UNITED WAY OF GREATER HOUSTON THANKS COMMUNITY FOR GENEROSITY!
Houston Stands United in Contributing $76.6 million - Up $5.1 million!

HOUSTON, March 31, 2008 - United Way of Greater Houston announced today it has exceeded its 2007-08 Community Campaign goal by raising $76.6 million - surpassing the target by $1.6 million. This year’s total reflects an increase of $5.1 million over last year, a seven percent increase. The increased giving this year will enable the United Way to intensify its work improving lives, tackling key community issues and making a lasting difference.

During the campaign closing festivities, United Way celebrated the city and the people who make it stronger with the presentation of a powerful credo. One by one volunteers, donors and beneficiaries spoke about the work of United Way, “We believe that there’s good all around us, and it’s our privilege to help it grow,” they said. “We stand united because this is our community, our neighborhoods, our families and our future- and when we reach out a hand to one, we influence the condition of all.”

“Our donors and volunteers are the lifeblood of this campaign. Thanks to them, United Way of Greater Houston was able to raise more than $76.6 million this year,” said Mike Ballases, 2007-08 United Way campaign chair and chairman of the JPMorgan Chase-Houston region. “This generous commitment helps make Houston a great place to live and work, and it enables the United Way to touch one of every two lives in our community.”

“What a wonderful testimony for our community. Generous caring donors, volunteers and campaign leaders spoke with great conviction,” said Anna M. Babin, president and CEO of the United Way of Greater Houston. “This is our community, we live here and we do something about it.’’

Campaign highlights significantly contributing to the success of this year’s campaign include:

The Top 100 Company campaigns increased their contributions by six percent this year, topping $57.1 million, generating $3.1 million in additional dollars. Together, these 100 campaigns represent almost 75 percent of the total dollars raised by the 2007-08 Community Campaign.

Nine companies contributed a million dollars or more. The largest corporate campaign was ExxonMobil, which contributed $10.7 million and the largest corporate gift came from Shell Oil Company and Motiva Enterprises LLC for a total contribution of $6.8 million. Others contributing a million dollars or more were: AIG American General/AIG Retirement Services - $1 million; Anadarko Petroleum - $1.5 million; CenterPoint Energy - $1.4 million; Chevron - $1.3 million; ConocoPhillips - $3.1 million; National Oilwell Varco - $1 million; and Spectra Energy - $1.1 million.

The top five increases in giving this year were ExxonMobil, National Oilwell Varco, Reliant Energy, CB&I, Shell Oil Company and Motiva Enterprises LLC.

Alexis de Tocqueville Society co-chairs Joel Staff, with Scipio Interests, and Diana Hudson, partner, Andrews Kurth LLP, led a banner year in leadership giving efforts that added 172 new members to the Society for a total of 765 members and raised $12.1 million, up $1.5 million from last year. These results represent 15 percent of the overall campaign. Alexis de Tocqueville Society members personally contribute $10,000 or more annually to the United Way of Greater Houston.

Women’s Initiative chair Paula Hinton, partner, Vinson & Elkins LLP, increased the ranks of philanthropic women whose generosity raised more than $3 million, an increase of 35 percent, and includes 177 members of the Alexis de Tocqueville Society.

The Law Firm Initiative led by Mike Jines, senior vice president and general counsel of Reliant Energy, and Tracie Renfroe, partner, King & Spalding LLP, raised more than $2.8 million.

The Health Care Initiative, headed by Peter G. Traber, M.D., president and CEO of Baylor College of Medicine, raised over $1.7 million for a 18 percent increase.

Spectra Energy, Bank of America, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, and Memorial Hermann generously stepped up as the 2007-08 United Way Champions of Caring, sponsoring campaign activities. This was over and above their generous annual campaigns.

About United Way of Greater Houston
For 85 years, the United Way of Greater Houston has been the social service safety net for the Houston Area. United Way is a leader and trusted partner in improving lives, tackling key community social issues, and making a lasting difference. The organization touches one of every two lives in the Bay Area, Fort Bend, Harris, Montgomery and Waller counties. The United Way focuses on strengthening our community by developing children and youth to their full potential, creating strong families and safe neighborhoods, sustaining senior independence, and rebuilding people’s lives in times of crisis. The United Way of Greater Houston is the best way to make the biggest difference in our community. For information, please visit www.unitedwayhouston.org.