To my fellow change-seekers,
With the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas fiscal year drawing to a close, I find myself reflecting on the countless ways North Texans have dedicated time, investments and effort to improving this place we call home.
As the 2023-2024 United Way campaign chair, I want to offer a heartfelt thank you to everyone who invested in our community, advocated for policy change or volunteered their talents over the last year. It is because of you that we have improved access to education, income and health for nearly 1.6 million of our neighbors.
Together, we directly changed the lives of more than 20% of the population in the fourth-largest metro area in the United States — an incredible impact. Our collective support of United Way of Metropolitan Dallas fueled highly effective programs and partnerships that address the systemic challenges that affect too many.
North Texans’ generosity did not disappoint this year. This community is passionate about investing in our children, families, workers and neighbors. I have been amazed by the level of giving by both organizations and individuals, all of whom trust United Way of Metropolitan Dallas to drive lasting, measurable change.
For nearly 100 years, United Way has brought together corporate partners, individuals, community-based organizations, foundations, school districts and others to address the ever-changing needs across our growing region — while also continuing to make progress toward our community-wide Aspire United 2030 goals.
Improving access to education, income and health
Each year, United Way’s programs and partnerships positively impact nearly 1.6 million North Texans. That means:
- 655,000 students laid the groundwork for continued educational success.
- 420,000 North Texans received assistance to improve their financial stability.
- 498,000 neighbors gained access to the resources necessary to live longer, healthier lives.
In education, United Way and its supporters enable more North Texas students to succeed with initiatives that include:
- Early literacy: We kicked off the Aspire United Volunteer Series presented by Texas Instruments with Reading Day presented by Atmos Energy. Former first lady Mrs. Laura Bush served as honorary chair as nearly 1,200 volunteers read to more than 20,000 local students to promote early literacy. Additionally, United Way’s Once Upon a Month partnership shared the power of reading with more than 11,000 students.
- Early childhood development: United Way leads and collaborates on several parent education initiatives, including Texas Home Visiting Program, providing thousands of families with hands-on instruction, resources and skills that empower caregivers, encourage healthy child development and prevent child abuse.
- Digital Bridges: Last year, United Way distributed nearly 1,700 laptops and provided digital literacy classes to young southern Dallas residents through this partnership with AT&T, Texas Instruments Foundation, Richard and Mary Templeton Foundation, and The Eugene McDermott Foundation. The devices enable recipients to access education, further their learning and stay connected.
In income, United Way creates measurable impact through programs that lead to financial stability, including:
- Pathways to Work: This workforce development program gives North Texans the training necessary to secure jobs in IT, health care and more. In our most recent fiscal year, the initiative served more than 20,000 workers and led to more than 2,900 job placements.
- Housing stability: United Way served as a key member of the Dallas Housing Coalition, which led to historic public funding for homelessness programs and affordable housing.
- Dollars for College: This 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 166 new Dollars for College accounts with total deposits exceeding $343,000.
In health, United Way programs and partnerships that enable North Texans to live longer, healthier lives include:
- Food access: United Way is committed to improving food access to ensure that every North Texan can fully thrive. They are raising awareness and driving progress through initiatives like Southern Dallas Thrives and the recent Food Access Summit thanks to the research of Boston Consulting Group and a $1 million multi-year investment by Bank of America, and supported by the McKesson Foundation.
- Healthcare Navigators: This initiative supports uninsured North Texans as they compare 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 last fiscal year, navigators assisted more than 52,000 North Texans as they signed up for health coverage.
Doorways to Health: This community partnership, funded by the Kimberly-Clark Foundation, brings together Social Innovation Accelerator alumni Abide Women’s Health Services and Delighted to Doula to improve the maternal health outcomes of Black women by offering resources that include home visiting and holistic maternal healthcare services.
Together, we’re changing lives
How does one organization impact nearly 1.6 million North Texans in a single year? By uniting individual change-seekers, corporate partners, community-based organizations, school districts and more and, together, improving access to education, income and health. Here are just a few highlights from the last year:
- Nineteen passionate entrepreneurs graduated from United Way’s Social Innovation Lab, including 10 Accelerator alumni and nine Incubator alumni. Over the past decade, our social innovation alumni have gone on to serve more than 345,000 North Texans.
- We launched a new Southern Dallas Thrives Fund, supported in part by current and retired PepsiCo Foods North America employees, to address short- and long-term challenges in the southern sector. Together with PepsiCo, we’ve set an ambitious goal of raising $20 million for the fund — and progress toward that goal is well underway.
- We continued our three-year investment in 144 diverse community impact partners whose work drives progress toward our Aspire United 2030 community goals. Through 2025, we will invest $45 million in these local organizations, a total that includes a recent, transformational $5 million gift from longtime United Way leaders and supporters Tom and Karen Falk.
- We invested millions in funding in United Way targeted impact initiatives. This includes generous $1 million gifts from Arcosa, Bank of America, Boston Consulting Group, Celanese and Vistra Energy, which are driving significant momentum as we march toward our centennial year. I’m proud that in the last year Comerica also donated $1 million in support of many targeted United Way initiatives, including a $450,000 investment into 13 impactful local organizations to support economic inclusion for all.
Driving change through the centennial CEO Advisory Council
Another point of pride from the last year is the formation of the CEO Advisory Council, which provides a forum for North Texas CEOs to bring new insights to United Way of Metropolitan Dallas’ community impact work by stimulating robust conversations with actionable results.
Fueled by the passion, expertise and insights of dozens of local business leaders, the council provides diverse thinking and strategic networking to guide the entire Live United movement toward our collective 10-year Aspire United 2030 goals. I’m proud to serve as co-chair of the CEO Advisory Council along with Steven Williams, CEO of PepsiCo Foods North America, and Jean Savage, last year’s United Way campaign chair and CEO and president of Trinity Industries. View the full list of CEO Advisory Council members at unitedwaydallas.org/centennial.
A bright future for North Texas
Thank you to everyone who made this past year an incredible success. As United Way campaign chair, I witnessed firsthand the lasting impact we can make when we work together.
I’m continually inspired by the extraordinary change-seekers who serve North Texas by donating their time and talent to United Way.
United Way’s Boards of Directors play a significant role in driving lasting change across the community. I’d like to extend warm congratulations and gratitude to our Board Chairs, Steven Williams and Terri West, chair of the Texas Instruments Foundation. They have a level of vision, dedication and passion for this work that positions United Way for incredible success.
For the past 99 years, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas has been a pillar of our community, creating access and opportunity for all North Texans to thrive. And, this year has been especially meaningful to me as Comerica is also celebrating a major milestone — our 175th anniversary.
As I prepare to hand the reins over later this fall to Steven Williams, United Way’s next annual campaign chair, I’m confident that our momentum and impact will only build as we kick off United Way’s centennial.
The Live United movement will celebrate United Way’s centennial in 2025, and reflecting on the combined impact since its founding is incredibly inspiring. I encourage everyone to find their favorite way to give back — whether by donating, advocating or volunteering — and join us in changing the lives of nearly 1.6 million North Texans every year.
Visit unitedwaydallas.org to get started.
With gratitude,
Curt Farmer
Chairman, President & CEO, Comerica Incorporated and Comerica Bank
2023-2024 United Way of Metropolitan Dallas Campaign Chair