A MESSAGE
FROM OUR CEO
Dear Change-Seekers,
Together, we did it again! As we close the fiscal year at United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, I’m pleased to report that, collectively, we once again proved that when we LIVE UNITED, we can bring about positive long-lasting change that creates the access and opportunity for all North Texans to thrive.
Thanks to supporters like you, together we improved access to education, income and health for 1.6 million North Texans – improvements that measurably change the trajectories for individuals and families in all pockets of our community.
As we wrap up our 98th year of impact in North Texas, United Way has stayed true to its mission, creating and investing in programs and partnerships that address the systemic challenges that affect too many of our neighbors. With social innovation layered throughout our approach to driving change, we are making steady progress toward our community-wide Aspire United 2030 goals and commitment to equity.
Education
In education, together we enable more North Texas students to graduate high school prepared for success in college or career with initiatives that include:
College and Career Fairs
These programs expose students to the resources, experiences and skills needed to succeed in college or a career. Over the last year, United Way college and career readiness events engaged
535 North Texas scholars—and enabled volunteers to be part of this inspiring work.
Digital Connections
In January 2022, United Way began distributing laptops and hot spots through AT&T’s $1 million grant to enable young Southern Dallas residents to access education, further their learning, and stay connected in the classroom and beyond. In 2022 alone, the program distributed more than
2,000 laptops and 1,500 hotspots across Southern Dallas and trained over 80 individuals through digital skills classes. And as a testament to the impact of this work, the TI Foundation, the McDermott Foundation and the Templeton Foundation recently joined AT&T with financial investments expanding this critically important work.
Heal Play Learn
Each summer, this initiative brings social emotional support and experiential learning to students in the DeSoto, Cedar Hill and Lancaster school districts. More than 30 high school interns will help facilitate the hands-on STEAM learning activities, giving them an opportunity to explore teaching as a profession and earn while they are learning.
Income
In income, United Way creates measurable impact through programs that encourage financial stability, including:
Targeted Eviction Prevention Program (TEPP)
The Dallas Technology Training Consortium
Funded through a $2.2 million grant from the City of Dallas, the initiative provides IT and technology skills training to individuals impacted by the COVID-19 recession. The program is serving 630 Dallas residents over a two-year period, in partnership with Goodwill Industries of Dallas, NPower and Per Scholas.
Dollars for College
This popular program makes it easy for students to begin to save for college, with a trusted and accessible way to open a college savings account. Last year, United Way and its supporters opened 229 Dollars for College accounts with total deposits exceeding $191,000.
Health
In health, United Way programs and partnerships enable North Texans to live longer, healthier lives, including:
Healthcare Navigation
This initiative provides grants to train and certify Healthcare Navigators, who help uninsured North Texans compare, understand and select plans on the Health Insurance Marketplace or through CHIP/Medicaid, as well as apply for subsidies to lower their monthly premiums. During our fiscal year, our navigators enabled 5,944 North Texans to quickly and easily sign up for health coverage.
Doorways to Health
This new community partnership, with support from Deloitte and United Way Worldwide, seeks to improve the maternal health outcomes of Black women by offering a variety of resources and programming, including home visiting and holistic maternal healthcare services, to ensure new and expecting mothers have the support necessary to thrive.
The North Texas Summer and Supper Council
This hunger-prevention program ensures students who rely on federally funded meal programs during the school year continue to get daily, nutritious food during summer months. In 2022, the program supported summer meals programs as they provided an incredible 55.6 million meals to students across Dallas and Collin counties.
In addition to these targeted programs, during this year’s Texas legislative session United Way and its supporters advocated tirelessly for policy change in education, income and health. Thanks to the work of hundreds of advocates – making phone calls, sharing information on social media and even advocating in person at the state capitol – the Live United movement helped advance and call attention to legislation that has a direct impact on North Texans’ everyday lives.
United together, advocating with our partners, we helped to ensure better health outcomes for moms across Texas through a bill sponsored by Rep. Toni Rose that extends Medicaid health insurance for moms to 12 months after pregnancy. This is a significant step in the right direction to improve women’s health in Texas and aligns directly with our Aspire United 2030 goals.
Growing investment in the future of our community
Over the past year, United Way’s initiatives had a direct impact on nearly 20% of the population in the fourth-largest metro area in the United States. This would not have been possible without your investment of just over $50 million, more than a 50% increase year over year. The latest GivingUSA report may show a decline in giving nationally, but we’re incredibly grateful for the continued and growing generosity of North Texas donors to create impact and opportunity for all of our neighbors to thrive. Highlights from the last 12 months include:
We are incredibly fortunate that United Way consistently attracts an extraordinary group of individuals who serve the North Texas community by investing their time and talent.
Our Boards of Directors play a significant role in providing the governance and guidance that enables United Way in Dallas to drive lasting change across the community. As United Way looks back on a successful fiscal year, I’d like to extend warm gratitude to Board Chairs Steven Williams, CEO PepsiCo Foods North America, and Terri West, chair of the Texas Instruments Foundation. Their unwavering vision, dedication, and passion for creating a North Texas community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive strengthened the foundation and paved the way for our work this past year.
We owe our campaign chair, Jean Savage, CEO of Trinity Industries, an enormous debt of gratitude for successfully leading our annual campaign this year. And I’m confident that United Way’s next annual campaign chair, Curt Farmer, CEO of Comerica Incorporated and Comerica Bank, will build upon this incredible momentum as we work to create impact in our 99th year of service to North Texas.
And I am so thankful for the significant contributions of our Ruth Sharp Altshuler Tocqueville leaders who have worked so hard to engage all of our donors and recruit over 100 new Tocqueville members this year. Thanks to our Tocqueville co-chairs Erin Nealy Cox, former US Attorney for the Northern District and Partner at Kirkland & Ellis, and Trey Cox, Partner for Gibson Dunn; our $25,000 Tocqueville Circle Co-Chairs Laura Downing and Jason Downing, Chief Operating Officer, Client & Market Growth at Deloitte; and our Women of Tocqueville Chair Mandy Austin, Dallas Market President, Bank of Texas.
Together, we’re changing lives
United Way of Metropolitan Dallas has been at the forefront in creating access and opportunities for all North Texans to thrive for the last 98 years.
I invite everyone to be a part of this incredible Live United movement. Together, we will continue to drive measurable impact across the region – creating positive change for 1.6 million of our neighbors every year – with a focus on Southern Dallas and other historically under-resourced areas of our community.
With gratitude,
Jennifer Sampson
McDermott-Templeton President & CEO
2022-2023 Leadership
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Jean Savage
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Steven Williams
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Charlene Lake
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Michelle Vopni
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Terri West
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Jennifer Sampson
Ruth Sharp Altshuler Tocqueville Society
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Tocqueville Campaign Co-Chairs:
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Tocqueville Circle Co-Chairs:
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Women of Tocqueville Chair:
