CINCINNATI (July 27, 2022) — When Tocqueville Society members Gail and Steve Moore discuss why United Way of Greater Cincinnati earns their trust and their dollars, they use terms such as “forward thinking” and “return on investment.”

When Tocqueville Society members Gail and Steve Moore discuss why United Way of Greater Cincinnati earns their trust and their dollars, they use terms such as “forward thinking” and “return on investment.”

Those terms reflect the business mindsets of a couple who retired from Procter & Gamble after highly successful careers at the Cincinnati-based consumer goods giant. Gail was a human resources director; Steve was an R&D leader in charge of product development and innovation in multiple product categories.

“United Way is forward thinking by exploring how to make a step-level change in the community to make it a better place for all,” Gail says. “Of course we want (people’s) daily needs to be met. But at the same time, doing the same thing and expecting anything different was not going to work. Systemic change is really exciting to me.”

The goal, of course, is systemic change that improves people’s lives. Such a return on investment, Steve says, hinges on “being thoughtful about what’s working, what’s not, how you get better, where you invest. That’s why I like (United Way’s) investment message,” which recently laid out a new systems-change approach that invests in a diverse portfolio of 86 community partners.

While excited about United Way’s new approach, the Moores have been staunch supporters of the organization for decades. Both were introduced to United Way at P&G. It’s also where they met each other, at a diversity workshop.

Early in life, both learned the importance of serving others. Gail, a Cincinnati native, says her grandparents volunteered with Catholic social-service agencies, and she often accompanied her grandmother to St. Aloysius Orphanage and St. Rita School for the Deaf. Steve, who was raised a Catholic in Missouri, says giving back to the community “was an expectation.”

As their careers blossomed, they became more deeply involved with United Way. Gail visited partner agencies and saw firsthand the impact of donor dollars. Meanwhile, Steve encouraged smaller companies and their employees to enroll in United Way campaigns.

The Moores continue to give to United Way through P&G’s retiree program.

“We worked hard for our money,” Steve says. “We were fortunate. We understand we’re privileged. We want to give back, but you want that give-back to show returns.”

Which is why they have embraced United Way’s systems-change approach. They understand such change often is not immediate. But they are confident UWGC President and CEO Moira Weir has charted a path for success.

“I’ve worked with her and consulted with her,” Gail says. “I understand and I know her passion. She is focused on the right thing. It’s important for our community right now to focus on economic well-being.” 

Steve likens United Way’s systems-change efforts to the flywheel effect, a business term for relatively modest wins that accumulate over time, creating momentum that leads to a breakthrough. For United Way, it’s about creating momentum that transforms the community so everyone thrives.

• Gail: “I started at P&G as a high school co-op secretary. I worked my way up to be a director of HR.”
• Steve: “In college, I got a very sophisticated international scholarship. It had the initials IHOP – International House of Pancakes – which is right on the Francis Quadrangle at the University of Missouri. If not for working at IHOP, I wouldn’t have been able to pay my way through school.”