Our Mission
Caring for Our Community by Partnering With You
What We Do
The United Way of Smith County inspires generosity by encouraging individuals and businesses to come together in giving back to help those less fortunate in our community. Giving a little goes a long way.
Each year, funds are distributed to address four areas of impact:
Youth Opportunity
Healthy Community
Financial Security
Community Resiliency
Our History
In 1940, a group of Tyler, Texas leaders came together at the historic Blackstone Hotel in downtown Tyler to meet about joining a national movement to establish a Community Chest in Tyler. The need for a Tyler Community Chest came about as business leaders recovered from the Great Depression. During its first annual campaign, the Tyler Community Chest aimed to raise $20,000, and they eventually raised it with the help of the City of Tyler and a few local businesses and individuals. By 1970, the Tyler Community Chest transformed into the United Way.
Today, the United Way of Smith County remains a pillar of the Tyler-area community, giving everyone a chance to make an impact. The United Way has invested more than $80 million back into programs and services that help our most vulnerable neighbors.
Nationally, the United Way is the largest non-governmental funder of health and human services in the world. Each Local United Way is autonomous and governed by a local volunteer board of directors.
