Donor Groups

Metro United Way offers a number of groups and societies that allow donors to add to their experience with Metro United Way and be more involved in our work.

• Leadership Giving - annual gifts of $1,000 or more
• WINGs and Women's Initiative - for women who are leadership donors
• Young Leaders Society - leadership donors up to age 40
• Tocqueville Society - annual gifts of $10,000 or more
• Allen Society - annual gifts of $25,000 or more
• Red Feather Society - donors who have made planned gifts to Metro United Way
• Diamond Donors - donors who have been contributing 20 years or more

Leadership Giving

Leadership Giving is a recognition program of generous individual gifts of $1,000 or more annually to Metro United Way. Donors at the Leadership level are able to take advantage of matching grants, which maximize the impact of your gift. If you would like more information on joining this prestigious group, please contact Tonya Schweitzer, tonya.schweitzer@metrounitedway.org or 502.292.6148.

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WINGs and Women's Initiative

In 1999, Ina Brown Bond challenged women in our community to increase their impact on the lives of others by offering a $1 million match for donations. Those who met the challenge grew to become a greater network of women, Metro United Way's Women's Initiative and WINGs. These dedicated women strengthen our community through a focused investment of their treasure, talent and time.

Women's Initiative and WINGs members annually give $10,000 or $1,000 respectively, and just as in 1999, those gifts are multiplied by matching programs. Members also give to the community by volunteering individually or with their families. Special events and functions offer unique ways to network with other committed women and community leaders who share the same passion for helping those in need and leading by example. Exclusive get-togethers offer unique opportunities for members to share ideas on how to improve the quality of life in Kentuckiana and enjoy social time. 

Businesswomen, community leaders, wives, mothers and daughters are all invited to join through either a personal donation or an honorarium made by a family member or associate. Men are invited to join by making a gift in the name of a female family member or associate. Please contact Jennifer Humphreys to join, get more information or set up a Women's Initiative/WINGs program at your company, 502.292.6119 or jennifer.humphreys@metrounitedway.org.

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Young Leaders Society

Young Leaders are up-and-coming members of the community, age 40 and under, who contribute at the Leadership level of $1,000 or more annually.  The mission of the Young Leaders Society is to promote and encourage philanthropy and volunteerism among Young Leaders in Kentuckiana through a variety of social, educational, volunteer and networking opportunities. Young Leaders are also eligible for the Gheens Foundation Young Leaders Challenge, which offers matching funds for any individual age 40 and younger to join the Leadership Giving Program.

Goals for the Young Leaders Society are to increase participation and membership, educate members and target prospective Young Leaders and Metro United Way contributors; enhance community involvement of Young Leaders by providing members with community service opportunities; develop members’ leadership skills through professional and personal relationships, as well as utilize their skills during the Metro United Way campaign. 

Companies who hold Metro United Way campaigns may appoint a "young professional" co-chair to the employee campaign. The co-chair would be responsible for providing education and awareness to other young professionals within the company. 

Responsibilities – a Young Leader would serve as an Ambassador:

• Point of contact for Young Leader program information at his or her company
• Encourage involvement in Young Leader program activities, special events and educational opportunities
• Identify current & potential members of the Young Leader program and ensure they understand and take advantage of the benefits of this initiative to its members
• Organize a place for everyone to meet and attend Young Leader Program events
• Maintain a current e-mail list of the company’s members.  Ensure that all changes and updates are communicated to the local Metro United Way Young Leaders Director.
• Communicate regularly with members and potential members within his or her workplace concerning the impact of the effort on community needs, progress towards goals and initiative updates.

Benefits:

• Provides an easy way to gain visibility in his or her company as community leader
• Provides networking opportunity with Young Leaders at other companies in the community
• Provides opportunities to grow and enhance vital leadership skills
• Facilitates exposure to community leaders who provide practical advice and solutions to his or her leadership challenges
• Receive special recognition and appreciation

For more information about the Young Leaders Society, the Young Leaders workplace program or to join, please contact Angela Champion, 502.292.6116 or angela.champion@metrounitedway.org.

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Tocqueville Society

The purpose of the Tocqueville Society is to foster, promote, and recognize the vital importance of voluntary community service and personal giving at an exceptional level. The Tocqueville Society recognizes generous individuals who are able to make a substantial annual commitment of $10,000 and above to support Metro United Way.

The name was chosen for Alexis de Tocqueville's admiration for the voluntary spirit he observed and detailed in his book, Democracy in America. He wrote, "When an American asks for the cooperation of his fellow citizens, it is seldom refused; and I have often seen it afforded spontaneously and with great good will."

• Million Dollar Roundtable
  $1 million within five years
• Order of Prosperity
  $750,000 -$999,000 per year
• Order of Humanity
  $100,000 or more per year
• Order of Equality
  $50,000 - $99,000 per year
• Order of Liberty
  $25,000 - $49,999 per year
• Benefactors
  $15,000 - $24,999 per year
• Members of the Society
  $10,000 - $14,999 per year

If you would like more information about the Tocqueville Society, please contact Jennifer Humphreys, jennifer.humphreys@metrounitedway.org or 502.292.6119.

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Allen Society

Metro United Way Allen Society members are an elite group of philanthropists for whom leadership and service to community are innate. The Society is the highest level of the Metro United Way Tocqueville Society, open to individuals who contribute $25,000 or more annually. It is this group that most clearly links the spirit of Ivan Allen to the needs and concerns of today.

If you wish to make an Allen Society gift to Metro United Way, please contact Jennifer Adrio at 502.292.6108 or Jennifer.Adrio@metrounitedway.org or 502.292.6108.

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Red Feather Society

For decades, the red feather was widely recognized as a symbol of the Community Chest, Metro United Way's forerunner. This cherished symbol carries the same meaning today as it did then: community involvement and generous contributions to help those in need. By remembering Metro United Way in a planned gift, not only do you become a part of this proud tradition as a Red Feather Society member, but you also help to ensure the future of Metro United Way and our community.

The most common kind of legacy gift is a bequest by will, but you can also make planned gifts in the form of endowments, stock, charitable gift annuities, real estate and securities, charitable trusts and life insurance. To learn more about these gifts or to learn which gift type best meets your needs you may visit our new suite of online Planned Giving tools! For any information or questions about these options, please contact Pam Ottersbach, Pam.Ottersbach@metrounitedway.org or 502.292.6138.

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Diamond Donors

Have you been giving to United Way for 20 years or more? If so, you are a Diamond Donor!

Did you begin supporting United Way by earning a Red Feather pin for collecting dimes in elementary school? Or did you start by giving through payroll deductions at your workplace? Unfortunately, before the widespread use of computers, United Way did not always receive the names of our contributors. For this reason, we are asking our loyal donors of 20 years or more to make us aware of this wonderful history of generosity.

Please think about your history of giving. If you have been giving for 20 years (not necessarily consecutively and not necessarily in just one community), please let us know by identifying yourself as a Diamond Donor. We want to thank our loyal, long-term contributors, recognize you and make sure you know just how valuable you are!

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