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Author: United Way of Metropolitan Dallas

Texas Instruments Executives Deepen 70-Year Partnership with United Way of Metropolitan Dallas

Written by United Way of Metropolitan Dallas on . Posted in News & Updates.

Leadership & Legacy

The J. Erik Jonsson Award is our highest honor for volunteer service. Established in 1978, the award was created by our Board of Directors in honor of its namesake’s outstanding leadership and philanthropy. Jonsson, a former mayor of Dallas and co-founder of Texas Instruments, served as president of United Way of Metropolitan Dallas from 1961-1962 and was a key figure in shaping United Way into the organization it is today. The J. Erik Jonsson Award is bestowed annually and recognizes exceptional commitment to volunteer service that embodies the spirit of civic leadership and community impact that J. Erik Jonsson himself championed.

During the 100-year celebration, Haviv Ilan, president and CEO of Texas Instruments, along with Kevin March, retired chief financial officer of Texas Instruments, honored the impactful work of the Templetons, whose vision and commitment have been instrumental in shaping United Way’s success today.

“Rich and Mary Templeton have made an enduring impact on North Texas—in business, in academia, on the well-being of our community, and on me,” said Haviv Ilan. “They have uniquely honed and nurtured a culture of giving inside Texas Instruments, as well as across our community. Their legacy builds upon our founders’ commitment to the community, including J. Erik Jonsson, and it’s been at the heart of our work with United Way for more than 70 years. This gift continues upon Rich and Mary’s example, and we are proud to support United Way’s second century of making an impact in our community.”

A Partnership That’s Transforming Dallas

Mary and Rich have exhibited the responsibility to carry out TI’s commitment to the Dallas community. They have led with conviction, and time after time they have made our community better through their generosity. Longstanding donors of United Way, they have been working in tandem with the organization since the beginning of their careers, donating their first few dollars to United Way’s impact across North Texas.

Their generosity and partnership with TI and United Way are significant:

  • Rich led TI’s work with United Way campaign for many years.
  • Rich also chaired the citywide 2012-2013 campaign, and he and Mary together became the first couple to co-chair the citywide campaign in 2018-2019. Combined, these two campaigns raised more than $115 million to improve education, income and health in North Texas.
  • Rich and Mary teamed up with Margaret McDermott—wife of TI founder Eugene McDermott—to endow the position of McDermott-Templeton president and chief executive officer of United Way of Metropolitan Dallas.
  • Mary co-chaired the Unite Forever Campaign, raising more than $100 million for the United Way Foundation’s endowment, which helps ensure that contributions to the community can continue indefinitely.

Building Stronger Communities Together

TI has an extensive history of partnering with United Way of Metropolitan Dallas to drive community impact. A sponsor of several United Way initiatives that advance education, income and health in our community, TI has supported collaboration in volunteerism at one of our most well-known events, our Centennial Volunteer Series. Together, we have written one of the greatest stories in civic partnership, backed by the belief that strong companies build strong communities, and strong communities build strong companies. As the Presenting Sponsor of the year-long Aspire United Volunteer Series, TI’s legacy and leadership combines executives, employees and alumni to power one of North Texas’s most successful workplace campaigns.

Mary and Rich join a legacy of J. Erik Jonsson recipients who have shaped United Way and Dallas.

Honoring past recipients:

  • 2025 Mary & Rich Templeton
  • 2024 Margot Perot
  • 2023 Karen and Tom Falk
  • 2020 Edward G. Galante*
  • 2019 Clint McDonnough
  • 2018 Lyda Hill
  • 2017 David Alexander
  • 2016 Joel Allison
  • 2015 Chuck Gummer
  • 2014 Roger Staubach
  • 2013 Caroline Rose Hunt
  • 2012 Stan Rabin
  • 2011 Debbie Taylor
  • 2010 Phil Ritter
  • 2009 Roger Nanney
  • 2008 William D. White, Jr.
  • 2007 J. Scott Wilson
  • 2006 Barbara Lord Watkins
  • 2005 Sam Self
  • 2004 Liz Minyard
  • 2003 Larry McDowell
  • 2002 Becky Bright
  • 2001 David Biegler
  • 2000 Keith Hughes
  • 1999 Harold Kleinman
  • 1998 Rita Clements
  • 1997 Wright Lassiter, Jr.
  • 1996 Ron Steinhart
  • 1995 George Shafer
  • 1994 W.R. Howell
  • 1993 Jerry R. Junkins
  • 1992 Reece A. Overcash, Jr.
  • 1991 Jerry Farrington
  • 1990 Charles G. Cullum
  • 1989 Ruth Sharp Altshuler
  • 1988 Jack Evans, Sr.
  • 1987 James F. Chambers, Jr.
  • 1986 Dan C. Williams
  • 1985 James W. Aston
  • 1984 Joe M. Dealey
  • 1983 John M. Stemmons
  • 1982 Terrell Harper
  • 1981 Robert Moore, MD
  • 1980 Earl Forsythe
  • 1979 John Jackson

*2020 Award delayed due to pandemic, presented in May 2022.

