Who we are & What we do

United Ways of Texas (UWT) was created in 1980 through the merger of several organizations with long histories of supporting the charitable sector since the early 1900s. After more than a century of dedicated community service, UWT remains steadfast in its vision of being united for a future where all Texans thrive. Today, our mission continues to be centered on community as we work towards strengthening and supporting local United Ways in Texas.

As the state association for Texas United Ways, UWT builds upon the power of statewide collaboration by equipping nearly 70 member organizations with resources to achieve their missions and meet their communities’ most pressing needs. Our work focuses on both building local United Way organizational capacity and enhancing the impact of local United Ways in their respective communities. 

As an additional strategy to help enhance United Way in the Texas community, UWT focuses on systems change through policy and advocacy. During the Legislative Session, we bring the United Way voice to the Texas Capitol through our public policy and advocacy efforts. Likewise, we actively work with our members during the interim to ensure their voices help inform lawmakers as well as the policy priorities of the next legislative session. UWT also develops and manages several state-level collaboratives which provide best practices and resources: Start Smart Texas (a learning community for early childhood collaboratives across the state), the Texas Nonprofit Initiative (focused on advancing the organizational capacity of and advocacy for the Texas nonprofit sector), and ALICE (a data project focused on raising awareness of the growing number of working Texans who struggle to make ends meet).

Image of Member United Ways and Their Communities

 

Our Vision

United for a Future where all Texans thrive.
 

Our Mission

To strengthen and support the work and impact of local United Ways in Texas.
 

Equity Statement

The word “United” in our name of United Way means many things to many people. At United Ways of Texas (UWT), we believe that to truly “Live United”, our communities must come together, and in doing so we achieve more than any one of us can accomplish in isolation. As Texans, we are better when we work together to confront our toughest community challenges, rather than letting obstacles and differences divide us.

As a membership organization, UWT leads and supports our diverse network of United Ways across the state as they tackle complex, local issues. Texas United Ways bring their community’s human capital and financial resources together to promote the well-being of all Texans, especially those that have been disproportionally and historically underserved, marginalized, and overlooked. United Ways of Texas is committed to supporting the innovative work of our members and will continue striving toward a vision of being united for a future where ALL Texans thrive.

 

Our Commitment to Our Donors

We will not sell, share or trade our donors' names or personal information with any other entity, nor send mailings to our donors on behalf of other organizations.  This policy applies to all information received by United Ways of Texas, on any platform, as well as any electronic, written, or oral communications.