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Author: Meg Costa

1,000 Volunteers Will Support Early Literacy by Reading to 13,000 Students

Written by Meg Costa on . Posted in News & Updates.

For change-seekers in North Texas, finding the best way to make an impact can sometimes feel challenging. There are plenty of volunteer and donation opportunities in our community—but identifying those that will actually make a difference can take time. 

At United Way Reading Day presented by Atmos Energy, held Friday, March 6, in classrooms across North Texas, the impact of every volunteer and every donation is immediately clear. Each time a volunteer reads to a classroom full of eager students, and each time a donated book is presented to a child, you can see the spark of excitement in their eyes.  

That was the experience for Sylvia, a volunteer at last year’s event, who says the children’s enthusiasm made a lasting impression. 

“Being in the classroom was amazing,” she said. “The children were so interactive. They asked questions, paid attention and were genuinely excited about the story. It was such a good feeling to be there with them.” 

This is the type of impact you can make by volunteering for United Way Reading Day. This year, the beloved tradition will once again bring together more than 1,000 volunteers to read to over 13,000 students in 1,000 elementary classrooms across North Texas. We invite anyone who is passionate about the region’s future to share their love of reading and help inspire a new generation of learners. 

Read on to learn more about the impact of Reading Day and why you should get involved. 

We Can All Work Together to Improve Early Literacy 

Reading Day is a uniquely fun and inspiring day, when individuals just like you get to spark a love of reading in local students. But the impact of the event goes well beyond that day. As a key part of our Aspire United Volunteer Series presented by Texas Instruments, Reading Day is a unique volunteer opportunity that enables supporters to have a direct impact on early literacy, which is foundational to the success of our region as a whole. 

Research indicates that by the end of third grade, 74% of struggling readers won’t ever catch up. That’s why it’s so important for children to have literacy opportunities and exposure as early as possible. Reading Day is just one way that we can expose students to fun reading experiences, together. 

The annual event directly supports our Aspire United 2030 goal to increase by 50% the number of North Texas students reading on grade level by third grade. This is a key milestone in every student’s life, because research shows that after third grade, most learning—up to 85%—is done by reading. When a child can read proficiently, they are equipped to grow their learning and skills over time, across all subjects.   

As a result, early literacy is foundational to long-term success in all three of our focus areas—education, income and health. Children who develop strong reading skills early are better prepared to learn, thrive and contribute as adults.  

Research shows the connection between education and other key areas: 

  • Children who enter school ready to learn are more likely to read proficiently by third grade.  
  • College graduates can earn $36,000 more a year, enabling them to save for the future. 
  • Financially stable adults can access quality healthcare for themselves and their families.  

By encouraging early reading as a community, together we can advance our mission to create access and opportunity for all North Texans to thrive.  

Last Year’s Reading Day Impacted 15,000 Students 

During our Centennial Anniversary Reading Day, we united with volunteers from across our community to make meaningful change—together:  

  • More than 1,000 classrooms participated 
  • 1,000 volunteers read to local students 
  • 15,000 scholars discovered beloved children’s books from the last 100 years, in honor of our Centennial Anniversary 
  • 47 elementary campuses celebrated across 12 school districts 
  • 2,900 literacy kits were prepared by our corporate partners 
  • 5,000 books were donated to local schools 

In addition to thousands of dedicated volunteers, we were also honored to welcome last year’s honorary Reading Day chair, Charlotte Jones, chief brand officer and co-owner of the Dallas Cowboys. We appreciate Charlotte for supporting early literacy in North Texas and for helping to bring attention to this great cause.  

We’re Launching into Our Second Century of Impact 

At this year’s event, volunteers will share engaging, future-focused books designed to inspire imagination, confidence, and a love of learning. 

This year’s Reading Day theme—the future and its endless possibilities—aligns with the start of our next 100 years, as well as the promise and potential of the road ahead for local students.  

Reading Proficiency in North Texas 

Our main Aspire United 2030 education goal is to increase by 50% the number of students reading on grade level by third grade. We’re proud to report that thanks to your support we are on track, with recent data showing that third-grade reading proficiency has jumped more than 15% in our service area.  

Our community wide Aspire United 2030 goals are our set of 10-year benchmarks guiding our impact in the areas of education, income and health now through 2030. Together with our independent external evaluator, the Parkland Center for Clinical Innovation (PCCI), we closely track progress toward our Aspire United 2030 community goals.   

Support Early Literacy in North Texas 

Ready to make a difference right here in our community? Here are three ways you can support early literacy: 

  1. Volunteer: Sign up as a Reading Day volunteer, and read to a classroom of elementary students on Friday, March 6. Hurry! Spots are filling up fast, and March 1 is the deadline to register. 
  1. Give: Make a donation to support programs like Once Upon a Month, which delivers age-appropriate children’s books to North Texas children every month to encourage language development and spark a love of reading. 
  1. Advocate: Join us in advocating for our legislative priorities, which include strengthening early literacy policies. Sign up for our Advocacy Alerts and Policy in Brief newsletter today. 