Celebrating 100 Years of Impact—and Launching Our Next Century, Together

Written by United Way of Metropolitan Dallas on . Posted in News & Updates.

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From our team at United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, thank you to everyone across North Texas who celebrated 100 years of changing lives with us. This Centennial year has been a milestone in every sense—a moment to honor our rich history, celebrate the progress we’ve made together and look ahead with bold optimism to the century of impact still to come. We simply could not have reached this moment without passionate supporters, partners, neighbors and changemakers like you.

Throughout our Centennial year, our commitment to improving access to education, income and health never paused. Instead, the Live United movement accelerated all across North Texas. Over the past 12 months, tens of thousands of supporters invested, volunteered and advocated alongside us, positively impacting more than 1.7 million of our neighbors—an incredible achievement highlighted in our new Impact Report. From hands-on impact during the Aspire United Volunteer Series presented by Texas Instruments to key investments in community programs, together we built momentum that will carry us well into our next century of measurable change.

On Saturday, November 15, that momentum reached its peak at the Centennial Celebration presented by PepsiCo—a once-in-a-century community gathering that welcomed around 30,000 people to Fair Park and the Cotton Bowl. It was one of the biggest celebrations Dallas has ever seen—a joyful tribute to unity, partnership and the belief that every North Texan deserves the opportunity to thrive—that culminated with unforgettable performances by global icon, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and philanthropist Janet Jackson and country superstar Blake Shelton.

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A Celebration of Flavor, Community and Creativity

The day began with Taste United Food & Wine Festival powered by Vistra, where more than 60 of North Texas’ most beloved chefs, restaurants and wineries came together to honor the creativity and generosity that define our region. The festival combined curated tastings, sips and standout entertainment—creating a lively, high-energy atmosphere that set the tone for a truly unforgettable day.

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Honoring Leadership and Legacy

Meanwhile, more than 1,000 civic and business leaders gathered for a special Patron Dinner presented by Kimberly-Clark, an inspiring evening that celebrated both legacy and leadership. The program included meaningful reflections from long-standing partners, moving moments of recognition—such as the presentation of the J. Erik Jonsson Award to Rich and Mary Templeton—and a stirring performance by Grammy winner Andra Day.

Guests included Honorary Centennial Chair Barbara Pierce Bush, Darren Woodson, Rolando Blackman, Marty Turco and other community leaders, who joined us in honoring a century of measurable impact and the people who have made it possible.

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A Once-in-a-Lifetime Concert Under the Lights

The night culminated under the bright lights of historic Cotton Bowl Stadium with the Centennial Celebration Concert presented by PepsiCo, featuring two extraordinary headliners—global icon, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and philanthropist Janet Jackson, along with country superstar Blake Shelton.

Their once-in-a-lifetime performances electrified the stadium, creating a jubilant crescendo to a day filled with gratitude, community and unity. It was a powerful reminder of what becomes possible when people come together with compassion and purpose.

During her performance, Janet Jackson took a moment to reflect on the power of giving back—and the progress that United Way and partners like PepsiCo have created over the decades.

“Being able to share this Centennial moment with you, it’s just priceless. It’s a reminder of what can happen when people really come together to care, to serve and to believe in one another. I’m so grateful to be here with you tonight.”

Global icon, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and philanthropist Janet Jackson

Blake Shelton, who also performed at our 90th anniversary celebration in 2015, echoed her sentiments:

“It’s really special to be back for United Way of Metropolitan Dallas’ Centennial Celebration,” he said. “Dallas is just a few hours from where I grew up and my ranch in Oklahoma, so it almost feels like a hometown show. I’m honored to celebrate 100 years of impact with a community that believes in lifting each other up.”

Our Movement is Powered by Community

Behind this incredible milestone were the generous Century Circle sponsors whose partnership made the celebration possible: PepsiCo, Texas Instruments, Arcosa, AT&T, Bank of America, Comerica Bank, Hoblitzelle Foundation, Kimberly-Clark, Trinity Industries and Vistra. Their belief in our mission—and in the future of North Texas—helped bring this historic event to life.

“PepsiCo is proud of our longstanding partnership with United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and to be the presenting sponsor of the Centennial Celebration,” said Steven Williams, CEO of PepsiCo North America, 2023-2025 Annual Campaign chair and Centennial co-chair. “Our collaboration with Southern Dallas Thrives and our annual PepsiCo Day of Caring have been integral to our company culture, driving transformative change for both the community and our people. We look forward to making an even greater impact together in the future.”

