Leadership Societies

Leadership Giving Societies foster, promote and recognize the importance of voluntary community service and personal giving at exceptional levels. Leadership gifts offer the unique opportunity to join with like-minded individuals to build and shape our community. Leadership Givers are outstanding individuals with a sense of purpose guiding them to use their strengths and personal funds to help others. With willing hands, hearts and resources, their combined efforts create more real, lasting change in the Midlands than they can accomplish alone.
 
United Way of the Midlands is pleased to offer several opportunities for contributors to participate and become personally involved.
 
Affinity Groups
Through three affinity groups, individuals can meet others with the same interests, exchange ideas and volunteer.
 
Young Leaders Society (YLS) members are contributors age 45 and under who are "doers" already working for change or young people who want to get involved. YLS members agree to become Palmetto Society members by their fourth year of membership.
 
Women in Philanthropy (WIP) members have joined together to unite women in the spirit of philanthropy and service. Members are dedicated to making positive, measurable, long-term change in the lives of women and children. A minimum designation of $250 is required for membership.
 
African-American Leadership Initiative (AALI) encourages and recognizes African Americans who contribute $500 or more to the Community Impact Fund. It seeks to raise the visibility of the contributions of African Americans in the Midlands and invites more African American donors to become Leadership Givers and to invest their time and resources in fostering community change. 
 
Giving Societies
Palmetto Society membership starts with contributions at the $1,000 level and is divided into three Circles:
  • Director's Circle — $1,000-$2,499
  • Executive Circle — $2,500-$4,999
  • President's Circle — $5,000-$9999 
Society members are recognized in our Leadership Giving Registry and are considered the hosts of the annual United Way of the Midlands Humanitarian of the Year Award dinner. Other special events and programs are also a benefit of membership with each Circle having unique benefits of membership.
 
Tocqueville Society members meet an annual leadership giving standard of $10,000 or more with a minimum commitment of $4,000 to the Community Impact Fund. Benefits of Tocqueville Society membership include recognition in United Way of the Midlands' Leadership Giving Registry and United Way of America's National Registry. Members receive invitations to all United Way of the Midlands events plus an exclusive reception. Special publications and information regarding United Way programs and initiatives are provided throughout the year.
 
United Way of the Midlands Legacy Club is comprised of donors who have made a Planned Gift to  United Way through a bequest, charitable gift annuity, life insurance policy, or other vehicle. Donors have the satisfaction of knowing that they will help provide for the community in the future.