For Tocqueville Society member Chris Dolan, supporting Greater Twin Cities United Way is deeply personal. Like many donors, his giving journey began with a payroll deduction through a workplace giving campaign at his first job. But his connection to our work began decades earlier.
A lifelong Minnesotan, Chris grew up in Saint Paul with his two brothers. They were raised by their grandmother, a feisty Irish woman who worked hard into her 90s to put the boys through Catholic school. With limited financial resources, the family relied heavily on community organizations fueled by United Way.
From the food shelves that made sure they had enough to eat to the senior program that gave his grandmother a place to connect and find resources to raise three rambunctious young boys — United Way was there. Past United Way partner organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters and Boy Scouts were critical to his ability to emerge from poverty and thrive.
“When I look back at my journey and how I got to where I am, behind so many of the organizations that touched my life was United Way,” said Chris. “We often hear about all the different nonprofits United Way supports, but my story is an example of how one individual’s life is impacted in so many ways by United Way and its partners.”
Chris shares that United Way’s profound impact on his life continued into adulthood when he and his husband, Ryan, adopted their daughter, Olivia, through Lutheran Social Services (LSS), at the time a funded nonprofit partner. While the adoption services are largely self-funded, LSS provided Olivia’s birth mother with essential support, social services and prenatal care with help from United Way.
Professionally, Chris became involved with United Way through Faegre Drinker, where he championed the workplace giving campaign starting in 2006. Initially he served as a floor captain, organizing events and encouraging giving, and later was asked to co-chair the campaign for the Minneapolis office. Throughout that experience he used his personal story to inspire giving, build community within the firm and connect colleagues with United Way’s mission.
Chris gives to United Way because he trusts the organization to do the work he doesn’t have time to do himself — evaluating needs, prioritizing impact and directing resources to where they will do the most good. He emphasizes United Way’s value goes beyond funding — it serves as a hub for community connection, collaboration, data-informed decision-making and system-level solutions toward a more prosperous community for everyone.
“If we want to have a successful environment for business in the Twin Cities, it has to start with having a strong community. That means having pathways for housing, education, food security and jobs — all the priorities that United Way supports,” said Chris. “It’s not just a commitment to give back. It is an investment in the future, for our community and our company.”
Over time Chris has deepened his commitment to Greater Twin Cities United Way, becoming a member of the Tocqueville Society. He is able to further amplify the impact of his donation thanks to a generous matching gift program through is employer, Faegre Drinker. He joined the board of directors about five years ago. Since then, he has chaired the community impact committee, served on the executive committee and currently acts as board secretary.
When asked what inspires his philanthropy, Chris shares that he thinks about community and how those with resources and those without are so interdependent upon each other.
“I consider the needs of the community I live in and what organizations are able to meet those needs to build a stronger community,” said Chris. “I also think about my own journey and what organizations have been critical to me rising out of poverty, having success and being able to give back to those organizations.”
As a Tocqueville Society member, Chris values being part of a community of like-minded donors who share common goals and values. He finds giving alongside others strengthens his own commitment and reinforces the collective impact of philanthropy.
“I hope we develop a new generation of philanthropists committed to engaging with United Way and seeing themselves as integral to the community — including their family, business and social interests.” said Chris. “I hope they recognize the importance of United Way in strengthening our community and something special we have. If anything, the ICE surge reminded us of our amazing community and the need to protect and strengthen it.”
