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WHAT IT MEANS TO LIVE UNITED Since the United Way movement began in Denver in 1887, thousands of business, community, and political leaders like you have helped Mile High United Way create meaningful, positive change by uniting people, ideas, and resources to advance the common good. Mile High United Way does what no other organization can do we unite the public, private, philanthropic, and nonprofit sectors, acting as a critical hub to address our community s most challenging issues. Your time and financial investment is integral in making our work effective. The power to change lives and transform communities is in your hands. Your support launches children into a strong start, guides underserved youth to opportunities for a better life, and lays the foundation for families and individuals to succeed by meeting basic needs food, shelter, and safety and building strong skills for financial self-sufficiency. 2
The Real Return On Investment It s a feeling. Membership in the Tocqueville Society is meaningful because giving is transformative. Maybe your personal values or family tradition drives you to create positive change through philanthropy. Maybe you know that investing in the community where you live and work makes economic sense. Maybe Mile High United Way or its partners helped you or someone you know, and a gift is your way of saying thanks. Maybe you care about building a social network of like-minded peers. Whatever the reason behind your investment, you can be confident that you are making a tangible difference in the lives of children, young people, and families right here in our community. Thank you for joining Mile High United Way s Tocqueville Society to improve our community. 3
I have seen Americans making great and sincere sacrifices for the key common good and a hundred times I have noticed that, when needs be, they almost always gave each other faithful support. - Alexis de Tocqueville THE TOCQUEVILLE SOCIETY Exceptional Individuals Changing Lives and Transforming Communities The Mile High United Way Tocqueville Society is named for French author, Alexis de Tocqueville, who traveled extensively through the United States and wrote Democracy in America, a detailed study of society and politics. Tocqueville recognized and applauded the American desire to take a personal role in the advancement of society by combining philanthropy and government service. The Tocqueville Society is a powerful group of philanthropic leaders who invest $10,000 or more annually in Mile High United Way. Approximately 400 households are members of the Tocqueville Society and invest more than $10 million in Mile High United Way s work in our community. Members share a passion for investing in our community and making a difference both personally and collectively. 4
JOININGTOCQUEVILLE The Tocqueville Society acknowledges philanthropic leaders in each United Way community. Membership is open to individuals who contribute $10,000 or more annually. The national society was created by United Way of America in 1984. Two years later, Mile High United Way began its own Tocqueville Society designed to deepen individuals understanding of, commitment to, and support of United Way and its work. Mile High United Way s first society was comprised of a small group of 25 donors who gave a total of $250,000. The membership has since grown to more than 400 members giving over $10 million collectively each year. Trusted. Local. Transparent. Tocqueville Society members trust Mile High United Way to make smart community investments in the most effective programs and solutions that can create sustainable change. When you give to Mile High United Way, your investment is governed by a strong local, independent Board of Trustees, and our annual audit by a national firm ensures transparent financial management. Your strategic investment in Mile High United Way truly changes lives in our community. I give to Mile High United Way because it is the best way to leverage my investment and create the most significant impact in our community. - Brad Busse, President, Busse Ventures, and Tocqueville Society member since 1995 5
MEMBERBENEFITS Membership in Mile High United Way s Tocqueville Society includes invitations to exclusive events that allow you to gain deep insight into community issues. Community Conversations Speak with elected officials and business and community leaders about issues relevant to the Metro Denver community. National Network Join a national network of philanthropic leaders who are engaged locally to create long-lasting, positive community change. Personalized Philanthropic Advising Take advantage of Mile High United Way s personalized professional advising to match your philanthropic interests with the causes you are most passionate about, and ensure that you are making the most impact with your investment. Exclusive Breakfast Events Attend Tocqueville Breakfasts to hear speakers who highlight thought-provoking corporate, political, and nonprofit issues, and network with influential leaders and top-level executives. Social Hour Soirées and Night Out Banquets Hosted by Tocqueville Ambassadors, social hours and night out banquets offer an opportunity to engage with long-time, new, and prospective Tocqueville Society members at venues around the city. Personalized Tours of Program Sites Tour Mile High United Way program sites to learn more about how your philanthropic investment impacts lives. Volunteer Opportunities Participate in family-friendly volunteer opportunities that match your interests, availability, and expertise. Mentor Opportunities Become a career and philanthropic mentor for a member of the Emerging Leaders Council, a network of young professionals, ages 21 to 45. Christine Benero, President and CEO, Mile High United Way and Tocqueville Society member since 2010, with David Eves, President, Public Service Company of Colorado and Tocqueville Society member since 2012, speaking at an exclusive Tocqueville Society event at the ART, a hotel 6