Throughout the year, the Aspire United Volunteer Series presented by Texas Instruments engaged thousands of volunteers in hands-on projects that advanced our Aspire United 2030 goals. From Reading Day and STEM Fest to Stock the School and neighborhood revitalization projects, more than 5,000 volunteers helped strengthen our community—joined by partners such as the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Stars, Dallas Mavericks, Texas Rangers, Dallas Wings, Dallas Trinity FC and FC Dallas.

United, We’re Shaping a North Texas That Is Greater Than Ever Before

As we close out our Centennial year, we do so with deep gratitude and renewed determination. This celebration was far more than a moment—it was a launchpad for our next century. A century where every North Texan has the opportunity, resources and support to thrive. A century powered by unity, generosity and collective action.

As we kick off our next 100 years, we invite ALL North Texans to dream bigger, give back to our community greater, and collaborate as a united, strategic force. Because the challenges that our neighbors face—and the opportunities—are too vast for any of us to tackle alone.

Together, we can help North Texans be greater than the barriers they face and shape a North Texas that is greater than ever before.

Here’s to the next 100 years. Let’s keep changing lives, together. Click here to invest in North Texas now.

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A Message from our CEO

Written by United Way of Metropolitan Dallas on . Posted in News & Updates.

A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO

Celebrating 100 Years United —And Building the Future Together

Dear United Way of Metropolitan Dallas Community,

One hundred years. 1.7 million lives changed this year alone. This is what happens when North Texas unites.

As we approach the culmination of our extraordinary Centennial year this November, I want to express my deepest gratitude to you— our investors, advocates, volunteers, and partners—who have helped shape a stronger North Texas for the past century. This year marks a historic milestone: 100 years of impact driven by United Way of Metropolitan Dallas. Throughout our Centennial year, we have honored the generations of North Texans who united to drive progress—and we launched bold new efforts to shape a future where every person in our community can thrive.

Thanks to your support, we achieved remarkable impact this year, changing more than 1.7 million lives and making meaningful progress toward our Aspire United 2030 goals in education, income, and health. Whether you volunteered, invested, or raised your voice for change, you helped build a legacy that will resonate for generations.

A Century of Progress—And a Blueprint for What’s Next

From our founding in 1924 to this Centennial year, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas has brought together business and civic leaders, nonprofits, local governments, and neighbors to address the region’s most pressing challenges.

We’re proud of all we’ve achieved—and even more inspired by the work still ahead and the opportunity to make lasting change as one community.

Real Progress Toward Our Aspire United 2030 Goals

Our Aspire United 2030 goals provide a clear roadmap to increase access to education, income, and health—the building blocks of opportunity. The most recent research from our third-party evaluation partner, the Parkland Center for Clinical Innovation (PCCI), shows measurable gains:

  • Education: Third-grade reading proficiency improved by 15% across our service area, signaling a strong recovery from pandemic learning loss. To reach our goal of 83% proficiency, we’ll need to maintain a 3% annual increase through 2030. We’re on track—and committed.

  • Income: 71% of young workers in our region now earn a living wage—up from the previous year, but still short of our 78% target. A 1% annual increase will close that gap, and our investments in job training and career pathways are paving the way.

  • Health: Health insurance coverage stands at 83% across most of our service area, with Rockwall County posting a notable 0.5% gain. To meet our 96% target, we’ll focus on expanding access and awareness, aiming for a 2% annual increase.

These metrics remind us: progress is possible but not promised. Achieving our goals will require even greater investments,community alignment, and relentless innovation—all hallmarks of our approach at United Way.

A Year of Impact and Innovation

As we approach the close of this transformative year, I am inspired by the progress we drove through innovative initiatives that create meaningful change in people’s lives. Here’s just a taste of what we achieved this year:

Education

  • 698,000 students laid the groundwork for continued educational success, thanks to programs like Once Upon a Month, Texas Home Visiting Program, and Digital Bridges, our partnership with AT&T.
  • Our Centennial Reading Day presented by Atmos Energy brought together more than 1,000 volunteers who read to over 15,000 students across the region. As part of our Aspire United Volunteer Series presented by Texas Instruments, this beloved tradition distributed books for students to take home, advancing our early literacy goals and setting children up for lifelong success.

Income

  • 71,000 local workers received assistance to get and keep better jobs and build savings for the future through programs like Pathways to Work and Free Tax Prep.
  • In Southern Dallas, we launched a new workforce training hub at RedBird, a transformational resource that helps residents build in-demand skills and access well-paying jobs.
  • The Southern Dallas Thrives initiative, led by PepsiCo CEO and our annual campaign chair, Steven Williams, is expanding job training, early childhood education, and food access in historically underinvested neighborhoods. Supporting this work is the recently launched Southern Dallas Thrives Fund, which will fuel the long-term sustainability and growth of the initiative— directing resources to community-led solutions that are creating measurable impact across Southern Dallas.