CBRE Supports Workforce Development through United Way’s Social Innovation Incubator

Written by Meg Costa on . Posted in News & Updates.

At United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, we’re proud of the impact of our corporate partnerships, which help enable us to change more than 1.7 million lives every year. 

One example of the power of partnership is CBRE’s Community Partner Program, a grant initiative focused on developing the workforce of tomorrow in major cities across the country, including Dallas. Since 2024, the initiative has provided vital funding to our Social Innovation Incubator program, enabling us to support local startups that are driving meaningful impact in our focus areas of education, income and health. 

Together, We’re Building the Workforce of Tomorrow 

CBRE, the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm, is dedicated to supporting workforce development within communities across the U.S. 

CBRE’s Community Partner Program focuses on identifying and funding workforce development programs that achieve the following goals: 

  • Provide mentorship to small and/or diverse-owned businesses 
  • Address barriers to employment 
  • Provide skills training, mentorship programs, vocational training, career transition programs, alternative education programs, career counseling, etc. 

The United Way of Metropolitan Dallas Social Innovation Incubator fits the bill by providing professional mentoring to startup social innovation organizations, many of which focus on improving North Texas’ workforce and expanding the pipeline of living-wage jobs. 

The Incubator Supports Grassroots Impact 

At United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, social innovation is at the core of our mission to improve access to education, income and health. Since the launch of our Social Innovation Accelerator, we’ve become a leader in this space, championing social entrepreneurs who deliver measurable results. 

Launched in 2022, our Social Innovation Incubator is a 14-week program tailored to early-stage social ventures. The Incubator is an innovative way to bridge gaps in opportunity and resources to supercharge local startups and drive transformative change. 

By partnering with early-stage innovators, the Incubator allows us to broaden our network of community impact partners whose work aligns with our Aspire United 2030 goals: 

  • Increasing third-grade reading proficiency 
  • Improving access to living-wage jobs 
  • Expanding enrollment in affordable, quality health insurance plans 

The Incubator is ideal for social entrepreneurs who are new to community impact work. The program equips participants with the tools necessary to create validated business plans and launch impactful ventures, cultivating a stronger community of social innovators across North Texas while also building a pipeline for our Accelerator program and fostering sustained growth and innovation. 

“We’re thrilled that CBRE has chosen the Social Innovation Incubator as a Community Partner Program grant recipient for the second year in a row,” said Frank Santoni, vice president of Innovation and Design at United Way of Metropolitan Dallas. “Thanks to the support of corporate partners like CBRE, the Incubator is helping to build a stronger, more diverse network of social innovators in our community, which enables us to drive greater progress in our focus areas of education, income and health.” 

In just the last year, the impact of the Incubator and its participants has grown exponentially: 

  • 15 participants completed the program 
  • 100% graduation rate 
  • 226 hours of mentoring and coaching provided 
  • $85,000 invested in Incubator ventures 
  • 16,456 clients served by Incubator alumni 

Be Part of the Live United Movement 

Now is an exciting time to step up and be part of our community’s social innovation movement. We’re launching into our second century of service to North Texas, and together we can drive meaningful change by supporting social innovators who are making a grassroots impact in our community. 

We invite you to be a part of the change by supporting the Social Innovation Incubator, which in turn supports innovative organizations that are changing lives in their communities. Donate today to support our social innovation programs. 

Let’s Support Affordable, High-Quality Early Childhood Education in North Texas

Written by Meg Costa on . Posted in News & Updates.

At United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, we are focused on making our region the best place to live, work and raise a family. Early childhood education that supports North Texas families and our regional economy is an important component of our work.  

Because of our advocacy efforts in part, the Live United movement is helping drive real progress in early childhood education—but we know lasting change requires strong federal, state and local investments to expand quality, access and affordability. Here’s why. 

Access to high-quality, affordable early childhood education remains a critical barrier to work and economic stability for many North Texas families. When reliable childcare is unavailable or unaffordable, low-income working parents are often forced to reduce their work hours or leave the workforce altogether—heightening their risk of unemployment, housing instability and financial hardship. The national economy loses $57 billion annually when workers do not come to work because of lack of childcare. Texas loses nearly $10 billion each year as a result of parents leaving the workforce.  

The good news is that there is a bipartisan effort to increase public funding for early childhood education. Read on to learn how childcare is funded in Texas and to discover some of the current initiatives aimed at improving the early childhood education system. 

