Developing a strategic plan for identifying, cultivating and soliciting Tocqueville donors is critical to a strong effort. Below are steps for success:
Identify a Tocqueville Chair
Your CEO or local senior manager should serve as the Tocqueville Chair or identify another senior executive for this role. It is critical that this volunteer is a Tocqueville member.
Identify Tocqueville Prospects
Prospects should include those employees making $150,000 or more or those with a household income of $200,000 or more.
Make the Ask
The ask can be made in a variety of ways-- you may host a dinner or cocktail reception in the home of an executive, including spouses, or an executive briefing as part of an existing senior leadership team meeting. Ideally this ask will be made one-two weeks prior to the Leadership Giving campaign effort so that you have the buy-in of key leaders.
Follow-Up
As with any ask, it is critical that the Tocqueville Chair follow-up personally with each prospect. This may be through a brief one-on-one visit or phone call.
Say Thank-You
The CEO and/or Tocqueville Chair should thank each member individually. Some companies also do a special recognition event for their Tocqueville members annually.
Engage Tocqueville members year-round
Although United Way will communicate with your Tocqueville donors throughout the year, it’s important that the Tocqueville Chair build a culture of Tocqueville within your
organization. Encourage members to attend monthly Second Tuesday luncheons and
other events. Connect donors with the United Way Foundation if they want more information on making a long-term impact through endowing their gift.
Bright Idea
The CEO of Energy Future Holdings Corporation hosted a cocktail party at his home for Tocqueville donors and prospects. The event brought together key leadership from across the organizations, which includes the companies TXU Energy, Luminant, and Oncor. This personal touch from company leadership made a positive difference in the 2008 Tocqueville Event.
Make a Donation
When a child succeeds in school, a single mom pulls herself out of poverty, or a grandfather learns how to better manage his diabetes, we all win. When you reach out a hand to one, you influence the condition of all.
Your donation, large or small, makes it possible for United Way to improve lives in our community.
Make a Memorial Gift
When someone passes away, it’s natural to think about the life they led and the impact they made on the people who loved and admired them. The United Way is grateful to those who Give to further extend the impact of people who have been lost.
Your memorial gift—of any size—pays honors one incredible life by bettering the lives of others throughout our community.
Make a Tribute Gift
Has someone special in your life made you want to honor them by giving to others? A gift to United Way can be a powerful way to say thank you or congratulations, because it can touch the lives of so many people in our community.
When you want to make a tribute gift, please keep the United Way in mind.
Serving Dallas, Collin, Rockwall and Southern Denton Counties