Health

  • 473,000 neighbors gained access to health and wellness resources necessary for longer, healthier lives, thanks to programs like Healthcare Navigators, kids teaching kids® and Doorways to Health, our partnership with Kimberly-Clark.
  • We improved food access for thousands of families through programs like Summer Meals, Southern Dallas Thrives and the Food & Health Resources Fair. Our Food Access Summit, supported by Bank of America and the McKesson Foundation, focused attention and resources on food insecurity in Southern Dallas.
  • Our Thriving Neighborhoods initiative, part of our Aspire United Volunteer Series presented by Texas Instruments, mobilized volunteers to create and improve community spaces where neighbors can build connections that support mental health and thrive—together.

Grassroots Partnerships and Ongoing Innovation

  • We launched the Data Capacity Building Initiative (DCBI) to equip our nonprofit and community partners with the tools, training, and support to collect, analyze, and apply data effectively. By strengthening local organizations’ data capabilities, we’re helping them demonstrate impact, secure funding, and drive greater outcomes across North Texas.
  • We completed our latest three-year Community Impact Grant process, partnering with 167 local, grassroots organizations to drive real progress toward our Aspire United 2030 goals. These new community impact partners create measurable, lasting change across education, income, and health, representing the power of local solutions for our region’s most pressing needs.
  • In partnership with Goldman Sachs, we brought The Pitch delivered by Amazon to new heights and hosted our first-ever Social Innovation Summit, showcasing bold, transformative ideas from local entrepreneurs who are redefining how we address community challenges. Alongside these milestones, we unveiled our Social Innovation 10-Year Impact Report, celebrating a decade of progress powered by creative, community-driven solutions. The energy in the room, and the stories in the report, served as a powerful reminder that lasting change begins with bold vision.

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Centennial Giving and Philanthropic Momentum

This year brought extraordinary generosity to inspiring new heights.

In December, the Eugene McDermott Foundation made a transformational $5 million investment to accelerate our work in education and health—fueling brighter futures for countless North Texans. In April, Carol and Kevin March, steadfast champions of our mission, gave a visionary $5 million gift that will shape the lives of generations to come.

This spring, as part of our Centennial celebrations, we welcomed Stéphanie and Jean-Guillaume de Tocqueville to Dallas. Their visit served as a bridge between our local legacy of giving and the global history of the Tocqueville Society, reinforcing philanthropy’s ability to transform the future. The Tocqueville Society continued its steady growth throughout the year, as more local leaders invested generously in our community. This momentum will crescendo in 2026, when we mark the 40th anniversary of the Tocqueville Society in Dallas.

These gifts, and investments of all sizes, are far more than generous contributions—they are bold statements of belief in the extraordinary future we can create as one community.

November 15: An Unforgettable Night of Celebration and Inspiration

As we approach the crown jewel of our Centennial year, our Centennial Celebration presented by PepsiCo on November 15 will be an unforgettable evening to honor the past, celebrate the present, and step boldly into our next century with unparalleled vision and momentum. Held at the iconic Cotton Bowl Stadium, the event will feature performances by global icon, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and philanthropist Janet Jackson and country superstar Blake Shelton, alongside appearances from community champions and corporate partners.

The day will kick off with the Taste United Food & Wine Festival powered by Vistra, where guests can savor chef-driven tastings and curated pairings from some of North Texas’ top culinary talent. The Patron Dinner presented by Kimberly-Clark will honor supporters with exclusive entertainment and fine dining. The grand finale Concert presented by PepsiCo will make history in the heart of North Texas!

This once-in-a-generation celebration will unite North Texans from every corner of our region in a powerful moment of pride and purpose. It will be a celebration of our past matched by the promise of our future—and a resounding call to action for the century ahead.

We invite everyone—individuals, families, businesses—to be part of this moment. Celebrate the impact we’ve built together and join us to build an even greater future for all North Texans.

Click here to secure your spot for this unforgettable experience and be part of North Texas history.


Looking Ahead: Our Second Century Begins Now

As we prepare to close our Centennial year in November, we’re not winding down—we’re ramping up! With Jim Burke, president and chief executive officer of Vistra, taking the helm as our next Annual Campaign Chair, we are laser-focused on the future of North Texas:

  • Deepening our impact in under-resourced communities
  • Scaling innovation to build solutions and pipelines for Dallas’ future
  • Growing our investor and volunteer networks to reflect the rich diversity of our region
  • Driving measurable change that benefits every North Texan

This is a pivotal moment—not just for United Way, but for our entire community. Our goals are bold.The timeline is urgent. And we are just getting started!

