“Houstonians showed once again their tremendous compassion to do something extraordinary for our neighbors. During this year’s campaign we saw time and time again that Houstonians believe in the importance of community and giving generously of themselves to help lift others. It is humbling to see how big-hearted Houstonians are,” said Rich Kruger, 2011-12 campaign chairman and president of ExxonMobil Production Company. “Thanks to the hard work of our volunteers and supporters in exceeding this year’s goal, we’ve helped give our neighbors the hope, encouragement and support to make life better.”
Key to this year’s success was a 7 percent increase from 12,625 individuals personally contributing $1,000 or more. “The dedicated leadership donors collectively gave over $34.8 million; these donors fuel the work of our United Way of Greater Houston,” noted Kruger.
He added that another key development was the addition of two companies, Cameron and LyondellBassell Industries, to United Way’s Million Dollar Circle, a group of exceptional companies whose campaigns exceed $1 million.
“We are so very thankful today, and every day, for the tremendous support of our donors. Because of them, we continue to see the possibilities are endless for improving the lives of countless children, families, seniors and individuals in our community,” said Anna M. Babin, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Houston.
Campaign Highlights:
- Twelve local companies contributed a million dollars or more. The largest, ExxonMobil, contributed $13 million, followed by Shell Oil Company and Motiva Enterprises LLC with $4.6 million and ConocoPhillips with $4 million. Others contributing at least 1 million dollars include: Anadarko Petroleum Corporation ($2.1 million); CenterPoint Energy ($1.9 million); FMC Technologies ($1.7 million); H-E-B ($1 million); Marathon Oil Corporation ($1.03 million); National Oilwell Varco, Inc. ($1.96 million); and Spectra Energy ($1.5 million). Two new companies joined the ranks: Cameron ($1.45 million); and LyondellBassell Industries ($1.03 million).
- The top increases in company giving this year include Cameron, LyondellBassell Industries, FMC Technologies, ExxonMobil, National Oilwell Varco, BHP Billiton, Memorial Hermann, BP America, Spectra Energy, Hines, American General -VALIC-Western National and the Houston Texans.
- The Top 100 Companies raised more than $63 million, representing 80 percent of the total dollars raised during the 2011-12 Community Campaign.
- Led by Jim Postl, retired president and CEO of Pennzoil Quaker State Company, and Alie Pruner of Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co., Inc., the Alexis de Tocqueville Society (ADT) members collectively contributed more than $15.4 million to this year’s annual campaign—an 8 percent increase in giving. The Society added 140 new members this year, bringing their total to 867. Twenty-nine families gave at the “Benefactor” ($100,000 plus) and “Visionary” ($200,000 plus) levels, including five new benefactors and one new visionary. ExxonMobil had the most ADT members with 137 employees donating $10,000 or more for a total of more than $1.9 million.
- United Way of Greater Houston Women’s Initiative, under the leadership of Jane Jones of Service Corporation International and Lynn Mathre of Asset Management Advisors Inc., was up 9%, contributing more than $4.59 million this year. There are 217 Alexis de Tocqueville Society Women’s Initiative members, of whom 32 are new. This year’s Women’s Initiative has 800 members in total.
- More than 2,600 United Way Young Leaders (individuals 45 years and under giving $1,000 or more) collectively gave over $4.8 million, an increase of 4%.
- In its tenth year, the United Way Law Firm Initiative, led by Maria Wyckoff Boyce of Baker Botts and Mark Duenser of ExxonMobil, contributed more than $3.1 million this year.
- More than 12,625 individuals contributed as leadership donors ($1,000 or more), collectively donating $34.8 million, up 7%.
- The employees of United Way of Greater Houston affiliate agencies contributed over $1 million to the United Way campaign this year.
- Over and above their generous annual campaigns, Spectra Energy, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, Anadarko, Bank of America, CenterPoint Energy, FMC Technologies and Williams took on the additional responsibility as the 2011-12 United Way Caring Champions by sponsoring campaign activities, visibility and marketing efforts.
Community Impact
For 90 years, United Way of Greater Houston has brought our community together as the leader and trusted partner in improving lives: touching one of every two lives in our community; tackling key community social issues; and making Houston a better place to live and work. United Way community impact embraces the entire circle of life. Examples include:
- An all-time high of 922,700 calls, a 15 percent increase over 2011, were answered by 2-1-1 Texas/United Way HELPLINE specialists connecting callers to helpful resources;
- More than 455,000 local kids received a stronger foundation through quality child care, after school programs, mentoring, youth programs and more;
- United Way Bright Beginnings, the innovative early childhood education program, celebrated 10 years of helping children achieve developmental milestones and enter school ready to succeed. United Way Bright Beginnings students performed better than their peers on 45 out of 51 achievement tests;
- 790,000 individuals benefited from services making families and neighborhoods stronger with parenting education, counseling, financial literacy, and health clinic visits;
- 80,000 seniors were able to remain independent with meals, transportation, help with daily living and more; and
- More than 690,000 individuals were helped after natural disasters, violence, job loss and other emergencies.
- Contributions during the annual campaign will help children, families, seniors and individuals rebuilding their lives.
(Source: United Way of Greater Houston)