2025 Annual Report - Flipbook - Page 61
THE TOCQUEVILLE SOCIETY
HONORING THE PAST, INSPIRING THE FUTURE:
45 YEARS OF TOCQUEVILLE SOCIETY GIVING
In 1981, Dr. Thomas F. Frist Jr. envisioned more than just
philanthropy—he saw the possibility of an alliance of leaders
stepping forward, shoulder to shoulder, to tackle Nashville’s most
pressing needs. Alongside 27 other visionaries, he founded the Alexis
de Tocqueville Society Alpha Chapter, the very 昀椀 rst of its kind.
What began in Nashville soon rippled outward, transforming
how communities across the nation approached giving. Today,
Tocqueville Society members have invested more than $10 billion
in United Way efforts worldwide, including over $160 million in
Nashville alone. These gifts are more than numbers—they represent
revitalized classrooms, uplifted families and brighter futures.
2025 Tocqueville Award winners: Phillip G. Billington,
Sandra L. Morgan, Joseph N. Steakley
WHY UNITED WAY?
UWGN unites many voices and organizations to solve complex
challenges, operating with the ef昀椀 ciency of a business and the
compassion of a community. Tocqueville donors help make this
possible through annual gifts of $10,000 or more.
This model of collaboration and accountability sets United Way apart—and
makes every Tocqueville gift an investment in real, measurable impact.
A LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP
The Tocqueville Society has grown to nearly 500 local members, who
collectively invested $6.1 million in 2024. These gifts form the bedrock
of United Way’s mission—essential to its core work and a steady source
of hope for the community.
“The Tocqueville Society represents the very best of what it means to
live united,” said United Way board chair Lee Blank. “Its members are
not only generous investors, but also visionary leaders who believe
in creating lasting change for our neighbors. Through United Way of
Greater Nashville, we are able to connect their passion with meaningful
opportunities—ensuring that every dollar, every hour and every act of
service strengthens the fabric of our community.”
“
The Tocqueville
Society represents the
very best of what it
means to live united.
Lee Blank,
United Way board chair
”
Over the years, the Tocqueville Society Award has recognized those
whose leadership and generosity have shaped Middle Tennessee. Past
recipients include Martha R. Ingram, the late Annette Eskind and Dr.
Frist himself, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
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