Join Us in Creating Exponential Impact for the Future

United Way has always been more than a social change organization. It’s a movement—a promise that we will show up, work as one, and leave no one behind.

As we begin our next century, I invite you to join us:

  • Give: Your investment powers life-changing programs
  • Advocate: Use your voice to influence policies that create
    opportunity
  • Volunteer: Share your time and talents to drive local change

The next 100 years are ours to build—together. Let’s make them count.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Jennifer Sampson
McDermott-Templeton President and CEO
United Way of Metropolitan Dallas

Thank you to our Centennial Partners

These change-makers are united in our mission to transform lives as we launch into our second century of impact in North Texas.

  • PepsiCo

    CENTENNIAL PRESENTING SPONSOR

  • Texas Instruments

    ASPIRE UNITED VOLUNTEER SERIES SPONSOR

  • Arcosa

  • AT&T

  • Bank of America

  • Comerica Bank

  • Kimberly-Clark

  • Trinity Industries

  • Vistra

  • Tom Thumb

  • Atmos Energy

  • EY

  • HEB

  • Ashlee and Chris Kleinert and Family

  • Ben E. Keith Co.

  • Mr. Cooper Group

  • Amazon

  • Neiman Marcus

  • Saks Global

  • Accenture

  • FTI Consulting

  • Toyota

  • 7-Eleven

  • Bank of Texas

  • Haynes Boone

  • Charles Schwab

  • Celanese

  • Susser Bank

  • HN Capital

  • BCG

UNITED WAY OF METROPOLITAN DALLAS BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2025-2026

  • Antonio Carrillo

    Chair

    President and CEO, Arcosa

  • Steven Williams

    Immediate Past Chair; Annual Campaign Chair

    Chief Executive Officer, PepsiCo North America

  • Michelle Vopni

    Chair – Finance Committee

    Dallas Office Managing Partner, Ernst & Young LLP (EY)

  • Jennifer Sampson

    President

    McDermott-Templeton President & CEO, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas

UNITED WAY FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2025-2026

  • Terri West

    Chair

    Chair, Texas Instruments Foundation

  • Erin George

    Vice Chair

    Dallas Managing Director and Senior Partner, The Boston Consulting Group

  • Kevin March

    Secretary/Treasurer, Investment Committee Chair

    Retired Chief Financial Officer, Texas Instruments

  • Jennifer Sampson

    President

    McDermott- Templeton President and CEO, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas

View full board of directors

United Way of Metropolitan Dallas CEO Advisory Council

Co-Chairs

  • Curt Farmer

    UWMD Annual Campaign Chair, 2023-2024

    Chairman, President and CEO,
    Comerica

  • Haviv Ilan

    President and CEO, Texas Instruments

  • Jim Burke

    UWMD Annual Campaign Chair, 2025-2026

    President and CEO,
    Vistra Corp.

  • Antonio Carrillo

    President and CEO, Arcosa

  • Joe Creed

    Chairman and CEO, Caterpillar, Inc.

  • Jay Hartzell

    President, Southern Methodist University

  • Ken Hersh

    President & CEO, George W. Bush Presidential Center

  • Mike Hsu

    Chairman and CEO,​ Kimberly-Clark Corporation

  • Rob Kaplan

    Vice Chairman, Goldman Sachs

  • Aasem Khalil

    Head of Dallas Office, Goldman Sachs

  • Chris Kleinert

    President and CEO,​ Hunt Investment Holdings, LLC​

  • Michael Levy

    Chief Executive Officer, Crow Holdings

  • Lorie Logan

    President and CEO,​ Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas​

  • Tom Luce

    Founder and Chairman Emeritus, Texas 2036

  • Alok Maskara

    Chief Executive Officer, Lennox

  • Fred Perpall

    Chief Executive Officer, The Beck Group

  • Bob Pragada

    Chief Executive Officer, Jacobs

  • Scott Richardson

    Chief Executive​ Officer and President,​ Celanese Corporation

  • Troy Rudd

    Chief Executive Officer, AECOM

  • G. Brint Ryan

    Chairman and CEO​ Ryan, LLC

  • Jean Savage

    Chief Executive Officer and President, Trinity Industries

  • John Stankey

    Chief Executive Officer,​ AT&T

  • Rich Templeton

    Chairman of the Board, ​ Texas Instruments

  • Brian Tyler

    Chief Executive Officer, ​ McKesson Corporation ​

  • Steven Williams

    Chief Executive Officer, PepsiCo North America

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Improving Access to Healthy Meals

Written by United Way of Metropolitan Dallas on . Posted in Impact Stories.

Texas is one of the most food-insecure states in the nation. That’s why many of our health initiatives focus on improving food security for all North Texans.