How is childcare publicly funded in Texas? 

The majority of public childcare funding in Texas comes from the federal Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), authorized by the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Act. CCDF dollars are used to: 

  • Provide childcare subsidies (known as “scholarships”) to low-income working families 
  • Improve childcare quality and safety 
  • Support workforce stability in the childcare sector 

Texas receives CCDF funds through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and administers them through the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). TWC manages the statewide Child Care Services (CCS) program, which provides childcare scholarships. Local Workforce Development Boards administer those funds to local Workforce Solutions Offices, which partner with childcare resource and referral agencies, Headstart and childcare providers to help eligible parents find quality care in their community while working, in school or in training.   

Who receives childcare scholarships? What are the eligibility criteria?  

To receive publicly funded childcare in Texas, families must generally: 

  • Have income below 85% of state median income (about $92,000 annually for a family of four)  
  • Be working, in school, in job training or on an approved job search 
  • Have a child under 13 (or under 18 with a disability) 

Eligible parents receive a scholarship that is paid directly to the childcare provider.  Families pay a co-payment based on income.  These childcare scholarships can be used at licensed centers, home-based providers and faith-based programs.  

Texas provides limited ongoing state general revenue to expand childcare scholarships. As a result, there are large, persistent waitlists, exceeding 90,000 children across the state. Around 9,000 children are on the waitlist in North Texas.  

During the pandemic, Texas received large onetime federal childcare relief investments, most of which expired in 2024. More sustained funding is needed to meet the unmet need and reduce the number of eligible families on the waiting list.  

What has been the state response?  

During the 89th Texas Legislative Session, United Way prioritized access to affordable, high-quality childcare and early childhood programs that resulted in a historic $100 million investment for more childcare scholarships, which would move eligible low-income working families off the waitlist.  

Gov. Greg Abbott recently launched an 11-member Taskforce on Early Childhood Education and Care to improve childcare quality, access and affordability for Texas families and address inefficiencies in the childcare regulatory system. When announcing the taskforce, Gov. Abbott said, “The real reason why we passed this bill…is because of the importance of helping parents across the entire state be able to access quality and affordable childcare and child education for their children.”   

The state also plans to establish a Quad-Agency Child Care Initiative to bring together TWC and the Health and Human Services Commission, Department of Family Protective Services and Texas Education Agency to review and streamline regulations that would impact childcare programs.   

What has been the local response? 

Across the country, cities and counties have successfully organized voter-approved ballot measures, generating more than $542 million annually in dedicated public funding for early childhood programs, including a landmark initiative in Travis County (Austin) led by United Way of Greater Austin. Travis County approved a 2.5-cent property tax that provides affordable childcare and youth services that will generate approximately $75 million annually to fund services for infants, toddlers and children in low-income families. 

In Dallas County, there is an emerging exploratory initiative to pursue a childcare and out-of-school time investment. This investment could generate $120 million in public funds annually, through a modest 3-cent property tax rate increase. This initiative is designed to expand access to quality, affordable care, strengthen the workforce by supporting parent employment and stable childcare staffing, and promote long-term family economic mobility. 

How is United Way supporting public funding for early childhood education? 

United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, in collaboration with regional partners, is exploring a proposed public funding investment in childcare and out-of-school time in North Texas that could appear on the November 2026 ballot for voter approval. This Dallas County initiative aims to expand access to quality, affordable childcare—strengthening families, supporting working parents and building long-term economic stability. 

Advocate With Us 

We invite you to stay connected to learn how you can support this public investment that will benefit working families and boost our regional and national economies.  

For further information, please email Hillary Evans, vice president of Policy and Advocacy at United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, at hevans@unitedwaydallas.org. 

Extreme Cold Is Headed to North Texas. Here’s How to Stay Safe.

Written by Meg Costa on . Posted in News & Updates.

An arctic blast is expected to bring dangerously cold temperatures and winter precipitation to North Texas this weekend. Our region has a high risk of snow and ice, which may create hazardous travel conditions and prompt road closures. 

State agencies are currently monitoring the power grid and natural gas supply as the storm system begins to move across the state. Gov. Greg Abbott has activated state emergency resources beginning Thursday, Jan. 22. 

Winter storms can be deadly, and we encourage all North Texans to prepare for extreme cold, snow and ice to protect themselves and their families. Our team at United Way of Metropolitan Dallas has compiled a list of local resources and tips that can help support you during this potentially dangerous weather event. 

