THE VANGUARD
The Vanguard Leadership Giving Program is a tradition of support that recognizes contributors of $1,000 or more to United Way of Greater Lafayette.
There are six levels of Vanguard Leadership Giving:
Pearl Level: $1,000 – $1,499
Topaz: $1,500 – $1,999
Sapphire: $2,000 – $3,499
Ruby: $3,500 – $4,999
Emerald: $5,000 – $9,999
Alexis de Tocqueville Society: $10,000+
The Vanguard Leadership Giving Program began with a grant from Great Lakes Chemical Corporation in 1987. Three community leaders worked together to start this program. The first Vanguard Chairman was Jim Risk of Kirby Risk Corporation. With some help from his friends, Mr. Risk began to cultivate The Vanguard. He had recruited 116 charter members. This first group of Vanguard Donors contributed $163,400. Over the years the Vanguard Leadership Giving Program has grown significantly.
If you are interested in making a Vanguard gift or have questions about The Vanguard, please e-mail Kayla Miles.
ALEXIS DE TOCQUEVILLE SOCIETY
The Alexis de Tocqueville Society is a national, philantrhipic society that honors individuals throughout the United States who make generous gifts of $10,000 and above annually to their local United Way organizations. It was formed in 2003 and named after Alexis Charles-Henri Clerel de Tocqueville due to his spirit of voluntary association and voluntary effort for the common good. Members of The Alexis de Tocqueville Society help ensure the future of our community.
Alexis Charles-Henri Clerel de Tocqueville was only 26 years old when he came to America in 1831, and he traveled all over our young nation. de Tocqueville spend just nine months in the United States, but he gleaned an insightful view of American Society. His observations, readings, and discussions with distinguished Americans formed the basis of Democracy in America, a detailed study of American society and politics, published in two volumes, in 1835 and 1840.
Perhaps his most important observation was that Americans helped each other in times of need. He recognized, applauded and immortalized the voluntary spirit that lives in America’s heart. He wrote: “I must say that I have seen Americans make a great and 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.”
The Alexis de Tocqueville Society, named because of Tocqueville’s admiration for the spirit of voluntary association and voluntary effort for the common good, is a national, philanthropic society honoring individuals throughout the United States making gifts of $10,000 and above annually to their local United Way organizations.
In 2003, United Way of Greater Lafayette announced the formation of Alexis de Toqueville Society. We salute our Alexis de Tocqueville donors who give so generously, lead by example and help to ensure the future of our community.
If you are interested in making an Alexis Charles-Henri Clerel de Tocqueville gift or have questions about de Tocqueville, please e-mail Kayla Miles.