Tocqueville Society

Inspired Individuals - Transformed Communities

Our Purpose

We are a network of over 250 households in Dane County committed to transformative change. We join together to accelerate and amplify the work of United Way creating a community where everyone can succeed in school, work and life. Help us reach more families working toward stability.

Our Impact

Tocqueville members are the driving force of United Way’s mission. Annual gifts of $10,000 or more make up nearly one quarter of all money raised by United Way of Dane County. Your support is leveraged many times over as United Way convenes the community to tackle the toughest issues, collaborate on key initiatives and measure results through community-wide metrics.

With your investment of $10,000 annually, we can provide:

underprivileged children with a laptop, software and internet connectivity to foster increased access to learning and education in an at-home environment. Learn more about United Way and education here.

low-income families with housing assistance to prevent eviction and entry/return to homelessness. Learn how United Way is working to improve financial stability in Dane County.

individuals with new patient exams and vaccinations. Learn how United Way helps provide access to affordable quality primary, dental and behavioral health care.

Join Us

Tocqueville Society Membership Means:

Strategic giving that targets root causes, ensures accountability and collaboration and addresses our community’s most pressing issues.

Access to insights about what’s working and what’s changing as we help families grow their well-being and maximize their potential.

Opportunities to volunteer alongside others to amplify the impact of your philanthropy.

Relationships with community and business leaders who value servant leadership.

Recognition of your generosity to inspire others to join in as well as invitations to special events.

The 2022 Tocqueville Society Award

In celebration of United Way’s Centennial year, we honored Tocqueville Legacy Circle (TLC) members and all Tocqueville Society Chairs. Their leadership ensures that United Way’s vision and mission becomes transformational change in our community. We are so grateful!

Video: Recruitment and Retention Through Community Service - Tocqueville Conversation Spring 2022

2022 Tocqueville Society leaders, Christine Dahlhauser, Baker Tilly US, LLP, and Sean LaBorde, M3 Insurance, hosted our Spring Conversation focused on the role of corporate responsibility in employee recruitment and retention. The program featured a community discussion around the importance of building company culture around giving back with local industry leaders sharing their proven best practices and stories. Thank you to BMO Harris Bank for their sponsorship of the Tocqueville Conversation Series!

Watch the Recording

About Tocqueville Society

Tocqueville Society was created by United Way nationally in 1984 to celebrate the legacy of Alexis de Tocqueville, whose 1835 Democracy in America celebrated the impact of North American volunteerism and giving for the sake of the common good. He wrote: “I must say that I have seen Americans make a great deal of 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.”

Legacy Circle

United Way Tocqueville Legacy Circle is a movement of community leaders who are advancing the common good now and forever. You can become a part of the Tocqueville Legacy Circle by endowing your annual campaign gift to make an impact felt during your lifetime and for many generations to come. To perpetuate or “endow” your annual Tocqueville Society contribution, you would make a gift 25 times your annual gift.

Click here to learn more.

How to Endow Your Gift

The most common ways to endow your Tocqueville Society gift include making a gift of cash or appreciated stock to establish a Named Fund and designating United Way of Dane County Foundation as the beneficiary of a retirement account, life insurance policy or in your will.

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A Message from Renee Moe, President & CEO, United Way of Dane County

“For the past 32 years of our 100-year history, Tocqueville leaders have played a catalytic role in helping United Way of Dane County accelerate meaningful, measurable change. From increasing literacy and graduation rates to decreasing family homelessness, Tocqueville members trust and empower United Way to bring the many voices of Dane County together to solve big-picture issues that no one person or organization can address alone. Thank you. We are so grateful for your partnership as we launch into the next century of innovation and impact for our community.”

Tocqueville Society in Dane County

Your membership in Tocqueville Society reflects your commitment that advancing the common good means creating opportunities for a better life for all. In Dane County, Tocqueville Society was launched in 1990 by Jerry M. Hiegel and Oscar G. Mayer, and today has grown to over 250 households who have invested more than $73 million in our community.

Greg and Jenelle Rademacher

Why do you invest in United Way of Dane County?

We feel that United Way’s thoughtful, data-driven approach leads to better results. The challenges in our world are great, and so we are seeking the greatest impact possible from our charitable investments. We’re confident that the United Way of Dane County is helping “move the needle.”

Tell us about your family.

