United Way of Grayson County

What United Way of Grayson County does

United Way of Grayson County, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation headquartered at 713 E. Brockett Street in Sherman, Texas, that functions as a locally governed chapter of United Way Worldwide. Founded in 1942 as the Sherman Community Chest and reorganized under the United Way brand in 1974, the organization mobilizes individual donations, corporate sponsorships (Pillar Sponsors for 2025-2026 include First United Bank and TekWav), grant funding channeled through its Community Investment Process, and Cy Pres awards from legal settlements. It awards grants to 20+ qualifying 501(c)(3) partner agencies in Grayson County and also operates its own direct-service programs.

The organization runs seven core programs serving Grayson County residents. Early-childhood and family programs include Tiny T.O.E.S. (Parent Educator home visits connecting families with newborns to community resources), the Imagination Library of Grayson County (a Dolly Parton Imagination Library affiliate that has mailed over 40,000 free books to children birth-to-five in its first two years), and the Grayson County Diaper Bank (monthly distribution to WIC-income-qualified families). Community-awareness programs include ALICE (research and advocacy for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed households) and the Summer Internship 2026 program (a 32-hour, one-week intensive for high school students). Operational programs include Volunteer Coordination and Community Investment / Grants, which funds local agencies addressing housing, food insecurity, transportation, medical/mental health, and childcare. The organization also runs the 2-1-1 direct-services hotline.

United Way of Grayson County generates revenue from individual donations (one-time and recurring via Zeffy), corporate sponsorships, Cy Pres awards, and grant funding. It maintains a 17-member active Board of Directors, multiple Lifetime Board members, and an array of community committees. There is no proprietary technology platform — the technology stack consists of standard nonprofit SaaS (Zeffy for donations, Mailchimp for email, Google Forms for applications, SignUp.com for volunteer scheduling). As a chapter of United Way Worldwide, the organization pays a 1% membership fee while retaining independent local governance.

Name

United Way of Grayson County

Legal name

United Way of Grayson County, Inc.

Website

https://unitedwaygrayson.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1942

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

United Way of Grayson County is a locally governed 501(c)(3) nonprofit chapter of United Way Worldwide, headquartered in Sherman, Texas, that funds 20+ partner agencies and operates direct-service programs including Tiny T.O.E.S. home visits, Imagination Library book gifting, the Grayson County Diaper Bank, ALICE advocacy, and a teen internship program for Grayson County residents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (624110), Community Housing Services (62422)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Early Childhood Education & Childcare Nonprofits (BPAGADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Family & Parenting Support Services (BPAGAEAC), Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL), Family Resource Centers & Wraparound Support Services (EDACALAH), Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)

Keywords

• Community fundraising services
• Nonprofit grantmaking
• Early childhood programs
• Volunteer coordination services
• Community impact programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Sherman

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute through online donation forms, direct mail, and fundraising events. The organization runs annual campaigns and accepts one-time and recurring donations.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Local businesses sponsor United Way programs and events, including Pillar Sponsors who provide ongoing support. Sponsors receive recognition and visibility within the community.
3. Grant Funding: United Way of Grayson County awards grants to qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations through its Community Investment Process. Partner agencies receive program funding based on community needs assessment and program outcomes.
4. Cy Pres Awards: The organization accepts cy pres awards from legal settlements, directing funds to community programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

United Way of Grayson County is a locally governed 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates community impact programs including the Tiny T.O.E.S. early childhood home-visit program, Imagination Library book gifting, Grayson County Diaper Bank, ALICE financial hardship awareness, a teen internship program, and a Community Investment/Grants process that funds partner nonprofit agencies addressing housing, food, utilities, transportation, and mental health needs in Grayson County.