We partner with grassroots organizations like Empowering the Masses to deliver health knowledge and resources to our neighbors. At the nonprofit’s Community Market, residents can select nutritious pantry staples and attend events like Wellness Wednesdays, where local Chef Kevin Curry taught attendees how to make delicious, healthful meals from basic ingredients.

Watch the video to get a behind-the-scenes look at how we work with partners like Empowering the Masses and Chef Kevin Curry to improve access to health in North Texas.

1,000 Volunteers Spark Reading Magic During Our Centennial Reading Day

Written by United Way of Metropolitan Dallas on . Posted in News & Updates.

One of our big dreams for Big D is for tens of thousands of North Texas children to discover the magic of reading in a single day. On Friday, March 7, that dream became reality, as volunteers from across North Texas gathered for United Way Reading Day presented by Atmos Energy, one of our most beloved and impactful annual traditions.

As a key part of our Aspire United Volunteer Series presented by Texas Instruments, Reading Day is a unique opportunity for community volunteers to spark a love of reading in young students across North Texas.

The 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. Research shows that after third grade, most learning is done by reading, which is why early literacy is foundational to our three focus areas—education, income and health.

Let’s take a look back at the success of Reading Day 2025, as well as the importance of reading proficiency and how you can support early literacy all year long.

Reading Day in Photos

See how we celebrated United Way Reading Day across North Texas.

View our full Reading Day album

More than 15,000 students impacted

Befitting of our year-long Centennial anniversary celebration, United Way Reading Day presented by Atmos Energy had an outsized impact:

  • 15,000

    scholars

    discovered beloved children’s books from the last 100 years

  • 1,000

    volunteers

     read to local students

  • 1,000+

    classrooms

    participated

  • 47

    elementary campuses

    celebrated across 12 school districts

  • 2,900

    literacy kits

    prepared by our corporate partners

  • 5,000

    books donated

    to local schools

  • 15,000

    scholars

    discovered beloved children’s books from the last 100 years

  • 1,000

    volunteers

     read to local students

  • 1,000+

    classrooms

    participated

  • 47

    elementary campuses

    celebrated across 12 school districts

  • 2,900

    literacy kits

    prepared by our corporate partners

  • 5,000

    books donated

    to local schools

In addition to thousands of dedicated volunteers, we were also honored to welcome this 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.

With thousands of change-seekers signing up to read to children, donate books and prepare literacy kits, Reading Day continued the success of our Aspire United Volunteer Series presented by Texas Instruments, as part of this year’s Centennial anniversary. Now through November, we’re uniting all of Dallas to celebrate our first 100 years of impact, give back to the community and look ahead to our next century of service to North Texas.

– Dr. Harryette Ehrhardt, Reading Day volunteer

It’s fun to read to children. Young children are like sponges—they just soak up everything. You have the opportunity to actually watch children learn while you’re reading to them, which is an exciting experience.

Volunteer with Us

As we march toward our culminating Centennial celebration in the fall of 2025, our upcoming volunteer opportunities will enable change-seekers like you to network and make a direct impact here in North Texas. Activities will include everything from STEM education and career exposure to early literacy, physical and mental health, and food access. Complete our volunteer interest form to receive updates on how to get involved.

The Importance of Reading Proficiency

Our annual Reading Day celebration isn’t just about encouraging children to love reading. It also supports early literacy by showing kids that books are fun, accessible and engaging.

Early literacy is directly connected to our focus areas of education, income and health—the building blocks of opportunity. When children develop strong reading skills, they are better equipped to succeed in school, which in turn supports college and career readiness, career achievement and even overall health.

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.
  • Students who read on grade level by third grade are five times more likely to graduate ready for success in college or career.
  • 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.

Research indicates that third grade is an important learning milestone for students and a time when reading proficiency is especially significant. That’s because third grade is when children shift from learning to read to reading to learn. From this point on, reading becomes foundational for all other learning, including science, math and history. In fact, an estimated 85% of all curricula is taught by reading.

“Once children develop strong literacy skills, they are ready to begin learning and succeeding in every subject,” said Abigail Sharp, vice president of early childhood initiatives at United Way of Metropolitan Dallas.

While events like Reading Day support children’s development, creativity and vocabulary, they also create a foundation for learning, which opens the door to the future, whether that takes the form of college, a career, the military or some other path. By encouraging early reading as a community, together we can advance our mission to create access and opportunity for all North Texans to thrive.

Reading Proficiency in North Texas

Recent data shows that third-grade reading proficiency has jumped more than 15% in our service area. This puts us on track to achieve our top-line Aspire United 2030 education goal, which is to increase by 50% the number of students reading on grade level by third grade.

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.

Sharp says early literacy initiatives like those from United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and our partners are having a direct impact on overall third-grade reading proficiency in our community.