How to Prepare for Winter Storms and Extreme Cold 

  • Create an emergency kit with winter-specific items, including: 
    • Rock salt or other EPA-recommended products to melt ice on walkways 
    • Sand or kitty litter to improve your vehicle’s traction 
    • Shovels or other snow removal equipment 
    • Alternate heating solutions, such as dry, seasoned firewood if you have a fireplace or wood-burning stove (Use caution and ventilation with space heater sources!) 
    • Adequate clothing and blankets to keep warm 
  • Locate your home’s water supply shut-off so you are prepared to turn off the water in case your pipes burst. 
  • Bring pets/companion animals inside during winter weather. Move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas with non-frozen drinking water. 
  • Make a family communications plan. Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to know how you will contact one another, how you will get back together and what you will do in case of an emergency. 
  • Consider purchasing a NOAA Weather Radio, which broadcasts alerts and warnings directly from the National Weather Service for all hazards, or sign up to receive notifications from your local emergency services, such as the Dallas Police Department.  
  • Weatherize your homes by insulating your windows. Weatherize your vehicles by following your car’s maintenance guide and using winter or all-weather tires. 
  • Minimize travel. If travel is necessary, keep a disaster supplies kit in your vehicle. Consider including items such as winter boots, additional clothing layers, kitty litter (which improves your vehicle’s traction if you get stuck in snow or ice), extra food and water, and a small shovel.

How to Stay Safe During Winter Storms and Extreme Cold 

  • Stay indoors if possible. 
  • Move carefully on snowy or icy walkways. 
  • Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow. 
  • Stay dry. Wet clothing loses its insulating value and transmits heat rapidly. 
  • Watch for frostbite, which occurs when the skin and body tissue beneath it freezes.  
    • Symptoms: Loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in extremities—such as fingers, toes, earlobes, face and nose. 
    • What to do: Cover exposed skin, but do not rub the affected area in an attempt to warm it up. Seek immediate medical help. 
  • Prevent hypothermia, which occurs when your body temperature drops to a dangerous level (below 95 degrees Fahrenheit). 
    • Symptoms: Uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness and apparent exhaustion. 
    • What to do: Get to a warm location. Remove wet clothing. Warm the center of the body first by wrapping in warm, dry blankets or clothing. Drink warm, non-alcoholic beverages if conscious. Seek immediate medical help. 
  • During snow and ice storms, drive only if necessary. Travel during the day or keep others informed of your schedule. Stay on main roads and avoid back road shortcuts. 
  • During freezing temperatures, you can minimize the risk of burst water pipes by keeping kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors open and leaving faucets on a slow drip. 
  • If pipes freeze, remove any insulation or layers of newspapers and wrap pipes in rags. Open all faucets and pour hot water over the pipes, starting where they were most exposed to the cold (or where the cold was most likely to penetrate). 
  • Maintain ventilation when using kerosene heaters to avoid build-up of toxic fumes. Refuel kerosene heaters outside and keep them at least 3 feet from flammable objects. Please note: Never use generators, grills or camp stoves indoors. Make sure your home is equipped with a carbon monoxide detector. 
  • Conserve fuel, if necessary, by keeping your residence cooler than normal. Temporarily close off heat to some rooms. 
  • If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit. 

 

Find a Local Warming Center 

During extreme cold, local officials open and operate warming centers for people who lose power or are experiencing homelessness. If you lose heat and/or power for several hours or have insufficient supplies to keep warm, consider sheltering elsewhere.  

  • Listen to local news or authorities for shelter information or instructions. 
  • View a map of warming centers and shelters here. 
  • To find the nearest public shelter in your area, text SHELTER + your ZIP code to 43362 (4FEMA) - (e.g., SHELTER20472).
  • Bring any personal items that you would need to spend the night (such as toiletries and medicines). Take precautions when traveling to the shelter. Dress warmly in layers, wear boots, mittens and a hat. 
  • Protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia by wearing warm, loose-fitting, lightweight clothing in several layers. Stay indoors, if possible. 

 

Additional Cold Weather Preparedness Resources 

  • Dial 2-1-1 for expert help and connection to local community resources. 
  • View the City of Dallas Winter Weather Preparedness website here. 
  • View the City of Dallas Winter Weather Operations Plan here. 

North Texas CEOs Come Together to Explore the Future of Our Region

Written by Meg Costa on . Posted in News & Updates.

As we close the final chapter of of our Centennial anniversary year and turn our focus toward the future, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas’ CEO Advisory Council is launching the next century of impact.

Hosted by Texas Instruments (TI) at its Richardson manufacturing facility, the December advisory council meeting brought together nearly 20 chief executives representing some of the region’s most influential companies and institutions. It was our largest CEO Advisory Council convening to date—a testament to the momentum we are building together, and to the unique role United Way plays in uniting business leaders around shared purpose and measurable impact.

