Rising to the Challenge: How the United Way of Denton County Unites and Supports the Community

The United Way — it’s perhaps one of the most well-known nonprofits in the world, yet few of us know just how much this amazing organization does or how hard they work behind the scenes to make a difference in our communities. Take United Way of Denton County for example. As a locally governed affiliate of the global United Way network, the organization has spent more than 70 years working in Denton County to identify the community’s most pressing needs and to seek comprehensive solutions to address them. 

In 2025 alone, the United Way of Denton County touched the lives of 55,640 people throughout our community. Yet this feat isn’t accomplished by just one organization, and that’s the point. This long-standing local nonprofit brings together conscientious donors, businesses, volunteers, governments, and partner agencies across Denton County for the singular purpose of improving life for our residents. 

“We’re not trying to boil the ocean,” says Gary Henderson, the president and CEO of the United Way of Denton. “But by partnering with other agencies, we can mobilize community resources so that everyone can thrive.”

Guided by Firsthand Experience

With decades of experience in the nonprofit field, Gary was attracted to the United Way because of the umbrella of services the organization provides. Before he took his current role, he served as the CEO for Communities in Schools of North Texas, where he saw how at-risk students were the victims of a ripple effect caused by underlying issues. Factors such as housing insecurity, food scarcity, and mental health issues all contribute to a systemic problem that affects the community as a whole. 

Gary realized that simply addressing one issue alone doesn’t necessarily fix the root of the problem. Through partner agencies, impact grants, direct services, and collaborative initiatives, United Way of Denton County helps fill service gaps and coordinate long-term solutions for the community. These collective efforts help support children and families, veterans, people experiencing homelessness, and residents affected by mental health challenges, while also helping connect neighbors to local resources.

“As Denton County continues to grow, we all need to work together,” he emphasized, pointing to the fact that as of 2025, Denton County is now home to over a million residents. 

Getting to the Root of the Problem

Identifying who is at risk is a challenge unto itself. One of the methods the United Way employs is called the ALICE concept, an acronym which stands for “asset limited, income constrained, employed.” This model indicates that 1 in 3 households in Denton County fell below the sustainable survival rate. Single moms and seniors represent the most fragile households of this demographic. 

“When we brought the ALICE concept to Denton County, we started to see the complexity of the issue,” Henderson shared. “Imagine being a single mom who works all day to care for children, pay rent, healthcare, groceries, and other necessities. It’s not hard to see how one misfortune could be disastrous.”

The organization also recognized the correlation of childhood literacy to graduation and incarceration rates. Children who aren’t proficient in reading by 3rd grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school. This remains one of the primary reasons the United Way is so dedicated to supporting youth and providing resources for at-risk and economically disadvantaged students.

United is the Way

By acting as a backbone organization for collaborative efforts when no single nonprofit can solve an issue alone, the United Way of Denton County rallies and aligns community stakeholders around needs identified through their local research. Through their efforts, the United Way of Denton County is providing not only clarity but something even more gravely needed—hope.

“We need to deliver programs in a non-traditional way,” Gary said. 

By strengthening local resilience, advancing health, supporting youth, and building financial security, the United Way of Denton County helps residents navigate challenging situations and builds a stronger community through shared action. For this reason, you are encouraged to join their cause, either by donating or volunteering in a variety of ways. 

On September 10, 2026, the organization will host the Rise & UNITE Community Impact Breakfast designed to bring together local businesses, community leaders, and neighbors who want to take action on finding solutions. If you are interested in getting involved, visit unitedwaydenton.org/Breakfast