In a momentous announcement reflecting the significance of our Centennial year, The Eugene McDermott Foundation has committed a transformative $5 million investment to United Way of Metropolitan Dallas. This landmark contribution represents not just a financial milestone but a bold statement of confidence in our mission to create lasting change in North Texas. It reaffirms the McDermott family’s legacy as one of the most influential forces shaping the future of our community.

This extraordinary gift, recently spotlighted in The Dallas Morning News, will accelerate progress toward our ambitious Aspire United 2030 goals, which include:

• Increasing the number of students reading on grade level by third grade by 50%
• Increasing the number of young adults who earn a living wage by 20%
• Ensuring 96% of North Texans have access to affordable health insurance

A Celebration of Visionary Leadership

The announcement was made on Dec. 2 during a landmark Ruth Sharp Altshuler Tocqueville Society luncheon at the Dallas Museum of Art, sponsored by Texas Instruments.

This remarkable event united leaders from Dallas’ most iconic cultural and educational institutions, each of whom has long been at the helm of institutions profoundly shaped by the McDermott family and The Eugene McDermott Foundation:

• Agustín Arteaga, Eugene McDermott Director of the Dallas Museum of Art
• David W. Dini, Eugene McDermott Headmaster at St. Mark’s School of Texas
• Jeanne Whitman Bobbitt, Former Eugene McDermott Headmistress of the Hockaday School
• Nicole Small, Former Eugene McDermott CEO of the Perot Museum of Nature and Science and current President of the Lyda Hill Foundation and CEO of LH Holdings

Each of these leaders brings a unique perspective on how the McDermott family’s vision, leadership and generosity have impacted their institutions. We were honored to be joined by them for a powerful panel discussion on leadership and its community impact, moderated by Jennifer Sampson, McDermott-Templeton president and CEO of United Way of Metropolitan Dallas. The conversation highlighted the McDermott family’s extraordinary impact on cultural institutions, education and social innovation, as well as their legacy of inspiring the next generation of philanthropists in North Texas.

A Gift Rooted in Legacy

At the luncheon, Sam Self, trustee of The Eugene McDermott Foundation, announced the generous $5 million investment. Self—a dedicated philanthropist and former chair of the Texas Instruments Foundation, former United Way of Dallas Board member and past recipient of the J. Erik Jonsson Award, United Way’s highest honor for volunteer service—emphasized the McDermott family’s enduring commitment to innovation, equity and opportunity.

Building on this sentiment, Mary McDermott Cook, president of The Eugene McDermott Foundation, highlighted the family’s vision for empowering communities and fostering progress. “Together with my daughter Grace, we continue my parents’ legacy of empowering communities and elevating Dallas as a beacon of creativity and progress. United Way of Metropolitan Dallas has been an extraordinary partner in bringing this vision to life.”

At United Way, we are proud that our longstanding partnership with the McDermott Foundation reflects a shared commitment to fostering opportunity and innovation, ensuring that North Texas remains a place where all residents can thrive.

Honoring Leadership and Inspiring Collaboration

The event honored Mary McDermott Cook and Grace Cook for their visionary leadership and tireless commitment to making Dallas a better city for all.

In a heartfelt toast, Don Glendenning, former co-chair of the Tocqueville Society’s $25,000 Circle, reflected on Margaret McDermott’s enduring influence.

“Today, we honor a visionary in Dallas philanthropy—Margaret McDermott—a true civic leader and champion of the arts, education and community. Her legacy remains alive in the McDermott Foundation’s work, which continues to transform lives across North Texas. May we continue to build on her legacy for the next century.”

United Way’s Sampson emphasized the profound impact of the McDermott family’s contributions.

“Over three generations, the McDermotts—Eugene and Margaret McDermott, Mary McDermott Cook and Grace Cook—have shaped Dallas through their remarkable philanthropy and leadership. Their contributions have left an indelible mark on our city’s cultural, educational and civic institutions. Their generosity sets a powerful example, driving our impact and inspiring others to join in our mission. Through their transformative gift, we’ll reach more neighbors, forge deeper connections and fuel bold new solutions to our community’s most pressing opportunities.”

The luncheon also celebrated Texas Instruments for its enduring partnership with United Way. TI has been a driving force in mobilizing volunteers through our Centennial Volunteer Series and its unprecedented support of our education, income and health initiatives, which represent the core of United Way’s mission.

Building Pathways to Opportunity

As we celebrate 100 years of impact, the McDermott Foundation’s transformational investment underscores the power of collaboration and visionary leadership in building a brighter future.

United Way’s Centennial Anniversary is more than a celebration of the past—it’s a call to action for what lies ahead. With leaders like the McDermott family, Texas Instruments and countless other supporters, we are equipped to make bold strides in creating opportunity, progress and equity for all North Texans.

Let’s embrace this once-in-a-century opportunity to drive real, lasting change. Here’s how you can be part of the journey:

1. Partner with us: Join us as a United Way Centennial Partner and help us shape the next 100 years of impact to North Texas. Together, we can make this region the best place to live, work and raise a family—for all. Click here to learn more.
2. Celebrate with us: Participate in our Centennial Anniversary events, featuring volunteer opportunities, inspiring speakers, meaningful connections and unforgettable experiences culminating in a grand Centennial Celebration in November 2025. Click here to get involved.
3. Invest in change: Every gift fuels life-changing programs that create pathways to opportunity for our neighbors. Click here to invest today.

Together, we can build a brighter, more equitable future for North Texas. Thank you for being part of this transformative journey.