A warm thank you to the chief executives who attended:

CEO Advisory Council Co-Chairs

  • Jim Burke, President and CEO, Vistra
  • Curt Farmer, Chairman, President and CEO, Comerica Bank
  • Haviv Ilan, Chairman, President and CEO, Texas Instruments

CEO Advisory Council Members

  • Antonio Carrillo, President and CEO, Arcosa
  • Jay Hartzell, President, SMU
  • Robert Kaplan, Vice Chairman, Goldman Sachs
  • Michael Levy, CEO, Crow Holdings
  • Lorie Logan, President and CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
  • Alok Maskara, President and CEO, Lennox International
  • Peter Matt, President and CEO, Commercial Metals Company
  • Prabhas Moghe, President, UT Dallas
  • Ross Perot, Jr., Chairman, Hillwood
  • Scott Richardson, Chairman and CEO, Celanese Corporation
  • Brint Ryan, Chairman and CEO, Ryan LLC
  • Jennifer Sampson, McDermott-Templeton President and CEO, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas
  • Jean Savage, President and CEO, Trinity Industries
  • John Stankey, CEO, AT&T
  • Sam Susser, Chairman and CEO, Susser Bank
  • Rich Templeton, Retired Chairman, Texas Instruments

It was an honor to have Rich Templeton, the recently retired Chairman of TI, join us as he closed out 45 remarkable years at TI.

This Council is truly one-of-a-kind in North Texas. It is a powerful forum where top corporate leaders engage directly with United Way’s leadership to advise on philanthropic strategy, explore emerging community needs and shape solutions that strengthen our region for generations to come, as we all work together to improve access to education, income and health.

From a Century of Impact to a Future of Possibility

Opening the meeting, Jim Burke, President and CEO of Vistra and incoming United Way of Metropolitan Annual Campaign chair, reflected on the significance of the moment. Burke succeeds Steven Williams, CEO of PepsiCo North America, who led a record-breaking Centennial campaign that delivered unprecedented, unrestricted resources for North Texas.

“With almost 20 CEOs in the room, this is our largest CEO Council convening yet,” Burke said. “That alone says something about the momentum we’re building together.”

Burke emphasized that United Way’s Centennial was never meant to be a single moment in time—it was designed as a long-term platform for impact creation. Thanks to extraordinary corporate and individual leadership, the Centennial year delivered significant philanthropic value for North Texas, including major gifts and grants and new endowment commitments.

“This is what it looks like when the business community shows up together with purpose,” Burke said.

He also recognized Haviv Ilan and TI for hosting the gathering and for the company’s nearly century-long role in shaping North Texas as a global innovation hub, as well as Antonio Carrillo of Arcosa, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas Board Chair, for his steady board leadership throughout the Centennial year.

A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Innovation—and Partnership

Texas Instruments Chairman, president and CEO Haviv Ilan welcomed Council members to TI’s Richardson facility, underscoring the deep and longstanding partnership between TI and United Way.

Texas Instruments Chairman, president and CEO Haviv Ilan welcomes CEO Council members to TI’s Richardson facility.

For almost 70 years, United Way has worked closely with TI to create meaningful impact across North Texas, with an emphasis on volunteerism, powering STEM initiatives and fundraising to fuel our impact in education, income and health. (Read our recent blog to learn more about TI’s incredible legacy of volunteerism and watch the TI volunteer video recap here: Aspire United Volunteer Series Video presented by TI ).

“We are proud of the connection between TI and United Way—it runs deep in our history and is strong in our culture,” Ilan said. “This connection is rooted in our long-standing commitment to build stronger communities and be a company that people are proud to have as a neighbor.”

As part of the convening, Council members received a behind-the-scenes look at TI’s semiconductor manufacturing operations, led by Mohammad Yunus, senior vice president of technology and manufacturing. The experience offered not only a primer on semiconductor manufacturing—playfully dubbed “Chips 101”—but also a tangible example of how global innovation will create opportunities for our future North Texas workforce.

Throughout the afternoon, a common theme emerged: when companies invest locally, align with community partners, and collaborate across sectors, the result is stronger talent pipelines, healthier communities and a more resilient regional economy.

Workforce as a Shared Imperative

For Burke, workforce development is a personal and professional priority—and one that sits at the heart of United Way’s strategy.

“At Vistra, United Way isn’t simply a philanthropic partner—it’s a strategic partner,” he said. “Our partnership opens doors for people who otherwise may never have access to the education, skills training, or support systems that lead to real, long-term opportunity.”

Burke highlighted United Way’s Pathways to Work initiative as a powerful example of what’s possible when business and community partners work together. Over the past decade, Pathways to Work has helped thousands of North Texans earn industry-recognized credentials that lead to living-wage careers, thanks to early investments from companies including PepsiCo, Caterpillar, Arcosa, Celanese, Trinity Industries and Beck Group.

But training alone is not enough.

