The CEO of Dallas-based Kimberly-Clark Corp. and his wife have committed $2 million to the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas. The gift by Tom and Karen Falk includes a multi-year commitment of $1 million to the group’s annual campaign, as well as $1 million for the Unite Forever campaign benefiting the United Way Foundation of Metropolitan Dallas.
“You hear people all the time who say, ‘Give until it hurts,’ ” Tom Falk said in a United Way release. “But Karen and I would say, ‘Give until it feels good.’ ” Jennifer Sampson, president and CEO of the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, added, “Tom and Karen’s generosity and leadership have been inspirational for us at United Way for many years. We … hope their example will inspire others to give as well.”
Tom Falk chaired the organization’s 2013 fundraising campaign, and he and his wife co-chaired the group’s 90th anniversary gala in 2015. They’re both longtime members of United Way’s Tocqueville Giving Society, and the official announcement of their $2 million gift was to be made at the Tocqueville Society’s Second Tuesday luncheon on Sept. 13.
The announcement was scheduled to come five days after United Way of Metropolitan Dallas kicked off its 92nd annual community fundraising campaign with a goal of raising a record $75 million, up from $73 million last year. Chaired by Mark Rohr, chairman and CEO of Celanese Corp., the 2016-2017 annual campaign supports the organization’s initiatives to improve education, healthcare, the economy, and quality of life in North Texas. Rohr succeeds David Seaton, chairman and CEO of Fluor Corp., as the organization’s annual campaign chair.
