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United Way for Greater Austin & United Way of Williamson County are joining forces!

We are excited to announce that United Way for Greater Austin and United Way of Williamson County are joining forces! Our two organizations have signed a management contract with intent to merge, and we are engaged in a due diligence process as the final step in the merger process. 

Together, we will have one mission: Bringing people, ideas, and resources together to fight poverty in our community. 

“As the Austin metro area grows, the boundaries between Travis and Williamson counties continue to blend; many people work in one and live in the other,” said David C. Smith, CEO of United Way for Greater Austin. “For our communities biggest challenges, more and more people are finding regional solutions optimal. This merger will help us better and more efficiently serve the Greater Austin community, while expanding and deepening our impact with a regional approach. Together, we can do more.”

The Boards of Directors for both organizations approved the move in June 2021. The due diligence process is expected to be complete by the end of the year, with a further vote by both organizations’ Boards at that time. Until then, United Way for Greater Austin has a managing agreement with United Way of Williamson County and is thoughtfully integrating the two organizations into one.

“Integrating the services and expertise of our two organizations will help us better and more efficiently serve our community, both in Williamson County and the region,” said Jodee O’Brien, former CEO of United Way of Williamson County and current Director of Transitions & Advancement. “This is an exciting growth opportunity for us both.”

Currently, both organizations offer services that:

  • Ensure families with young children are financially stable
  • Provide quality early learning opportunities for children and students
  • Connect people to resources for food, health, housing, transportation, and more

There are no plans for eliminating programs, although it is envisioned that the merger will allow for programs to be upgraded, updated, and strengthened.

Currently, both organizations are investing in two autonomous infrastructures. A merger will enable duplicate functions – such as HR, Finance, and Operations – to be streamlined into one. Those resources could then be invested in other functions and expanded programming.

David C. Smith, CEO of United Way for Greater Austin, will be the CEO of the newly merged organization. The expanded organization will be named United Way for Greater Austin, with a mission to “bring people, ideas, and resources together to fight poverty in our community.”

The merger plan was first explored in 2019 and supported by Austin Together Fund.

If you have any questions about this exciting news, please contact Ashley Haustein, United Way for Greater Austin’s Director of Marketing and Communications, at Ashley.Haustein@uwatx.org.


About United Way for Greater Austin

United Way for Greater Austin brings people, ideas, and resources together to fight poverty in our community. We address complex community issues by investing in the building blocks of opportunity that every person – and every community – needs to thrive: education, health, and financial stability.

United Way unites the community around collective goals, strategically invests in partners working to achieve those goals, and executes proven programs aligned with those goals. We lead systemic change that increases opportunity for people with low income in Greater Austin — so they can reach their full potential.

Learn more at unitedwayaustin.org.

About United Way of Williamson County

United Way of Williamson County unites people and organizations to build stronger communities and improve lives. We are working to address root causes and provide long-term solutions to the obstacles facing our communities; that is why we are investing in education, financial stability, health and basic needs. These are the pathways to a better life for many families struggling to improve life for themselves and their families.

Learn more at www.unitedwaywilco.org.

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