Product overview

United Way of Grayson County is a locally governed, independently operated 501(c)(3) nonprofit that functions as a community impact organization rather than a technology product company. Its portfolio consists of seven distinct community programs: (1) Tiny T.O.E.S., a home-visit early childhood program using Parent Educators; (2) Imagination Library of Grayson County, a Dolly Parton Imagination Library affiliate that gifts free books monthly to children birth-to-five; (3) Grayson County Diaper Bank, a monthly distribution service for families meeting WIC income guidelines; (4) ALICE, an awareness and advocacy initiative surrounding households in financial hardship; (5) Summer Internship 2026, a one-week intensive for high school students; (6) Volunteer Coordination connecting community members with program and partner agency opportunities; and (7) Community Investment/Grants, which funds local 501(c)(3) nonprofits addressing priority community needs. Programs operate independently but share a unified mission of advancing health, education, and financial stability in Grayson County. The organization also leverages Zeffy for donation processing, Google Forms for applications and intake, and SignUp.com for volunteer scheduling.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Imagination Library of Grayson County: A Dolly Parton Imagination Library affiliate that mails free, high-quality books to children from birth to age five.
• Tiny T.O.E.S.
• ALICE
• Grayson County Diaper Bank
• Summer Internship Program

Products and services

• Tiny T.O.E.S. An early childhood home-visit program that uses a Parent Educator to accept referrals and conduct home visits, connecting parents with community resources and hands-on skills to help children succeed in school, work, and life. Targets newborns and toddlers in Grayson County.
• Imagination Library of Grayson County A Dolly Parton Imagination Library affiliate book-gifting program that mails free, high-quality books to children from birth to age five residing in Grayson County, regardless of family income. Each enrolled child receives one free book per month until their fifth birthday.
• Grayson County Diaper Bank A diaper bank that distributes free diapers and wipes to Grayson County families meeting Texas WIC income guidelines. Distribution occurs monthly on the third Friday at the United Way building in Sherman, serving families with children from newborn to size 3T pull-ups.
• Teens United Summer Internship A one-week, 32-hour summer internship for high school students (sophomores through seniors) in Grayson County, designed to develop understanding of nonprofit organizations, grow workplace skills, and fulfill service hour requirements.
• Volunteer Coordination Coordinates volunteer opportunities across multiple programs and partner agencies including the Diaper Bank, Tiny Toes, United We Read, Dr. Hicks Literacy Day, and local partner organizations such as Boys & Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity, and Meals on Wheels of Texoma.
• Community Investment / Grants A grantmaking and partner agency program that allocates funding to qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Grayson County addressing top community needs: affordable housing, utilities assistance, food insecurity, transportation, medical/mental health, and childcare/early childhood education. Funded partners are required to submit semi-annual outcome reports.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 40,000 books mailed to Grayson County children in first two years of Imagination Library program
• +3 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• First United BankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPillar Sponsor for 2025-2026. First United Bank supports United Way of Grayson County through financial contributions and community engagement, receiving recognition on the organization's website and promotional materials.
• TekWavcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPillar Sponsor for 2025-2026. TekWav provides sponsorship support enabling United Way programs and receives visibility as a community partner.
• Barnabas CentercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor2026 Grant Recipient. Nonprofit partner agency providing community services in Grayson County. Receives program funding through United Way's Community Investment Process.
• Boys & Girls Club of DenisoncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor2026 Grant Recipient. Youth development organization serving Denison families. Partner agency in United Way's community investment network.
• Boys & Girls Club of ShermancoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor2026 Grant Recipient. Youth development organization providing after-school and summer programs for Sherman youth. Receives United Way grant funding.
• CASA of Grayson CountycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor2026 Grant Recipient. Court-Appointed Special Advocates program providing volunteer advocates for children in the foster care system.
• Child & Family Guidance Center of TexomacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor2026 Grant Recipient. Mental health and family services provider in the Texoma region. United Way funding supports counseling and guidance programs.
• Family Promise of Grayson CountycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor2026 Grant Recipient. Nonprofit helping families experiencing homelessness achieve independence through shelter, housing, and support services.
• Feed My SheepcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor2026 Grant Recipient. Faith-based hunger relief organization serving Grayson County residents in need of food assistance.
• FouriverscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor2026 Grant Recipient. Community services organization providing resources and support to Grayson County residents.
• Grayson County Children's Advocacy CentercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor2026 Grant Recipient. Provides advocacy, forensic interviews, and support services for children who have experienced abuse.
• Grand Central Station / Market DepotcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor2026 Grant Recipient. Community organization providing food access and distribution services in Sherman, Texas.
• Habitat for Humanity of Grayson CountycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor2026 Grant Recipient. Affordable housing nonprofit building and rehabilitating homes for low-income families in Grayson County.
• Camp Dragonfly (Home Hospice)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor2026 Grant Recipient. Bereavement camp program for children and families dealing with loss, operated by Home Hospice of Grayson, Cooke & Fannin Counties.
• House of EliminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor2026 Grant Recipient. Faith-based organization providing support services to families and individuals in need.
• Master Key AcademyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor2026 Grant Recipient. Educational program providing mentorship and academic support to students.
• Meals on Wheels of TexomacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor2026 Grant Recipient. Home-delivered meal program serving elderly and disabled residents in the Texoma region.
• St. Mary's / St. Vincent de PaulcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor2026 Grant Recipient. Catholic parish social ministry providing emergency assistance, food, and utility aid to community members.
• TAPS BuscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor2026 Grant Recipient. Transportation services provider addressing transportation barriers identified as a top community need.
• Texoma Community CentercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor2026 Grant Recipient. Community mental health center providing substance use disorder treatment and behavioral health services.
• Texoma Family SheltercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor2026 Grant Recipient. Emergency shelter and transitional housing for families experiencing homelessness.
• The Rehabilitation CentercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor2026 Grant Recipient. Rehabilitation services provider serving individuals with disabilities and recovery needs in Grayson County.
• GSSI+ NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProud member of the GSSI+ Network. Organization focused on supporting grieving students and families through educational and community resources.
• United For ALICEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational research and advocacy initiative that provides data and frameworks for understanding financial hardship among working households. United Way of Grayson County participates in this initiative to raise awareness and drive policy changes for ALICE households.
• Dolly Parton Imagination LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliation with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library enables free book gifting to children from birth to age five. United Way of Grayson County administers the local program, mailing books to enrolled children.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• United Way Worldwide: National umbrella organization to which United Way of Grayson County pays a 1% membership fee. Owns the global brand, accountability standards, and ALICE research framework that UWGC leverages, making it the most directly comparable incumbent in the system.
• Dolly Parton's Imagination Library: National book-gifting program that United Way of Grayson County administers as a local affiliate. Operates as the upstream program partner for the Imagination Library of Grayson County and is the closest comparable entity on the early-literacy mission.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National youth development organization whose local Sherman and Denison chapters receive UWGC grant funding. Competes for the same pool of youth-program philanthropy and serves overlapping youth and family segments in the county.

