We help ensure our region has a safety net of stable nonprofits poised to answer the call of our neighbors in need and the collective generosity of Leadership Givers strengthens our community in times of disaster and crises. A gift of $1,000 or more helps make our community safer, healthier and better equipped for the future. Join more than 7,000 United Way Leadership Givers in creating a region where our neighbors can live their best possible lives.
Hear from our President and CEO, Michelle Tucker, on the benefits of Leadership Giving.
The de Tocqueville Society recognizes local philanthropic leaders who contribute an annual gift of $10,000 or more to United Way and promotes the vital role of personal philanthropic action.
The Charmaine Chapman Society is the nation’s premier Black leadership society, with hundreds of local members connecting, celebrating, and learning from one another.
The Men’s Leadership Society recognizes donors and connects them with other community-focused individuals through service projects and networking events.
Multicultural Leadership Society celebrates our region’s diversity by engaging and uniting individuals from all cultures and recognizing professionals who value the importance of philanthropy.
The Women’s Leadership Society supports and empowers women by providing an inspiring community, connecting members with philanthropic opportunities, and developing skills to lead.
United Young Leaders connects the next generation of local leaders and philanthropists in St. Louis and collaborates to make a difference through volunteerism, networking, and leadership opportunities.
Leadership GivingSociety Benefits
$1,000 – $2,499 Champion
Monthly newsletter
Invitations to United Way donor programs and events
Bi-annual volunteer projects
Get on Board: Taking your Board Service to the Next Level
Networking workshop
$2,500 – $4,999 Ambassador
Monthly newsletter
Invitations to United Way donor programs and events
Bi-annual volunteer projects
Get on Board: Taking your Board Service to the Next Level
Networking workshop
Newsletter spotlight
$5,000 – $9,999 Leadership
Monthly newsletter
Invitations to United Way donor programs and events
Bi-annual volunteer projects
Get on Board: Taking your Board Service to the Next Level
Networking workshop
Newsletter spotlight
Workshop: Your Donor Journey
Leadership GivingSociety Benefits
$1,000 – $2,499 Champion
Monthly newsletter
Invitations to United Way donor programs and events
Bi-annual volunteer projects
Get on Board: Taking your Board Service to the Next Level
Networking workshop
$2,500 – $4,999 Ambassador
Monthly newsletter
Invitations to United Way donor programs and events
Bi-annual volunteer projects
Get on Board: Taking your Board Service to the Next Level
Networking workshop
Newsletter spotlight
$5,000 – $9,999 Leadership
Monthly newsletter
Invitations to United Way donor programs and events
Bi-annual volunteer projects
Get on Board: Taking your Board Service to the Next Level
Networking workshop
Newsletter spotlight
Workshop: Your Donor Journey
de Tocqueville Society Benefits
$10,000 – $14,999 Member Circle $15,000 – $24,999 Silver Circle
All Leadership Giving Society benefits, and
Inclusion in the Recognition Book
Newsletter spotlights
Invitations to exclusive de Tocqueville programs
$25,000 – $49,999 Maritz Circle
All Leadership Giving Society benefits, and
Inclusion in the Recognition Book
Newsletter spotlights
Invitations to exclusive de Tocqueville programs
Invitations to Executive Fireside Chats
$50,000 – $74,999 Chapman Circle
All Leadership Giving Society benefits, and
Inclusion in the Recognition Book
Newsletter spotlights
Invitations to exclusive de Tocqueville programs
Invitations to Executive Fireside Chats
Personalized Small Group Session: Exploring the Impact of Charitable Giving
$75,000 – $99,999 Diamond Circle
$100,000 – $249,999 de Tocqueville Circle
$250,000 – $499,999 Platinum Circle
$500,000 – $999,999 Half-Million Roundtable
$1,000,000+ Million Dollar Roundtable
All Leadership Giving Society benefits, and
Inclusion in the Recognition Book
Newsletter spotlights
Invitations to exclusive de Tocqueville programs
Invitations to Executive Fireside Chats
Personalized Small group Session: Exploring the Impact of Charitable Giving
Special designation in the Recognition Book
Private session: Creating your Philanthropic Strategy
de Tocqueville Society Benefits
$10,000 – $14,999 Member Circle $15,000 – $24,999 Silver Circle
All Leadership Giving Society benefits, and
Inclusion in the Recognition Book
Newsletter spotlights
Invitations to exclusive de Tocqueville programs
$25,000 – $49,999 Maritz Circle
All Leadership Giving Society benefits, and
Inclusion in the Recognition Book
Newsletter spotlights
Invitations to exclusive de Tocqueville programs
Invitations to Executive Fireside Chats
$50,000 – $74,999 Chapman Circle
All Leadership Giving Society benefits, and
Inclusion in the Recognition Book
Newsletter spotlights
Invitations to exclusive de Tocqueville programs
Invitations to Executive Fireside Chats
Personalized Small Group Session: Exploring the Impact of Charitable Giving
$75,000 – $99,999 Diamond Circle
$100,000 – $249,999 de Tocqueville Circle
$250,000 – $499,999 Platinum Circle
$500,000 – $999,999 Half-Million Roundtable
$1,000,000+ Million Dollar Roundtable
All Leadership Giving Society benefits, and
Inclusion in the Recognition Book
Newsletter spotlights
Invitations to exclusive de Tocqueville programs
Invitations to Executive Fireside Chats
Personalized Small group Session: Exploring the Impact of Charitable Giving
Special designation in the Recognition Book
Private session: Creating your Philanthropic Strategy
Step-Up Programs
Are you seeking to take the next step in your charitable giving journey? There are several ways to incrementally increase your giving level over a few years while immediately unlocking benefits through our Leadership Giving and de Tocqueville Societies.