“United Way and other local community organizations recognize the importance of literacy and exposure to reading from a very early age,” she says. “Programs like United Way Reading Day and Once Upon a Month create opportunity and access where it didn’t exist before, exposing children to the joys and possibilities of books in a way that will benefit them for years to come.”

Support Early Literacy in North Texas

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.

Here are two ways you can support early literacy in right here at home:

  • Give

    Make a donation to support programs like Reading Day and 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.

  • Advocate

    The Texas Legislature is currently in session, and now is the perfect time to join us in advocating for our legislative priorities, which include strengthening early literacy policies. Sign up for our Advocacy Alerts today.

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In the News

  • Former First Lady Laura Bush and United Way Reading Day on the Today Show

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  • Laura Bush Among Those Reading to Kids for United Way Reading Day

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  • For Reading Day, a Lifelong North Texas Educator Returns to School Where She Began Her Career

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  • Former First Lady Laura Bush Read to Students at J.N. Ervin Elementary School in Dallas

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  • Former First Lady Laura Bush Reads to Dallas ISD Students

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Inspiring Girls to Love STEM

Written by United Way of Metropolitan Dallas on . Posted in Impact Stories.

As the parent of immigrants, Shreya has always been grateful to her parents for giving her the opportunity to empower her future through education. Her passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) led her to her current role at Texas Instruments. And since the company is one of United Way of Metropolitan Dallas’ most dedicated partners, it didn’t take long for Shreya to join her coworkers in enthusiastic support of United Way’s volunteer and fundraising efforts.

Shreya especially appreciates the opportunity to share her love of STEM with young North Texans and to encourage girls to get curious about the field. She volunteers at United Way events like STEMFest to ensure the next generation of scientists and engineers understand just how far their dreams can take them.

Our 5 Pitch Finalists Have Big Dreams for Big D—and They’re Making Them a Reality

Written by United Way of Metropolitan Dallas on . Posted in News & Updates.

Meet our 5 Finalists

Meet our finalists and get ready to cheer on your favorites. At the end of the night, you’ll help determine who wins prize funding by casting your vote for the Audience Choice Award!

  • Crystal Dobson

    Founder and CEO of CardiacFITT

    During Crystal’s 17-year career as a cardiac nurse, she has worked closely with countless patients with life-threatening heart disease. As the No. 1 killer of Americans, heart disease hits communities of color particularly hard. Unfortunately, many heart patients don’t get the guidance and support they need to improve their health.

    That’s why Crystal created CardiacFITT, an innovative, technology-forward healthcare management platform that promotes cardiovascular wellness, with a focus on underserved communities. Her team provides virtual and in-person fitness, nutrition, health coaching, medication management support and education services, with a goal of preventing, rather than treating, heart disease.

    The idea for the organization struck Crystal during a late-night shift in the ICU, when she was caring for a patient who was recovering from a heart attack.

    “I looked at his medical history and saw that he had the same attributes as a lot of our other patients: high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, non-compliant on follow-ups with his doctors and inconsistent connections with community resources,” she shares. “I realized we needed to do something about this, because we were implementing care too late. We shouldn’t have to wait until someone gets to the cardiac ICU to help.”

    Now that Crystal has gone through the Social Innovation Accelerator, she looks forward to tapping into the social innovation community across North Texas.
    “I’ve learned so much about collaboration,” she says. “It transformed us from working in a silo to having a community of people to tackle the same issues of access to healthcare and inequality.”

    Learn more about CardiacFITT

  • Laura Hayes

    CEO of The Learning Bridge

    Growing up, Laura’s parents worked hard but struggled to escape poverty.

    “They weren’t able to complete their education, but they really believed it was the way up and out. And I adopted that belief myself,” she says. “I graduated very high in my class in high school, a perfect 800 on the SAT, but I was a first-generation college student. My parents didn’t know how to tell me how to do it. So I took some wrong turns. It took me longer and cost me more than it should have.”

    After college, Laura spent 35 years in education. Upon retirement, she poured her decades of experience into her next passion project, The Learning Bridge, which supports North Texans’ educational journeys through professional development and tailored training. Recently, the organization developed an educational video game called ADMITnGO.

    “I found that there was a gap for students who needed to understand how to get to college,” she explains. “We work with young people where they already are—playing video games—and we help them understand how to navigate the road to college.”

    Lauren previously went through the Social Innovation Incubator, and she saw the opportunity to fine-tune her launch of ADMITnGO by applying for the Accelerator.
    “They provided things for me that I could go back and use in my business immediately. It wasn’t just theory,” she says. “It can be very isolating and lonely to be an entrepreneur, but having gone through this program, I have all these partners and I fully intend to make use of it.”