“The training pipeline only works if there are jobs on the other end,” Burke said. “We have North Texas talent right here, ready to work, with the skills we need. Let’s hire them.”

Pathways to Work will be a central focus of Burke’s Annual Campaign chairmanship, reinforcing the connection between corporate investment and community mobility.

Launching the Next Century of Impact

Closing the meeting, Curt Farmer, chairman, president and CEO of Comerica Incorporated and Comerica Bank and co-chair of the CEO Advisory Council, reflected on the Council’s origins and its growing influence.

“When Jennifer and I launched this CEO Council, we wanted to create something lasting—a room where CEOs could learn from each other and leave with something valuable,” Farmer said. “Seeing nearly 20 of you here today tells me it’s working.”

Farmer framed United Way’s first 100 years as both an achievement and a launchpad. With deep relationships, trusted data and proven solutions, United Way is prepared to deliver impact at scale across North Texas.

“We’ve already seen what bold leadership looks like,” Farmer said, referencing the Centennial celebration where Rich and Mary Templeton received the J. Erik Jonsson Award—the highest honor United Way of Metropolitan Dallas bestows upon a volunteer—followed by the announcement of a $25 million gift from TI executives, past and present, in their honor. (Read more about this historic moment.) “When leaders have aligned energy and shared purpose, our impact doesn’t just add up—it multiplies.”

An Invitation to Lead—Together

As United Way embarks on its second century of service, the CEO Advisory Council will play an increasingly vital role in shaping the future of our region—helping ensure that business leadership remains deeply connected to community progress.

If you are a corporate leader interested in partnering with United Way of Metropolitan Dallas—through workforce development, strategic philanthropy, or broader community impact—we invite you to contact us to explore what’s possible.

Together, we can turn leadership into action—and action into lasting impact for North Texas.

What Happens to North Texans if Health Insurance Subsidies Expire Next Month?

Written by Meg Costa on . Posted in News & Updates.

Open enrollment is happening now for 2026 health insurance plans, and around 24 million Americans are currently shopping for coverage. Unfortunately, many of these folks—including millions of Texans—are probably going to be paying more for their health insurance next year, unless Congress acts within the next few weeks to extend existing subsidies for plans through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). 

At United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, we’re strong supporters of expanded healthcare access. That’s because access to healthcare coverage enables our North Texas neighbors to live longer, healthier lives. In fact, one of our Aspire United 2030 community goals is to increase to 96% the number of North Texans with access to affordable healthcare insurance—because access to quality and affordable healthcare directly impacts our three focus areas: education, income and health.   

In this blog, we take a look at what the ACA subsidies are, why they are set to expire and what will happen if they do. 

What are the ACA subsidies? 

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) expands health insurance access by providing premium tax credits that help reduce the cost of coverage for individuals and families who purchase insurance through the federal Health Insurance Marketplace.

During the COVID-19 public health emergency, Congress enhanced these subsidies, both increasing the amount of financial assistance available and expanding eligibility to people with higher incomes. These improvements made coverage more affordable for millions of Americans and led to a significant increase in health insurance enrollment nationwide.

Why are the subsidies expiring? 

These enhancements are scheduled to end at the end of 2025 unless Congress enacts new legislation. That means all 24 million Americans who buy their insurance through the ACA Exchange are going to see their costs go up at least somewhat.  

How will people be impacted? 

If enhanced subsidies expire, many people will pay significantly higher premiums. The average premium will double, but some enrollees could pay up to four times their previous amount. That’s because middle-income people who currently pay a capped share of income could lose that protection and see huge increases out of pocket.  

Who would be affected?  

About 22 to 24 million Americans get ACA marketplace insurance with these tax credits; most will face higher costs if credits expire. Some people could become uninsured entirely if premiums become unaffordable. Estimates suggest that millions of Americans might drop coverage because it’s simply too expensive.  

In Texas, the enhanced subsidies have made a big difference in recent years, encouraging a record number of people to purchase coverage. In 2024, nearly 3.4 million Texans enrolled in a health plan through the Marketplace—nearly double the number from just a few years before.  

Although enrollment had increased in the last few years, many states still had a large share of uninsured residents. Even with the expanded subsidies, around 8% of Americans—or 26 million people—lack health insurance. In Texas, we have the lowest healthcare enrollment rates in the nation, with 21.6% of all residents not enrolled in healthcare coverage. That includes nearly 14% of Texas children, compared to 6% nationally, who are uninsured.   

What does this mean for North Texans?  

For our neighbors from lower-income households, increased healthcare costs will have a ripple effect. North Texans are already struggling with increased prices for food, housing and daily essentials. If health insurance premiums spike, we are likely to see an increase in food insecurity—which our neighbors are already struggling with—as well as other challenging situations like evictions.  

