8/14/2020
Our entire United Way of Southeast Louisiana family, both past and present, is heartbroken over the passing of C. Allen Favrot. His legacy has forever changed the very core of not only our organization but countless others in the region.
Whether they know it or not, all of Southeast Louisiana will miss Mr. Allen. His service to the community improved the lives of tens of thousands of families over the course of two generations.
In a recent conversation with Flo Shorenstein, our Tocqueville Society Chair, she reminded me of Mr. Allen's tenacity and persistence. Flo said, "As a dear friend, loved-one, and colleague, Mr. Allen challenged each of us to do more, give more, and be more. He will always be remembered as a model of excellence in fundraising."
He made an indelible mark on United Way and the broader community as one of the kindest, hard-working, and most-generous individuals around. And while there are few others like him, the world could use more of his extraordinary spirit and aptitude for generating support for those who need it most.
It's fitting today to share a few more words on Mr. Allen from 2017 when our Tocqueville Society awarded him with its inaugural lifetime achievement award…
“When it comes to all-time greats in their respective fields, I look to Michael Jordan, Jack Nicklaus and C. Allen Favrot – in no particular order.
Few individuals measure up to C. Allen Favrot's reputation in the philanthropic community of New Orleans. He is truly a living legend, logging more than 65 years as a volunteer of the United Way and countless other nonprofits throughout the region.
It's hard to imagine spending one career with a single employer, much less two. But Mr. Allen has never wavered in his dedication to grow United Way's capacity to improve lives and make a lasting difference in Southeast Louisiana.
He has served in nearly every role on every imaginable United Way committee since holding his first leadership position in 1961, and set the mark as 1981 Campaign Chair leading the first annual effort to break the $10M threshold.
In 1985, Mr. Allen introduced the prestigious Tocqueville Society to Greater New Orleans in an effort to expand high-level personal giving to tackle our community's most serious issues. Our current Tocqueville membership includes more than 150 civic and philanthropic leaders who understand our community's challenges and want to be a part of the solution – all thanks to Mr. Allen.
More than 30 years after the inception of the group, Mr. Allen can be credited with a fundraising portfolio totaling in the tens of millions. And come this October, the United Way of Southeast Louisiana's Tocqueville Society will honor Mr. Allen with the Lifetime Achievement Award at its annual gala.
There is no singular person more deserving of the Society's inaugural lifetime achievement recognition than Mr. Allen. The fact is, there may never be another individual worthy of this remarkable honor. After all, he is the all-time greatest.
If you think this award marks an end to an illustrious career of service – think again. Just as he has done over the last six decades, his persistence will continue to be a fundamental key to the growth of our Tocqueville Society.
When he's in our offices, he's scouring the papers, business sections, industry magazines and phone books to round up new prospects. Some might call his style old school, but I consider it to be the standard by which all others are measured.
Few people can look back on a career of service that spans six decades. Even fewer can do so with the ability to say they affected real change in the lives of others. I wish I could find better words to describe his commitment and service to our United Way and the people of New Orleans. But, the truth is, he's C. Allen Favrot. The one and only.
Enough said.”
We will miss you, Mr. Allen, and will be forever grateful for our time together.