    Learn more about The Learning Bridge

  • Jason Hernandez

    Founder and Executive Director of La Tiendita

    When Jason was growing up in McKinney, kids would gather at a rundown store to buy and sell drugs, learn how to shoot a gun and get into trouble.

    Like many of his peers, Jason started selling drugs at the age of 15 and was eventually arrested. While in prison, he set a goal for himself to create an organization that gives back to McKinney’s Latino community. In the very same building where he used to sell drugs, Jason has established a nonprofit grocery store, community resource and empowerment center that connects Latino students with internships and wrap-around services that support their success in school.

    “La Tiendita used to be a place where kids would go to get ‘internships’ on selling drugs, gang banging, how to load a gun. But within the last two years, we’ve turned it into a place of empowerment for our kids where they get internships on how to be leaders in their schools and communities,” he says. “La Tiendita is what I would’ve needed, what my brothers would’ve needed, what my friends would’ve needed.”
    After going through the Social Innovation Incubator, Jason decided to apply for the Accelerator for guidance on how to expand his business and create a model that can be replicated in other cities.

    “The Accelerator has taught me how to use my knowledge from hustling and grinding in the streets to creating a nonprofit that’s not only sustainable and impactful, but one day can be replicated by others in their communities,” he says.

    Learn more about La Tiendita

  • Saki Milton

    Founder of The GEMS Camp

    Saki was a first-generation college student from a community that lacked opportunities for young students. She developed a passion for education that led her to become a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education professional.

    “Through my math teaching, I started noticing that the girls started shrinking back and seeming less confident the older they got,” she explains. “I really wanted to do something about it and create positive, uplifting and safe environments for them to be exposed to rigorous content.”

    In 2010, Saki started The GEMS Camp to spark an interest in STEM in underserved and underrepresented girls, providing university sleepaway camps, after-school clubs and enrichment experiences that educate and entertain.

    “In the United States, 2 million STEM jobs go unfilled every year,” she says. “My aim is to prepare women and girls to fill those jobs. We have so much evidence that women can step into those roles and succeed. And at the micro level, we’re helping girls foster an interest that maybe they’ve been talked out of.”

    Now that Saki has gone through the Accelerator, she feels ready to scale The GEMS Camp in a way that may not have been possible before.

    “I didn’t have the talent and the expertise needed,” she says. “Now that I’ve gone through the program, I have a great scalable concept through a licensing model, where universities can host their own gyms camp using our assets, our intellectual property, our templates, our ways of working, and introduce even more girls than we could have reached on our own.”

    Learn more about The GEMS Camp

  • Van Parker

    Managing Director, North Texas, Housing Connector

    Growing up, Van had an amazing single mom who did whatever she could to ensure she and her brother had great opportunities. Unfortunately, they often experienced housing instability.

    That experience helped draw Van to her role at Housing Connector, which works to reduce criteria for housing applications, with a goal of filling vacant units and enabling more people to be approved for homes that they would otherwise be denied access to.

    “A lot of folks in our program are teachers, seniors, cashiers, and all of these folks have a job, but they still have some barrier—whether that’s a low credit score, an eviction—that’s preventing them from being approved for affordable housing,” she says. “About 85% of our clients identify as Black, indigenous or people of color. Every day I’m seeing someone that looks just like me who needs our help and I’m happy to be able to help them.”

    As she works to get Housing Connector established in North Texas, Van realized the Social Innovation Accelerator was an opportunity to become more engaged in the community and understand its unique needs. And, she attended The Pitch in 2024 and was inspired to be part of it.

    “It was so impactful for me to be in that audience and see how life-changing this event is and to be in a space where people wanted to collaborate and cheer others on,” she says. “I was really excited to just attend The Pitch, but to now be on the other side is even more amazing.”

    Learn more about Housing Connector

See Innovation in Action at The Pitch!

On April 9, these five incredible finalists will take to the stage at The Pitch, where they’ll pitch their innovative ideas to a panel of judges and a live audience.

Join us for this exhilarating, inspiring social innovation competition, where you’ll enjoy food, fun and networking with passionate change-seekers just like you, cheer on your favorite finalist, and find out which one of these entrepreneurs will walk away with hundreds of thousands of dollars in prize funding and the title Social Innovator of the Year.

Get your tickets now

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Sharing the Power of Education

Written by United Way of Metropolitan Dallas on . Posted in Impact Stories.

When Salvador was a kid growing up in Juarez, Mexico, he recognized that education was his key to greater opportunity. He dedicated significant time and effort to his studies, and today he’s a systems engineer at Texas Instruments.

Salvador has become passionate about sharing the power of education with other young students—especially those from Hispanic communities across North Texas. He volunteers and donates to United Way and our community partners to ensure the next generation can also realize their dreams for the future.