Meanwhile, higher premiums and loss of coverage could destabilize insurance markets nationwide and put greater strain on hospitals and the healthcare system. 

What’s next?  

Congress has been debating whether to extend the subsidies. Republicans continue to focus on alternatives that would direct assistance into Health Savings Accounts, while Democrats are pushing for a clean extension during open enrollment. Yet without White House involvement, this is shaping up to be a partisan exercise in which both parties put forward their own plan and neither gets 60 votes.  

Together, We Can Expand Access to Healthcare 

Here’s the good news about health insurance in Texas: Enrollment in ACA plans has more than doubled since 2020, and our state has one of the highest rates of enrollment growth for the last three years. That’s proof that Texans want access to affordable, quality insurance. 

Over the last several years, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas’ Healthcare Navigators initiative has been one key to expanding healthcare access in North Texas. Our team of Navigators assists uninsured North Texans as they compare and enroll in plans through the Health Insurance Marketplace, CHIP or Medicaid. Navigators also work with individuals to get them signed up for all eligible subsidies, saving many North Texans hundreds of dollars every month.  

Navigating the Health Insurance Marketplace or applying for CHIP or Medicaid can be confusing and stressful. Many people avoid signing up for health insurance because the process is overwhelming or they have language barriers. With the subsidy changes likely taking effect next month, initiatives like Healthcare Navigators will be more important than ever.  

Each year, our certified enrollment experts assist tens of thousands of North Texans, helping more people access the health coverage necessary to thrive. In the last year, the Navigators had a significant impact on our community, fielding 21,000 client inquiries, assisting 7,680 individuals as they signed up for CHIP/Medicaid and supporting 2,316 consumers as they enrolled in a qualified health plan. 

If you or someone you know would benefit from support in signing up for health insurance, reach out to our Healthcare Navigators today to get started. 

Speak Up for Extending Healthcare Subsidies 

Join us in advocating for an extension to the ACA subsidies. Use this online mobilization to contact your elected officials to extend the enhanced premium tax credits. 

Texas Instruments and United Way: A Legacy of Volunteerism That Builds a Stronger North Texas

Written by Meg Costa on . Posted in News & Updates.

For more than six decades, Texas Instruments (TI) and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas have had a powerful partnership rooted in a shared belief: When a community thrives, everyone thrives. Each year, TI employees and retirees rally together in one of North Texas’ largest and most impactful workplace campaigns—volunteering, giving and helping create lasting change for families across the region.

“Our partnership with Texas Instruments represents the value of corporate citizenship. TI doesn’t just operate in our community—they help build it, strengthen it and ensure it thrives for generations to come,” said Jennifer Sampson, McDermott-Templeton president and CEO of United Way of Metropolitan Dallas. “Their transformative vision supports our joint mission to build up our communities, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Each year, they create hope—giving hands-on support to our work, as well as financial contributions that drives impact.”

During our Centennial anniversary year, TI made a historic impact. During its 2025 campaign, TI employees and retirees collectively raised $8.5 million for United Way of Metropolitan Dallas. Additionally, TIers logged more than 3,600 volunteer hours and participated in 75 volunteer events that strengthened neighborhoods and supported families.

TI’s longstanding commitment goes beyond their workplace giving campaign and volunteer programs. The TI Foundation has also made grants to several United Way initiatives that advance education, income and health, such as the Data Capacity Building Initiative and Heal Play Learn. Their investment and hands-on engagement help fuel programs that improve communities today while laying the groundwork for a brighter future.

Driving Impact, One Volunteer at a Time

In honor of United Way’s Centennial Anniversary in 2025, TI also partnered closely with United Way of Metropolitan Dallas to launch the Aspire United Volunteer Series presented by Texas Instruments. Kicking off in spring 2024 with a historic Reading Day that brought together more than 1,200 volunteers who read to nearly 20,000 students across North Texas, the series engaged thousands of volunteers over the past few years.

Watch TI’s impact through their support of the Aspire United Volunteer Series:

“At TI, being a good neighbor is essential to who we are. I take pride in seeing our employees volunteer in the community, putting our shared ambitions and values into action. That’s why sponsoring the Aspire United Volunteer Series during United Way’s Centennial year made such sense for us—it brought thousands of volunteers, including those from other companies, together to create meaningful change,” said Andy Smith, director of Giving and Volunteering at Texas Instruments and executive director of the TI Foundation.

