student Success or Basic Needs.

HOW DO I REGISTER AS A MEMBER?

There is no need to register or sign up. If you give through a workplace campaign or make an individual gift outside a workplace campaign, plus you meet the previously mentioned criteria, then you will be automatically enrolled in Leaders United.

For more information, questions or to get involved with Leaders United, contact Robert Fournier at 614.227.2763 or Robert.Fournier@uwcentralohio.org.

The Tocqueville Society

In 2019, nearly 300 Tocqueville members invested almost $5 million, adding to the more than $70 million given since 2006.

We are grateful to all our Tocqueville Society members for leading the change in central Ohio.

“ Giving has become much more meaningful to me over time. I believe that investing in children at an early age is extraordinarily important and pays huge dividends later in life.” —Antonio Smyth

“ We have been supporting the work of United Way for so many years because we know that our investments and service are helping effectively fight poverty and make lives better. It’s that simple.”  —Donna and Larry James

Members of the Alexis de Tocqueville Society make annual gifts of at least $10,000 to United Way of Central Ohio each year. When you join, you’ll enjoy:

  • Building relationships with like-minded local community leaders
  • Invitations to exclusive events
  • Personalized options for directing charitable investments, including the ability to leverage gifts to maximize their impact
  • Access to volunteer and leadership opportunities
  • The knowledge that you are part of a network–making an impact and changing lives of thousands of neighbors served by United Way funded partners each year.

Join us. United, we can make a difference.


The Tocqueville Society includes six levels of investment, each with unique benefits, including national recognition and invitations to special events.
  • Alexis de Tocqueville: $10,000 to $14,999
  • L’Ordre du Coeur: $15,000 to $24,999
  • Tocqueville Vingt-Cinq: $25,000 to $49,999
  • Ordre d’Egalite: $50,000 – $99,999
  • Tocqueville Premiere: $100,000
  • Million Dollar Roundtable: $1,000,000
The Tocqueville Society Fast Track

Become a Tocqueville Society member immediately while increasing your gift over time with incremental pledges.

  • 1st year – $5,000
  • 2nd year – $7,500
  • 3rd year – $10,000

2021-2022 Campaign Chair

  • John Ammendola
    President & CEO, Grange Insurance

If you would like more information or to get involved with The Tocqueville Society – contact Julia Wyche at 614.227.2713 or Julia.Wyche@uwcentralohio.org.

If you would like to learn more about building a legacy for United Way of Central Ohio by arranging a planned gift, click here.

Cinquefoil fellowship
Community Leaders Passionate About Creating Change

Based on 5 core values, United Way’s Cinquefoil Fellowship focuses on appreciation, recognition, education, advocacy and inclusion. Through their generous gifts, Cinquefoil members demonstrate a commitment to our community and a dedication to helping provide opportunities for all people to reach their potential.

Last year, with the support of Cinquefoil members, United Way of Central Ohio has helped:

  • Provide job training to 3,780 unemployed and underemployed central Ohioans
  • Identify and screen more than 7,000 children through Columbus Kids & Franklin County Kids Initiative
  • Link 19,317 people to healthcare providers and wellness services
  • Provide direct food, shelter and emergency assistance to more than 389,089 people

In addition to creating positive impact in our community, Cinquefoil members enjoy  networking with others who believe in opportunities for everyone.

Join us. United, we can make a difference.

Eligibility

Cinquefoil Fellowship membership is open to central Ohioans who invest $5,000-$9,999 each year in United Way of Central Ohio. Spouses and partners may combine their respective gifts to become Cinquefoil Fellowship members.

Activities

Cinquefoil Fellowship offers several networking events and activities throughout the year to learn more about United Way’s work in our community.

Cinquefoil has no expected attendance requirements; you may select the activities most important to you.

Benefits

Cinquefoil Fellowship members receive special recognition throughout the year and have the opportunity to:

  • Interact with business and community leaders
  • Meet others who are dedicated to creating opportunities for everyone
  • Participate in advocacy opportunities that help make central Ohio a better place to live
Additional Recognition

Cinquefoil Fellowship members may also join other United Way giving groups, including:
Leaders United, to actively create impact in our community
The Society of 1885 (planned gift)

If you would like more information or to get involved with Cinquefoil Fellowship – contact Julia Wyche at 614.227.2713 or Julia.Wyche@uwcentralohio.org.

Community builders
Improving Lives. Strengthening Our Community.

When you give an individual or household gift of $1,000 – $4,999 annually to United Way of Central Ohio, you demonstrate values shared by thousands of your neighbors and friends. For you, we’ve created Community Builders, a new program that provides special recognition for those who believe in bringing positive change to our community.

As a Community Builder, you help ensure that everyone in central Ohio reaches their potential. Community Builders support United Way’s focus on education, income, health and home because these are the building blocks for a better life:

  • A quality education that leads to a stable job
  • Sufficient income to support a family through retirement
  • Good health maintained throughout life
  • A safe and decent place to live

These blocks form the foundation of a strong community. By building together, we have the power to make a bigger difference than we ever could individually. The effect of our actions and donations is amplified, and so is the change we can make.

Community Builders affirms this collective impact. Your individual or household gift of $1,000 – $4,999 annually will change lives and strengthen our community. Not just for today, but for tomorrow, too.

To Be Recognized As A Community Builder:

  • Give an individual or household pledge of $1,000 to ­$4,999 annually.
  • Mark “Community Builders” on your pledge card or electronic pledge form

If you would like more information or to get involved with Community Builders – contact Julia Wyche at 614.227.2713 or Julia.Wyche@uwcentralohio.org.

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