YOURINVESTMENT Mile High United Way is more than an organization. We are a catalyst for social change. Your investment helps us develop long-term solutions that ensure children are learning and reading at grade level; that young people graduate from high school ready for college or the workforce; and individuals and families can meet their basic needs and have every opportunity to move toward economic success. 85% Invested Back Into the Community 85 cents of every dollar we spend goes toward programs, far surpassing the Better Business Bureau standard of 65 cents. Mile High United Way values its fiduciary responsibility to donors, funders, and the larger community, and strives to operate as efficiently as possible. COMMUNITY INVESTMENTS Tocqueville Society members contributed over 25% of Mile High United Way s total current year support to significantly strengthen our community. REVENUE 2015 Torch Award Winner Every year, the Better Business Bureau honors three businesses and two nonprofits for outstanding ethical practices. Mile High United Way was awarded the 2015 Torch Award in the Large Nonprofit category. 7
YOURIMPACT Giving Children a Strong Start The earliest years of a child s life lay the foundation for success in their education. To increase a child s opportunity for a lifetime of success during this period of rapid brain development, Mile High United Way supports early literacy development and kindergarten readiness to ensure that every child enters school ready to meet critical milestones. Julie Bearup, Community Leader, and Tocqueville Society member since 2005, with her Power Lunch Reading Buddy, Emma Lynne Providing Opportunities to Youth All youth need guidance to define who they are and who they want to become. Mile High United Way works to ensure that youth have the skills they need to complete high school and pursue post-secondary work or education, whether they are transitioning out of foster care, experiencing poverty, or are in need of mentoring support to take the next step toward college or the workforce. Deb Smith, CFO, Cynosure Energy LLC, and Tocqueville Society member since 2005, with Bridging the Gap Career Week participant, Elsa Meeting Basic Needs to Promote Financial Independence In healthy communities, adults are able to find stable work that provides for their own needs and allows them to support their families. Mile High United Way helps individuals by providing education, training, and resources. Through this we help people transition from homelessness to a shelter, from a low-skill job to a life-long career, or from a career to a financially-secure retirement. 8 Mark Everett, Group VP, Target, and Tocqueville Society member since 2015, with Baillie Tichy, a 2-1-1 Help Center Specialist
FEATUREDMEMBERS Nina and Ian Currigan are Tocqueville donors who care deeply about an intentional approach to giving. As the inaugural Chair of the Mile High United Way Emerging Leaders Council (ELC) in 2008, Ian was determined to show his colleagues and other ELC members how having a thoughtful approach to giving can have greater impact on the community, and even their career. When Ian and Nina met, they both worked for KPMG, one of the largest professional services companies in the world. Many of their colleagues and clients were involved with United Way, which formed a basis for the strong connection they now feel to Mile High United Way s work in the community. Mile High United Way provides so many opportunities to become involved in community development throughout the year, so we can do what fits our schedule and our interests, said Ian. You can give to Mile High United Way knowing that they have the expertise to most effectively affect change. As busy young professionals and parents of a young child, they recognize having limited time or resources as a barrier to getting more involved with causes they care about. But Ian and Nina believe their Mile High When we give to Mile High United Way we know that our money is making a difference in the community. Ian Currigan, Director of Reporting and Marketing Accounting, DCP Midstream, and Tocqueville Society member since 2011 United Way involvement benefits the community, while also letting them grow a network that benefits them professionally. It can be hard to contribute time, so it s important to us to give back financially, said Nina. We feel this way because there are many people in the community who don t have as much as we do. With Mile High United Way, we can focus on our giving and volunteering as a family. Giving back makes us both feel more strongly connected to the community we live in. 9
