We are all a part of the same community. When you reach out a hand to one, you influence the condition of all.

For 85 years, United Way has been mobilizing resources to improve lives in North Texas. We create lasting results by strategically focusing on the best programs in Education, Income and Health—the key building blocks for a good life. The result is nearly 400 programs that are carefully monitored, measured and documented using the following methods:

More than 600 community volunteers help the United Way achieve its mission throughout the year. Many of them are involved in the most important areas of our work and are highlighted below.

• The Regional Grant Process, which includes Dallas, Collin, Southern Denton, and Rockwall counties, maximizes the value of donor dollars. These volunteers visit partner agencies that apply for grants through our Priority Grants Process. After thoroughly reviewing agency information, the volunteers make final decisions on agency grants.

• The United Way Campaign Cabinet includes more than 60 community volunteers. These individuals meet with local company executives to thank them and discuss campaign best practices. They meet once a month and are an integral part of our campaign efforts.

• The United Way takes great pride in delivering a low administrative cost of (on average) 16 cents per dollar raised. These results make us a leader in low-cost community impact programs and services. (The average nonprofit administrative cost is 25 cents per dollar raised. The Better Business Bureau is concerned when a nonprofit's administrative cost exceeds 30 cents on the dollar.)

The United Way Board of Directors constituted and established an Audit & Ethics Committee. This committee has developed a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the "Code"). The purpose of the Code is to describe standards of conduct and business ethics expected of the directors, officers, standing committee members, and employees of United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and its subsidiaries (collectively, "United Way").

Directors, officers, standing committee members, and employees of the United Way must strictly adhere to the letter and spirit of this Code and of all laws, rules and regulations applicable to the conduct of the United Way's business. They must also exercise high standards of integrity and sound ethical judgment.

If an officer or employee violates any portion of the Code, or knowingly permits an employee under his or her supervision to do so, it could result in stern disciplinary action including reprimand, loss or reduction of compensation, seniority or promotional opportunity, demotion, suspension or discharge.

If anyone governed by the Code has questions or concerns about compliance with the Code they should contact the Chair of United Way Audit and Ethics Committee: Mr. Pat Mulva, VP and Controller at Exxon Mobil Corporation at patrick.t.mulva@exxonmobil.com.

The United Way of Metropolitan Dallas voluntarily adopted the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, also known as the Public Company Accounting Reform and Investor Protection Act of 2002, is a United States federal law enacted on July 30, 2002.

Complying with the Act is not mandatory for nonprofit agencies, but we have chosen to abide by the same financial standards as publicly held companies.

The Act also covers issues such as auditor independence, corporate governance, internal control assessment, and enhanced financial disclosure. The Act contains 11 titles, or sections, ranging from additional Corporate Board responsibilities to criminal penalties, and requires the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to implement rulings on requirements to comply with the new law.

As part of a commitment to transparency, the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas posts financial documents on our Web site for supporters to view.

Click here to see our current Audited Financial Statements and IRS Form 990 Tax Filings.