United Way Leadership Givers are those who “lead the way” by making the most powerful contribution possible through gifts to United Way of the Valley and the Greater Utica Area. They represent an exceptional level of community involvement that positively impacts everyone throughout the Mohawk Valley, and their motivation inspires friends, family and co-workers to follow their lead.

Here in our community, nearly 1,000 very special individuals have answered the call to give at a leadership level. Almost 35% of total donations received throughout the entire campaign can be attributed to the generosity of these Leadership Givers.

You too can help United Way by becoming a Leadership Giver. With Three levels of giving, there is one that is sure to fit your budget.

Benefits of Leadership

At the United Way, we are pleased that Leadership Giving offers so many exciting opportunities for those motivated to shape our community with their greatest possible contribution. Our leadership donors receive:

• Recognition in our annual Leadership Brochure
• Social activities and networking opportunities with the fellowship of leaders
• Special communications about the community improvement
• Meaningful volunteer opportunities

Levels of Leadership

TOCQUEVILLE SOCIETY

When Alexis de Tocqueville published “Democracy in America” in 1835, he saw democracy as an equation that balanced liberty and equality, concern for the individual as well as the community. Among his most important observations was the American disposition to organize and join voluntary associations that helped to provide charitable relief to those in need, and to discuss and offer solutions to societal problems. Tocqueville noted that early America had no distinct class of wealth that could be turned to in times of need to relieve suffering. Associations necessarily formed to create the means to deal with problems and reflected a compassion for all those in trouble.

Andrew Carnegie $30,000+
Often regarded as the second richest man in history and after creating the largest and mostprofitable industrial enterprise of the 1890’s, Andrew Carnegie devoted his life to largescale philanthropy, with special emphasis on local libraries, world peace and education and scientific research.

John D. Rockefeller $20,000 - $29,999
As the first U.S. dollar billionaire and founder of the Standard Oil Company, John D. Rockefeller revolutionized the petroleum industry and defined the structure of modern philanthropy.

Johns Hopkins $15,000 - $19,999
Johns Hopkins’ legacy stands for his opposition to slavery, his support for quality education and medicine for the poor, the elderly, women and African-Americans as well as the world-renown institutions he founded including Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Schools of Nursing, Medicine and Public Health.

Jane Addams $10,000 - $14,999
Born into a prosperous Chicago family, Jane Addams dedicated her life to promoting women’s rights and ending child labor. Most notably, Addams is recognized for establishing Hull House in Chicago, one of the first settlement houses in the United States, that included a night school for adults, kindergarten classes, clubs for older children, a gymnasium, music school, library and labor-related divisions.

 

JACK B. RIFFLE ASSOCIATES
"Anything we have done was made possible by those who preceded us. I hope these accomplishments will encourage those who follow in this great ‘people helping people’ effort."
-Jack B. Riffle

The late Jack B. Riffle, former President of Utica National Insurance Group, was one of the community’s longstanding supporters. Through his tireless efforts to engage himself and his colleagues in the Mohawk Valley, he has left an eminent legacy of philanthropy in our area.

Platinum $7,500 - $9,999
Diamond $5,000 - $7,499
Gold $3,000 - $4,999
Silver $2,000 - $2,999

 

ADIRONDACK CLUB
Similar to our unique and beautiful mountainous region, Adirondack Club Members are distinguished as exceptional community leaders and supporters.

Cherry Tree $1,500 - $1,999
Oak Tree $1,000 - $1,499
Maple Tree $750 - $999
Pine Tree $500 - $749