As a longtime member of United Way’s Tocqueville Society, Kevin McGinty has made leadership giving and community engagement cornerstones of his personal and professional life. For more than three decades at Mintz, Kevin has combined a distinguished legal career with a deep commitment to philanthropy, inspiring others at the firm to follow his example. “Working at a place that values community is important to me,” Kevin said. “Mintz is a firm with a strong commitment to community engagement.”  

Kevin’s belief in giving back is rooted in his own upbringing. Growing up in a household of one in six kids with limited means, Kevin was exposed early on to the challenges families face to get by in the world. His dad worked for the state and his mom was a teacher before staying home to care for Kevin and his five siblings. “My parents never asked for help, although at times I wish they had,” Kevin reflected. “It gave me an appreciation for what charitable organizations can do to help families.” When Kevin reached a position in life where he was financially stable, he was eager to give back and help others.   

Mintz’s longstanding partnership with United Way created a natural pathway for Kevin and his wife, Sue, to get involved. Kevin and Sue have been longtime Tocqueville Society members, giving at leadership levels through Mintz’s workplace campaign.  At one point, Kevin was asked to run the firm’s campaign. “It felt to me that if you really believe in the mission and you want others to believe in the mission, you have to put your money where your mouth is,” Kevin said. “I made an effort to increase giving every year to give significant support to an organization I care about. And I am lucky enough to have the means to do that.” Kevin’s example of leadership giving continued to inspire others at the firm, demonstrating the importance of committed philanthropy and community engagement for his colleagues. 

When asked to reflect on what aspect of United Way’s work was most compelling, Kevin offered a unique perspective. “I consider United Way as a charitable mutual fund,” Kevin said. “It is a way to invest philanthropically by supporting a broad spectrum of needs.” His involvement with the allocations process and speaking to member agencies gives him a high level of confidence about the impact that United Way makes across the region.  

Beyond financial support as a grantmaking agency, Kevin values United Way’s role in strengthening the nonprofit ecosystem through coordination, consultation, leadership development, and accountability. “The things that agencies need to do to be UW partners make them better organizations,” Kevin explained. “That function is extraordinarily important.”  

Looking ahead, Kevin sees both urgent needs and opportunities for Massachusetts. He points to the housing affordability crisis as one of the most pressing challenges facing families today, noting that many young people are leaving the state in search of a more sustainable cost of living. At the same time, he emphasizes the importance of engaging the next generation in philanthropy. “Philanthropy opens people’s eyes,” Kevin said. “It’s a way to connect people and build stronger communities for the future.”