What is Community?

I grew up in a small town. Yes, one of those small towns where everyone knows everyone and no one knew more than my neighbor, Mrs. Hoeffner. Mrs. Hoeffner saw everything from her living room window. She knew when the kids in our neighborhood were arguing or a few minutes late getting home from a date. And, yes, she called our parents and told them. She baked cookies for us on Halloween and called parents if there was any “meanness”. We did NOT like Mrs. Hoeffner because she was constantly watching us. Our parents LOVED Mrs. Hoeffner because she was constantly watching us.

Do you know your neighbors? I don’t. I’ll admit it. I’ve lived in the same house for almost thirty years. I know two of my neighbors by name and could probably call them in an emergency – if I had their phone numbers!  If someone in my neighborhood fell or was ill and couldn’t call for help, I wouldn’t know it. I’m not sure that I am attentive enough to notice if someone’s mail is piling up or their car hasn’t moved in a while. Would you?  It’s not that I don’t care about my neighborhood. I have just allowed myself to get caught up in my own life of work and family that I haven’t made the time to reach out.

When people think of working in the community, they often think they must contribute a large sum of money or spend hours volunteering. While donating money and volunteering are wonderful and necessary for our community to thrive, every action big or small matters. What could you do in your circle of influence or your neighborhood to improve the lives of those around you? I’m thinking of organizing a neighborhood picnic or dog-walking group. Maybe that will help me get to know my neighbors better. It might even lead to a discussion of neighbors that we never see or issues in our neighborhood. Maybe that one little spark will grow to include more neighborhoods and spread to the community as a whole.

What will you do?

Our mission at NTAUW is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of community. Community includes every person.  We believe that the way to tackle society’s problems begins with one caring person reaching out. We hope you will join us.

-Carol Marlar, Executive Director

2024-2025 RFP Applications now open!

We are excited to announce that the 2024-2025 funding applications are now open. To be eligible for consideration, the applicant/organization must be a 501(c)3 organization located within the NTAUW Service Area. Proof of eligibility must be attached to this application, or it will not be considered.

View the recording of the Grant Seeker’s workshop here

Passcode: a$^8wc^0

All applications should be submitted to funding@ntauw.org and are due Wednesday, November 15th.

View the Revenue Worksheet by clicking here

Join the Ambasador Team

The 2023-2024 United Way Ambassador applications are now open. Ambassadors will assist the North Texas Area United Way (NTAUW) in building long-lasting relationships with workplaces, organizations and individuals in Wichita County. Ambassadors will gain an understanding of needs in our community and United Way’s efforts to build a stronger and healthier community for all to thrive. In addition, Ambassadors will manage relationships with 2 companies/organizations and assist with planning and implementing successful workplace campaigns

When selected for the Ambassador Program, you will be an advocate for hundreds of local families and individuals in need of services and programs offered by our 16 Funded Partners. Being an Ambassador for United Way means sharpening your leadership skills, forging strong community connections and being a part of something much larger than any one person or organization.

If the 2023-2024 Ambassador role sounds like a good fit for you, please complete the application and return it to North Texas Area United Way (3401B Armory Road) or scan/email the application to dsmith@ntauw.org

Become a United Way Ambassador!

The 2022-2023 United Way Ambassador applications are now open. Ambassadors will assist the North Texas Area United Way (NTAUW) in building long-lasting relationships with workplaces, organizations and individuals in Wichita County. Ambassadors will gain an understanding of needs in our community and United Way’s efforts to build a stronger and healthier community for all to thrive. In addition, Ambassadors will manage relationships with 2 companies/organizations and assist with planning and implementing successful workplace campaigns

If selected for the Ambassador Program, you will be an advocate for hundreds of local families and individuals in need of services and programs offered by our 16 Funded Partners. Being an Ambassador for United Way means sharpening your leadership skills, forging strong community connections and being a part of something much larger than any one person or organization.

If the 2022-2023 Ambassador role sounds like a good fit for you, please complete the application and return it to North Texas Area United Way (3401B Armory Road) or scan/email the application to dsmith@ntauw.org by April 26, 2022.

NTAUW 2022-2023 Request for Proposal

Applications for Funding requests for the 2022-2023 fiscal year are open and will close on February 11, 2022.

To be eligible for consideration, the applicant must be a 501 (c)3 organization located within the NTAUW service area/ Proof of eligibility must be attached to this application or it will not be considered.

Completed Applications should be sent via email to cmarlar@ntauw.org

Apply now

Cheers to 100 Years


In January 1922, community leaders Mayor W.D. Cline, Hubert Harrison, Mrs. C.R. Hartsook, Mrs. Frank Kell, B.F. Johnson, T.B. Smock and D.M. Perkins met to examine ways that the community could actively support non-profit organizations. From this meeting, North Texas Area United Way ,formerly known as the Municipal Board of Charity/The Community Chest, was formed. 100 years later, millions of dollars have been raised and thousands have volunteered to make our community better in the areas of education, income and health.

North Texas Area United Way’s (NTAUW) staff and board are excited to kick off the weeklong celebration with a ribbon Cutting at 10:30am Thursday, March 3 at the Museum of North Texas History. Following the ribbon cutting, The Museum of North Texas History will display United Way historical materials and regalia. The items will also be on exhibit during regular museum hours. All are invited to browse and learn more about the history of NTAUW.

“We are deeply grateful for the privilege of serving our community for the last one hundred years. We remain committed to our mission of improving lives through the caring power of community. We pledge to support nonprofits and initiatives that create opportunities for everyone to thrive. We look forward to the next one hundred years!” - Carol Marlar, Executive Director

The weekly events are as follows:

Thursday, March 3 Ribbon Cutting

Monday, March 7 Volunteer Experience

Tuesday, March 8 Lunch & Learn

Thursday, March 10 Cheers to 100 Years gala (invite only)

CLIFF Dashboard Helps Texans Fight Benefit Cliffs

United Ways of Texas, The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and Raise Texas partnered to bring the CLIFF (Career Ladder Identifier and Financial Forecaster) Dashboard to Texas. The CLIFF Dashboard was developed to help Texans make informed career decisions to overcome “benefits cliffs” as they move forward.

-Benefit cliffs occur when career advancement puts a family above the income eligibility threshold for public assistance programs. Due to the gradual or sudden loss of these programs, career advancement can actually worsen a family’s financial situation

-This tool will help hardworking Texans plan for income changes as they advance along rewarding career pathways. The tool can also provide incentives for individuals to invest in themselves.
The CLIFF Dashboard can be used to assist Texans in making informed career decisions to overcome benefits cliffs.

The most recent ALICE (Alice Limited, Income Constrained but Employed) report data has been integrated into the tool to highlight the Household Survival Budget and to help define the budget threshold. This tool can be used in several ways – from one-on-one career coaching to identifying target populations for services.

Learn more about how to use the dashboard here: https://lnkd.in/eeUayY7e