ANNUALGIVINGLEVELS Mile High United Way appreciates the generosity of our Tocqueville Society members. Contributions are recognized on a local and national level. Tocqueville Member $10,000 $14,999 Mile High United Way Tocqueville membership is open to individuals who contribute $10,000 to $14,999 annually. Tocqueville members are committed to, and support the work of Mile High United Way. Summit Member $15,000 $24,999 Mile High United Way Summit membership is open to individuals who contribute $15,000 to $24,999 annually. Summit members have expanded their level of personal giving and strengthened their commitment by devoting time, talent, and funds to create long-lasting relationships. Champions Circle Member $25,000 $99,999 Mile High United Way Champions Circle (Jim and Pat Bye Circle) members are an inspiring group of Metro Denver philanthropists who contribute $25,000 or more, for whom leadership and service to community are driving forces. The mission of the Champions Circle is to promote giving and the volunteer spirit by uniting the philanthropic efforts of exceptional individuals. United Way Worldwide Recognition To recognize Tocqueville Society members, special orders of recognition have been created by United Way Worldwide in the spirit of Alexis de Tocqueville s belief in the power of free will to do good. Members de la Société $10,000 $14,999 La Société Nationale $100,000 $249,999 Ordre d Indépendance $250,000 $499,999 Million Dollar Round Table $1 million plus 10 Left: Carrie Morgridge, a Tocqueville Society member since 2006, spoke on a panel at the United Way Worldwide Million Dollar Roundtable in 2015
INCREASINGYOURGIFT Seize the opportunity to address today s needs and commit to the future success of our strategic programs and investments toward long-term solutions. Step-Up Programs Inspired by donations from Tocqueville Society members Mark and Suzy Kennedy and Caz Matthews, Mile High United Way created step-up programs to Tocqueville and Champion levels of giving. The Kennedy Step-Up program enables donors to incrementally increase investments over two or three years while enjoying membership benefits right away. Kennedy Two-Year Step-Up to Tocqueville Membership Year 1 $7,500 Year 2 $10,000 Kennedy Three-Year Step-Up to Tocqueville Membership Year 1 $5,000 Year 2 $7,500 Year 3 $10,000 Champions Circle Step-Up Year 1 $15,000 Year 2 $20,000 Year 3 $25,000 10% Club Tocqueville Society members can pledge to increase their annual gift by 10% each year. This meaningful increase ensures that we can grow our impact and serve even more individuals and families in Metro Denver. Governor John Hickenlooper, a Tocqueville Society member since 2007, addresses the audience at a Tocqueville Breakfast 11
Gloria is a participant in Mile High United Way s Bridging the Gap program, which helps support youth transitioning out of the child welfare system. Mile High United Way strives to create long lasting changes within the Metro Denver community by focusing on education for children, guidance for atrisk youth and income for families. These are the building blocks for a good life. - Cedric L. Buchanon, City President-Metropolitan Denver, BBVA Compass, and Tocqueville Society member since 2013 12
LEGACYCIRCLE The Mile High United Way Founders Legacy Society recognizes those who have chosen to support our community with an estate or planned gift of any amount. The Tocqueville Legacy Circle is a group of individuals from our Founders Legacy Society who have chosen to pledge a minimum of $250,000 through their estate plans. Endowing your annual Tocqueville gift is a wonderful way to extend your impact and continue to work for positive change in our community well into the future and beyond your lifetime. A legacy gift sustains Mile High United Way s ability to build our Legacy Fund. The nation s strongest nonprofit organizations are the best-endowed, financially stable and able to make strategic investments in people and undertake important initiatives that have real impact. By producing a growing and flexible income in perpetuity, endowed gifts add revenue each year to achieve our mission. A Tocqueville Legacy Circle gift ensures the ability of Mile High United Way to invest in the community for years to come. Tocqueville Legacy Circle Member Benefits Access to all Tocqueville Society benefits for life. Invitations to elite Tocqueville Legacy Circle events. Recognition on special honor rolls and honorary listing on the Tocqueville Society roster in perpetuity. With Mile High United Way we have the opportunity to volunteer as a family, and now, through our legacy gift, we have put in place our commitment to philanthropy that will extend past our lifetime. Pam Jeffords, Partner, Mercer Human Resource Consulting, and Tocqueville Society member since 2007 13
Mile High United Way creates opportunities for all children, their families, and individuals through our unique position at the intersection of the public, private, philanthropic, and nonprofit sectors. We are more than an organization we are a catalyst for social change. By conducting deep community research, advocating for systems-level change, and strengthening and investing in community programs, we develop long-term solutions that ensure our children are learning and reading at grade level; that young people graduate from high school ready for college or the workforce; and individuals and families have their basic needs met and are afforded every opportunity to move toward economic success. Together, we LIVE UNITED. 14 Mile High United Way 711 Park Avenue West Denver, CO 80205 303.433.8383 unitedwaydenver.org
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16 711 Park Avenue West Denver, CO 80205 unitedwaydenver.org