United Way of Metro Dallas cites ambitious 2030 goals as it kicks off annual fundraising campaign

The United Way of Metropolitan Dallas has announced its goals for the upcoming decade as it prepares to kick off its annual fundraising drive Monday, chaired by AT&T Business CEO Anne Chow.

“United Way has an unwavering vision that all North Texans, regardless of race or ZIP code – should have the opportunity and access to achieve their full potential,” said Jennifer Sampson, the agency’s president and CEO.

The United Way of Metropolitan Dallas spent 18 months working with civic and community partners to develop its “Aspire United 2030” goals for North Texas, which target what Sampson called “the building blocks that enable citizens to lead productive lives” – education, income and health.

Those goals include a 50 percent increase in students reading at grade level by third grade; a 20 percent increase in young adults earning a living wage; and raising to 96 percent the number of residents with access to affordable health care insurance.

“It’s more important than ever for corporations, constituents and all community members to join the movement and drive lasting change that benefits all residents of the North Texas region,” Chow said in a statement issued by United Way. “Only by working together can we address and overcome the systemic issues that hold back underserved groups, particularly minority populations.”

In connection with its 2020-21 campaign, the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas will host a panel discussion Monday with corporate leaders about the importance of collective action to create lasting impact. The panel will include David Park, senior vice president of Atmos Energy; Curt Morgan, president and CEO of Vistra Corp.; Steven Williams, CEO of PepsiCo Foods North America; and Jim Hinton, CEO of Baylor Scott & White.

The campaign kicks off with a $12 million head start in corporate donations, including contributions from Atmos, Vistra, AT&T and Kimberly-Clark Corporation.