We would be delighted to assist you in achieving your philanthropic objectives through our Step-Up Programs. To learn more, please contact our team at leadershipgiving@unitedwaystl.org or (314) 539-4065.
See Our Leadership Givers in Action
Our leadership societies welcome all individuals interested in supporting United Way at the leadership giving level of $1,000 or more annually.
Tax credits allow Missouri taxpayers to direct their state tax dollars to United Way of Greater St. Louis. To inquire about tax credit availability, email philanthropy@unitedwaystl.org.
Cy Pres Award
A Cy Pres award allows unclaimed or leftover funds from a class action settlement or legal judgment to be distributed to a nonprofit organization that serves an important public purpose or whose mission aligns with the original lawsuit. This ensures that the funds are used to support causes that benefit a broader community or advance a related cause. To learn more about Cy Pres Awards, click here.
Charitable Bequests
Your greatest gift is your legacy. There are many ways to make a charitable bequest. In fact, a bequest is one of the easiest gifts to make. When you create or update your will, trust, retirement plan or life insurance, you can name United Way as your beneficiary or contingent beneficiary.
Legal Name: United Way of Greater St. Louis Address:910 N. 11th St. St. Louis, MO 63101 Federal Tax ID Number: 43-0714167
If you need assistance with will planning, United Way of Greater St. Louis partners with FreeWill, a free online tool that guides you through the process of creating a will in just 20 minutes. Begin your legacy using FreeWill today.
Donating stockcan help you avoid capital gains tax and complement your annual gift. To proceed, provide your broker with written authorization, including the stock name, number of shares, and that the donation is for United Way of Greater St. Louis. Learn more about donating stock here.
United Way Life® program
The United Way Life® program offers a meaningful way to support United Way of Greater St. Louis. Your contributions to the premium payments are tax-deductible, with payments capped at five years. This program allows you to make a lasting impact in our communities while benefiting from immediate tax advantages.
Charitable Tax Deduction: Receive a tax deduction for contributions toward premium payments.
Ongoing Deductions: If United Way keeps the policy until maturity, you may qualify for additional deductions by continuing to fund the premiums.
Immediate Community Impact: If United Way cashes in the policy, you’ll witness the direct benefits of your support in action.
Future Community Support: If retained to maturity or if you name United Way of Greater St. Louis the beneficiary, the policy’s proceeds will be used to further United Way’s mission to improve lives in our communities.
Starting at age 73 the IRS mandates IRA owners to take annual income withdrawals, known as Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). Failure to take these withdrawals could subject IRA owners to stiff penalties.
Rather than being forced to take a distribution that can raise your taxable income, many donors use their RMDs to make a Qualified Charitable Deduction (QCD). A QCD excludes the amount donated from taxable income and may reduce the impact to certain tax credits and deductions, including Social Security and Medicare. Also, QCDs don’t require that you itemize on your taxes. There are certain requirements that must be met to use your RMD as a QCD, including:
You must be 70 ½ or older to be eligible to make a QCD.
At age 73 you are required to take a distribution from your retirement accounts.
QCDs are limited to the amount that would otherwise be taxed as ordinary income. This excludes non-deductible contributions.
The maximum annual amount that can qualify for a QCD is $100,000 for individuals and $200,000 for married couples.
For a QCD to count towards your current year’s RMD, the funds must come out of your IRA by your RMD deadline, generally December 31.
Charitable Gift Annuities
A charitable gift annuity (CGA) is a contract under which United Way of Greater St. Louis, in return for an irrevocable transfer of cash or other property, agrees to pay the annuitant(s) a lifetime income. The maximum number of annuitants is two, and payments can be made to them jointly or successively.
Benefits for Donors:
There are several tax advantages, including tax credits for charitable donations, which results in a lower income tax the year the donation was made.
Portions of each gift annuity payment are tax-free because they are considered a return on the original principal.
Annuities offer reliable, fixed income until a donor’s death.
Charitable Lead Trust
A charitable lead trust (CLT) is a gift of cash or other property to an irrevocable trust where United Way of Greater St. Louis receives an income stream from the trust for a term of years. After the income stream period ends, the remainder assets are distributed to the non-charitable beneficiaries.
Charitable Remainder Trust
A charitable remainder trust (CRT) is an irrevocable trust that generates a potential income stream for you, as the donor to the CRT, or other beneficiaries, with the remainder of the donated assets going to your favorite charity or charities.