The Rademacher Family is Greg, Jenelle, Jackson, Payton and Tristan. We both grew up in the Green Bay area and, after earning degrees from UW, made Madison our official home. Our kids will be entering 11^th, 9^th and 6^th grade in the Middleton district, and the family calendar is driven primarily by baseball and soccer schedules. We love to travel when we get the chance – Door County is often referred to as the “Family Happy Place!”

What do wish other people knew about United Way of Dane County?

How much coordination and buy-in they have developed within the community. The ability to access and leverage the expertise, leadership and resources truly puts them in a unique position to tackle the most challenging issues.

What are you most passionate about? Why?

With Jenelle’s background in pediatric nursing, early childhood development and kindergarten readiness have always held a special place in our hearts. A love of learning lasts a lifetime!

What was your first gift to philanthropy and why?

Our first philanthropic gifts were to the United Way workplace campaign at our first jobs (Copps Food Center). Greg was happy to continue his participation through Buttonwood Partners’ campaign, and we are excited to officially become Loyal Contributors in 2022.

Murali and Jayanthi Iyer

Tell us about your family.

Jayanthi and I have been married for 36 years, and have been blessed with two children who we are happy to see have developed a caring and empathetic nature. Our son Ajit is married to Elizabeth, and they have a 1-year old son Aakash who is the center of our family’s universe! Ajit works for SubZero as a data analyst. Our daughter Divya is a sophomore at Marquette, currently on the path to attain a Journalism & Communication degree.

Why does United Way of Dane County matter to you?

The service rendered by United Way of Dane County makes a direct impact on the quality of life of the people in our communities.

How would you describe your personal/family mission?

As newly-minted immigrants from India back in 1990, we benefited from the kind and generous generous support of the wonderful people of Wisconsin. Now, having been fortunate enough to build a life from scratch in this amazing country, we want to pay to forward to the maximum extent that we can. This is something all of us in our family have embraced as a result of our first hand experience as immigrants who remain grateful for the kind blessings bestowed on us.

What makes you hopeful and happy?

The tremendous empathy for fellow citizens and the strong commitment to the community and country that we see among the youngsters makes us very hopeful about the future of our country in particular and humanity in general.

What role do you feel United Way plays in our community?

United Way brings like-minded citizens together in order to contribute to the overall welfare of our fellow citizens who might be at a juncture where they need a helping hand.

What We're Up To

Tocqueville Conversation Series

Join us over lunch, for networking and conversation designed to inform and inspire. Programs feature remarks by United Way President & CEO, Renee Moe, and a keynote by business and philanthropic leaders.

Tocqueville Society Membership Dinner

Each fall, we gather to celebrate the impact our United Way Tocqueville Society gifts have on the Dane County community. We also honor and celebrate the philanthropy and commitment to our community of a member household.

United Way of Dane County Foundation

Gifts to United Way of Dane County Foundation extend your legacy of effective, local philanthropy. Our Foundation advances United Way’s mission to improve lives through key initiatives in education, financial stability and health... today and for future generations.

Tocqueville Society Leadership

2022 Chair: Christine Dahlhauser

Partner, CPA at Baker Tilly

2022 Vice Chair: Sean LaBorde

President at M3 Insurance

Video: Building a Lasting Legacy: Tocqueville Society Spring Conversation 2021

2021 Tocqueville Society leaders, Jeff Tubbs, J.H. Findorff & Son Inc., and Christine Dahlhauser, Baker Tilly US, LLP, hosted our Spring Conversation. The program featured Jack Salzwedel, Chairman & CEO of American Family Insurance who spoke on legacy building and remarks from Renee Moe, President & CEO of United Way of Dane County. Thank you to BMO Harris Bank for their sponsorship of the Tocqueville Conversation Series!

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Video: Tocqueville Society Leadership Update

In early April, Tocqueville Society members connected virtually for an updated on United Way of Dane County’s work on COVID-19 relief and recovery and how together, we can support the well-being of our community. Watch this video to hear from Tocqueville Leadership, Betty Bergquist and Jeff Tubbs, and United Way President & CEO, Renee Moe

Watch video here

About Tocqueville Society

Download Event Program

Legacy Circle

Click here to learn more.

How to Endow Your Gift

Click here to contact us

A message from Renee Moe, President & CEO, United Way of Dane County

“Our community’s highest and best expression is unleashed when every person in Dane County has the opportunity to realize their full potential. Tocqueville members invest at levels that enable this mission to scale up and build new and wider pathways for a more inclusive prosperity. They set the pace and inspire others through word and action. This work grows in reach and effectiveness when Tocqueville members say, ‘yes we can!’ We are grateful and our community is stronger because they do!”