TI’s history with the United Way dates back to the early ‘60s when TI Founder Eric Jonsson helped oversee the efforts of the American Red Cross and the Community Chest to create what was then called the United Fund. Jonsson was the first chairman of the United Fund board and was instrumental in its growth and direction to take care of the less fortunate in the community. Since then, TI employees have been involved with United Way at every level from serving on the board of directors to volunteering on committees and in organizations. For the past five years, TIers have been the largest corporate contributors to United Way of Metropolitan Dallas.

Highlights

• TI senior vice president Phil Ritter was the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas general campaign chair for 2005. TI CEO Jerry Junkins served during the 1989 campaign.
• TI has consistently been the largest contributor to United Way of Metropolitan Dallas for several years, and with combined monies from the TI Foundation, has run at least a $3 million campaign for the last five years.
• In 2006, TI and the TI Foundation donated $4.6 million to United Ways across America. This includes a special grant in support of United Way of Metropolitan Dallas’ Destination: Graduation high school drop-out prevention initiative.
• United Way created the J. Eric Jonsson award to honor his memory and spirit of volunteerism. It is given annually to a significant United Way volunteer.
• TI retiree and senior vice president Sam Self is the chief ethics officer, chair of the Audit and Ethics Committee and received the 2005 J. Eric Jonsson award for volunteerism.
• TIers contribute more than money to United Way. Many employees and retirees assist other companies with their own pledge drives, serve as loaned executives on the campaign, and TIers annually serve on allocation committees.
• TI has won four James F. Chamber awards for outstanding campaign communications.
  
• In 1998, TI introduced online pledging, allowing employees to make contributions via the company's Intranet.
  
• TI was the area’s number one campaign in total number of leadership and Alexis de Tocqueville donors in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006.
  
• TI won the Best Practices award in 2003 and 2005 and two employees were named the outstanding campaign volunteers in 2000.
  
• TI’s internal campaign is more than just a pledge drive. Events include barbeques, bake sales, stick horse derbies, golf tournaments, auctions, tug of wars and other fun activities, all to raise money for local United Way agencies.