United Way of Greater Houston

(HOUSTON --- Thurs., Feb. 25, 2016)  The Montgomery County United Way and United Way of

Greater Houston will merge to create one regional United Way, beginning on March 1, 2016.  

The merger, supported by the organizations' respective boards of trustees, was approved by

donors of each United Way at separate meetings held in Montgomery County on Wednesday

Leaders from both United Ways cite several reasons for the merger. Chief among them is the

ability to serve more people more efficiently by making greater use of the strengths and

resources of each organization. Recognizing the region's dynamic growth, the merger also

creates greater convenience for donors, many of whom live in one county and work in another,

and are looking for a seamless way to support the quality of life throughout the area.

"We are extremely proud of the long, successful 60-year legacy of the Montgomery County

United Way and we believe this change will enable us to serve even more people in the county,"

said Christi Thoms-Knox, chair of the Montgomery County United Way board of trustees. "We

are very grateful to our volunteers, donors and staff for the valuable time they spent carefully

studying this merger and working diligently through the process."

After a transition period, the new regional organization will be called United Way of Greater

Houston. The headquarters will be located in Houston and will maintain a strong local presence

in Montgomery County with the United Way Center in Montgomery County serving as a regional

hub for community impact work, fundraising and the Day of Caring volunteer program. The

center will continue to house some agency partners and serve as a home for community and

agency collaboration. As part of the merger, a Montgomery County Regional Council formed of

volunteer leaders will be responsible to assess local needs and make funding recommendations

for services in Montgomery County.  All current Montgomery County United Way board

members have been invited to serve on the regional council.  Additionally, four current

Montgomery County United Way board members will join the United Way of Greater Houston

"This is the strategic blending of two very strong, accomplished United Way organizations for

the good of the community," said Marc Watts, chair of the United Way of Greater Houston board

of trustees. "We know that, working together, we can create a stronger future by doing more

good for more people and continuing to grow the donor and community support that will enable

United Way to improve lives throughout the region."

According to the leadership of both organizations, the staff will all be retained as part of the

Both leaders said another benefit of combining the organizations will be the opportunity to

introduce successful service initiatives from each United Way to other areas of the region where

they are needed. Examples include Montgomery County United Way's Healthy Living Alliance,

which combats obesity and promotes a healthier lifestyle; United Way of Greater Houston's

Bright Beginnings early education program; United Way THRIVE, which fosters family financial

stability; and 2-1-1 Texas/United Way HELPLINE telephone assistance services.

In addition to Montgomery County, the new regional United Way of Greater Houston serves the

Bay Area and Fort Bend, Harris and Waller counties.  Last year, the combined revenue of

United Way of Greater Houston and the Montgomery County United Way was $85 million.  Both

organizations share a strong commitment to being a trusted partner in improving lives, tackling

key community social issues and making a lasting difference.

For more information on the services and community impact of United Way, visit

###

For more than 90 years, United Way of Greater Houston has been a leader and trusted partner in

improving lives, tackling key community social issues and making a lasting difference. Last year, United

Way of Greater Houston touched the lives of more than 2.4 million of our neighbors in the Bay Area and

in Fort Bend, Harris, Montgomery and Waller counties. United Way focuses on strengthening our

community by developing children and youth to their full potential, creating strong families and safe

neighborhoods, sustaining senior independence and rebuilding people's lives in times of crisis. United

Way of Greater Houston is the best way to make the biggest difference in our community, changing

Houston for good.  For more information, please visit, www.unitedwayhouston.org.

(HOUSTON --- Thurs., Feb. 25, 2016)  The Montgomery County United Way and United Way of

Greater Houston will merge to create one regional United Way, beginning on March 1, 2016.  

The merger, supported by the organizations' respective boards of trustees, was approved by

donors of each United Way at separate meetings held in Montgomery County on Wednesday

Leaders from both United Ways cite several reasons for the merger. Chief among them is the

ability to serve more people more efficiently by making greater use of the strengths and

resources of each organization. Recognizing the region's dynamic growth, the merger also

creates greater convenience for donors, many of whom live in one county and work in another,

and are looking for a seamless way to support the quality of life throughout the area.

"We are extremely proud of the long, successful 60-year legacy of the Montgomery County

United Way and we believe this change will enable us to serve even more people in the county,"

said Christi Thoms-Knox, chair of the Montgomery County United Way board of trustees. "We

are very grateful to our volunteers, donors and staff for the valuable time they spent carefully

studying this merger and working diligently through the process."

After a transition period, the new regional organization will be called United Way of Greater

Houston. The headquarters will be located in Houston and will maintain a strong local presence

in Montgomery County with the United Way Center in Montgomery County serving as a regional

hub for community impact work, fundraising and the Day of Caring volunteer program. The

center will continue to house some agency partners and serve as a home for community and

agency collaboration. As part of the merger, a Montgomery County Regional Council formed of

volunteer leaders will be responsible to assess local needs and make funding recommendations

for services in Montgomery County.  All current Montgomery County United Way board

members have been invited to serve on the regional council.  Additionally, four current

Montgomery County United Way board members will join the United Way of Greater Houston

"This is the strategic blending of two very strong, accomplished United Way organizations for

the good of the community," said Marc Watts, chair of the United Way of Greater Houston board

of trustees. "We know that, working together, we can create a stronger future by doing more

good for more people and continuing to grow the donor and community support that will enable

United Way to improve lives throughout the region."

According to the leadership of both organizations, the staff will all be retained as part of the

Both leaders said another benefit of combining the organizations will be the opportunity to

introduce successful service initiatives from each United Way to other areas of the region where

they are needed. Examples include Montgomery County United Way's Healthy Living Alliance,

which combats obesity and promotes a healthier lifestyle; United Way of Greater Houston's

Bright Beginnings early education program; United Way THRIVE, which fosters family financial

stability; and 2-1-1 Texas/United Way HELPLINE telephone assistance services.

In addition to Montgomery County, the new regional United Way of Greater Houston serves the

Bay Area and Fort Bend, Harris and Waller counties.  Last year, the combined revenue of

United Way of Greater Houston and the Montgomery County United Way was $85 million.  Both

organizations share a strong commitment to being a trusted partner in improving lives, tackling

key community social issues and making a lasting difference.

For more information on the services and community impact of United Way, visit

###

For more than 90 years, United Way of Greater Houston has been a leader and trusted partner in

improving lives, tackling key community social issues and making a lasting difference. Last year, United

Way of Greater Houston touched the lives of more than 2.4 million of our neighbors in the Bay Area and

in Fort Bend, Harris, Montgomery and Waller counties. United Way focuses on strengthening our

community by developing children and youth to their full potential, creating strong families and safe

neighborhoods, sustaining senior independence and rebuilding people's lives in times of crisis. United

Way of Greater Houston is the best way to make the biggest difference in our community, changing

Houston for good.  For more information, please visit, www.unitedwayhouston.org.