How TI Helps Create a Stronger North Texas

TI’s partnership with United Way fuels high-impact programs that clearly make a measurable difference:

Reading Day 2024 and 2025

  • 10,000 books donated
  • 35,000+ students positively impacted

Stock the School

  • Support provided to 3,375+ students and educators
  • 1,000+ backpacks distributed

STEM Fest

  • 1,800 students experienced a full day of hands-on STEM activities

Food & Health Resource Fair (2024)

  • 1,000 families received 60 pounds of groceries each
  • ~2,000 individuals accessed health screenings and services

Jungle Bells (December 2024)

  • 5,000+ North Texans supported
  • 40 partner organizations delivered critical resources

Thriving Communities (April 2025)

  • 65 trees planted at the Willie B. Johnson Recreation Center in the historic Hamilton Park neighborhood
  • 500+ volunteers engaged

Summer Meals

  • 670+ hot meals served
  • 400 produce boxes/bags distributed to families

These programs not only meet immediate needs but also help build long-term pathways to education, stability and wellbeing.

Launching Into Our Second Century of Impact—Together

As we wrap up our Centennial Year, TI’s commitment ensures that the next century of impact begins with strong momentum for our next century of work. Their leadership in volunteerism, philanthropy and community engagement continues to uplift thousands of children, families and neighborhoods across North Texas.

Through generosity, partnership and a shared belief in the power of community, TI and United Way are working side-by-side to build a region where every North Texan can thrive.

 

United Way of Dallas and Other Local Organizations Continue Fighting Food Insecurity as Federal Government Reopens and SNAP Benefits are Restored

Written by Meg Costa on . Posted in News & Updates.

Although the longest ever government shutdown is over and the federal government is funded through January, a variety of factors still threaten food security for North Texans this winter.  

New work requirements, which went into effect November 1, along with other SNAP restrictions and requirements, could impede food access to hundreds of thousands of individuals and families who rely on these benefits. During the implementation of these new requirements and other restrictions, it will be critical to understand what is required to avoid any further disruption of these critical benefits.  

Read on to learn more about the state of hunger in North Texas and how United Way of Metropolitan Dallas is working to improve food security across our region. 

Food Insecurity Is Impacting North Texas Families 

The reduction in SNAP funding is especially challenging in Texas, which is the second most food insecure state in the nation, with nearly 5.1 million Texans at risk of hunger. One in six households in the Lone Star State experiences food insecurity. Many of these folks rely on SNAP benefits to bridge the gap between paychecks, get them through a financial emergency, supplement low wages and simply make ends meet.  

In Dallas County alone, 416,000 people rely on SNAP benefits. Across the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas service area, up to 10% of households receive SNAP benefits.  

Feeding America’s “Elevating Voices: Insights Report,” released earlier this fall, provides a snapshot of the reality of hunger in the United States. A majority surveyed fell between the ages of 30-44, live in metropolitan areas of the South, and are White homeowners. Survey respondents referenced high costs of food continuing to strain household budgets, causing 52% to run out of food in the last year and 28% to run out of food in the last month. 

Hunger takes a significant toll on both physical and mental health and can be particularly harmful for our youngest Texans. That’s why improving food security is key to our mission to expand access to education, income and health—the building blocks of opportunity.  

As policy and debate around SNAP benefits continue to evolve, our team will keep a close eye on how these changes will impact our North Texas neighbors at risk of food insecurity. 

Together, We Can End Hunger in North Texas  

At United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, our focus areas—education, income and health—are inextricably linked to food security. We address the root causes of hunger and advocate for improved food accessibility as we drive progress toward our Aspire United 2030 goals.   

We lead and invest in innovative programs that support communities and families and address challenges like food insecurity. We partner with dozens of local school districts, nonprofits and other community-based entities to provide nutritious food to hard-working families throughout the year.  

For example, through Southern Dallas Thrives, United Way and our partners expand food access in this historically underserved area of our region. By tapping organizations from our network of 50 community partners in Southern Dallas, last year we distributed 180,000+ pounds of food dispersed to southern sector families and community-based organizations. This initiative includes supplying local pantries, schools and markets; hosting community-based grocery pop-ups; and delivering nutritious meals directly to residents.  

Meanwhile, through our food access programming and advocacy work, we support summer meals programs as they provide millions of meals and supplemental programming to local children when school is out. These programs are run by local school districts, such as Dallas and Garland ISDs, and local nonprofit organizations such as North Texas Food Bank and Equal Heart.  

Volunteer to Support Food Access in North Texas  

United Way of Metropolitan Dallas offers multiple opportunities to support families who are food insecure. Visit our volunteer page to explore our latest volunteer opportunities in partnership with local food pantries and food banks. Also, sign up for our Advocacy Alerts and Policy in Brief newsletter, and join us as we advocate to ensure that all North Texans can thrive. 

In Need of Assistance? 

If you’re hungry and need nutritious, free food, call 2-1-1 for the latest information on the SNAP program and to connect with food resources from local food banks, food pantries and other community resources. Or, click here for our up-to-date list of local food resources and information.