The grandchildren of Caroline Rose Hunt have committed a lead gift of $5 million to United Way Foundation of Metropolitan Dallas in honor of Hunt and her longstanding support and dedication to United Way and its Foundation. The Unite Forever Campaign was launched in February to raise $100 million for the United Way Foundation of Metropolitan Dallas to transform the lives and preserve the futures of North Texans.
“As we look to United Way’s century mark and beyond, our past 90 years of service energizes our vision of the future,” said Jennifer Sampson, CEO and President of United Way of Metropolitan Dallas. “Each generation in our history has been led by change makers like Caroline Rose Hunt, who not only believed change was possible, but who made it happen. We are grateful to the Hunt family for this generous gift to honor Caroline, and unite this community in creating secure futures for generations to come.”
Caroline Rose Hunt has been involved with United Way for more than 50 years, starting when she went door to door soliciting donations. She served as co-chair of United Way’s Alexis de Tocqueville Giving Society in 1990 and 1994, and is currently honorary vice-chair of the United Way Foundation of Metropolitan Dallas. She also serves as an honorary chair of the Unite Forever Campaign, alongside Lyda Hill, Sally and Forrest Hoglund and Margot and Ross Perot. In 2013, Hunt received the J. Erik Jonsson Award, United Way’s most prestigious honor.
“After the war, I walked my neighborhood for the Dallas Community Chest before it became United Way,” said Caroline Rose Hunt. “I have served the United Way Foundation Dallas since its founding in 1999. I believe in United Way because it is unique, comprehensive and effective in making our community a better place to live.”
“Our grandmother has been an extraordinary example of volunteerism and hard work,” said Haven Sands Heinrichs, Trustee of the Rosewood Foundation. “To show our family’s love and appreciation for all she has done for United Way and the community, we are making a legacy gift in her honor to the United Way Foundation of Metropolitan Dallas. We are delighted to carry the torch, and hope to inspire the next generation in our community to get involved.”
Hunt's grandchildren joined her at a special Legacy Society event to announce the tribute gift at the Highland Park home of Carolyn and Karl Rathjen Tuesday evening. The Legacy Society honors the generosity and vision of those who are investing in the future of Dallas through gifts to the United Way Foundation of Metropolitan Dallas.
Led by co-chairs Ruth Sharp Altshuler, Ed Galante and Roger Staubach, the Unite Forever Campaign will ensure a more predictable, sustainable, and stable future for North Texas by ensuring operational and grant support for three critical areas: education, income and health. By building a strong financial base for United Way to withstand economic and annual fund fluctuations, it will grow investments in strategic partnerships beyond the parameters of the traditional three-year community impact grant cycle. Guaranteeing long-term resources for the future, the Unite Forever Campaign offers the flexibility to fund new and emerging community-wide solutions. Generous donors, including the Hunt grandchildren, have already committed $31 million toward the campaign’s goal.
“United Way of Metropolitan Dallas has developed technologies and strategies unlike those of any United Way in the country to identify solutions, engage volunteers and re-shape the future,” says Curt FitzGerald, United Way Foundation Board Chair. “Gifts provided to the Foundation will enable United Way to respond to evolving needs year after year, strengthening fiscal stability and a competitive edge. This is the time to take action to secure the future of Dallas.”
Unite Forever Campaign donors of $1 million or more include:
- Anonymous Donors
- Diane and Hal Brierley
- Peggy Dear
- Cathie and Ed Galante
- Cecily and Scott Gooch
- Lyda Hill
- Caroline Rose Hunt / The Rosewood Foundation
- The Grandchildren of Caroline Rose Hunt
- The Eugene McDermott Foundation
- Brandy and Bill Morrison
- Margot and Ross Perot / The Perot Foundation
- Barbara and Stan Rabin
- Betty and Gerard Regard
- Jennifer and Edward Sampson
- The Sands Foundation