Fort Worth Business Press, June 2, 2014 Vol. 26, No. 21 | Page 12

12 June 2 - 8, 2014 | fwbusinesspress.com United Way revenue increases 11 percent nonPROFIT matters BETTY DILLARD Way’s efforts to advance education, financial stability and health, the funds raised will support partner agency programs, the 2-1-1 information and referral service, Area Agency on Aging programs and homelessness services in Fort Worth. The campaign’s four top companies in overall giving were: BNSF Railway Co., $2.46 million; Alcon Laboratories Inc., $1.90 million; Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, $1.05 million; and Bell Helicopter Textron, $792,500.   Grand Homes starts new Home for Hope Construction began May 21 on Grand Homes’ fifth charity Home for Hope locally built as part of its effort to help end poverty globally. The local charity home is in Roanoke, at 15580 Yarberry Dr. in Grand Homes’ Chadwick Farms community off Cleveland Gibbs Road and south of Texas 114. courtesy photo United Way of Tarrant County raised $33,750,115 in total revenue in 20132014, marking an 11 percent increase over the previous year. The revenue total includes just more than $4 million from a grant received for a statewide consortium led by United Way to hire a network of navigators to explain to eligible uninsured Texans their health coverage options through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Sixty-one percent, or $20,500,000, of the total revenue came from the United Way workplace campaign that ran from September to May. During the campaign, volunteers solicited donations at hundreds of Tarrant County workplaces. Leading the campaign and making history were father-son volunteer co-chairmen Charlie and James Powell. “Every campaign year has its challenges, but I’m amazed to see the individuals and companies of Tarrant County continue to step up and support others whose lives are enriched and improved through the services of United Way,” said Charlie Powell, president of the Bank of Texas, Fort Worth Region. In addition to underwriting United Grand Homes broke ground May 21 on its fifth charity Home for Hope. Each Home for Hope is built with donated or discounted labor, materials and services to help secure a large donation upon the sale of the home. The donation will benefit HOPE International, a microfinance network providing microloans to entrepreneurs in poor countries so they may start or expand their small business. The idea is to create a steady income that will lift their families out of poverty. The house, which is priced between $250,000 and $300,000, can be purchased at any phase of construction, according to Stephen Brooks, CEO and owner of Grand Homes. “Grand Homes has always supported, and will continue to support, many local charities to benefit communities in which we build. Homes for Hope allows us to have an impact beyond our own community to help eliminate poverty in areas of need throughout the world,” Brooks said. Founded in 1987, Grand Homes is based in Addison and has more than 35 See nonprofit u next page