Direct peers

• United Way of Tarrant County: A larger Texas-based United Way affiliate operating the same community investment, early childhood, and partner-agency funding model. Most directly comparable peer in terms of mission, program structure, and revenue mix, differing primarily in geographic scale (Tarrant County vs. Grayson County).
• United Way of Greater Houston: Large Texas-based United Way chapter with the same ALICE advocacy, early childhood focus, and partner-agency grantmaking model. Useful scale benchmark for what a mature Texas UW chapter can become over multiple decades.
• United Way of Metropolitan Dallas: Major Texas United Way chapter using the same ALICE framework, Imagination Library affiliation, and partner-grantmaking playbook. Comparable on operating model and program mix; differs in scale and urban service area.
• United Way of Central Texas: A Texas-based United Way chapter delivering the same combination of donor-advised community investment, early childhood programs, and partner agency grants. Comparable on mission and revenue model, with a different service geography (Austin region).
• The Salvation Army Grayson County: Local Salvation Army branch operating in the same geography with overlapping social-service programs (emergency assistance, family support, food). Direct competitor for both donor dollars and community-service delivery in Grayson County.

Regional players

• Texoma Health Foundation: Regional foundation operating in the Texoma area with similar community health, family stability, and grantmaking activities. Comparable on local philanthropy focus and overlapping geographic catchment.
• Community Foundation of Texoma: Regional community foundation serving the same North Texas/Southern Oklahoma geography with comparable grantmaking, donor-advised funds, and convening role. Closest non-United Way analog in mission and local footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/unitedwaygrayson
• Facebookfacebook.com/UnitedWayofGraysonCounty

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles21 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about United Way of Grayson County