People Helping People
Founded in 2003, the United Heritage Charity Foundation was developed as a 501(c)(3) to support projects and organizations within local communities. Benefiting local charities, including organizations focused on family support services, healthcare, education initiatives as well as military and veteran assistance efforts, the Charity Foundation's top priority is contributing to deserving organizations that positively impact Central and East Texas to make a difference in people’s lives. United Heritage Charity Foundation epitomizes the credit union philosophy of "People Helping People," which is why each year we work with organizations who are striving to make our communities a better place to live, work and attend school.Lauren Smets
2026 Scholarship Recipient
Lauren Smets, a graduating senior from Lake Travis High School, is one of two recipients of the 2026 United Heritage H. Ralph Wilburn Memorial Scholarship. Ranked 49th in a class of 887, Lauren will attend the University of Texas at Austin's McCombs School of Business this fall. An entrepreneur since age 11, she successfully grew her own bakery business while excelling academically and serving her community through leadership, volunteerism, and mentorhsip. Her dedication, initiaitive, and commitment to helping others make her an outstanding scholarship recipient.
Michael Vangeli
2026 Scholarship Recipient
Michael Vangeli, a graduating senior from Vista Ridge High School, is one of two recipients of the 2026 United Heritage H. Ralph Wilburn Memorial Scholarship. Ranked 24th in a class of 644, Michael will attend the University of Texas at Austin this fall to pursue his passion for music. An accomplished tuba musician, he has earned prestigious state and national honors while balancing academics, musical performance, and work responsibilities. His talent, dedication, and ambitious goals make him a deserving recipient of this scholarship.
Thank You For Helping Us Give Back
UHCU recently concluded its community diaper drive, collecting and donating 13,437 diapers and 19,956 wipes to PATH to support local families in need in the Tyler community. Click below to read more.
Driving Local Impact Forward
Gears & Giving Presented $25,000 to the United Heritage Charity Foundation
The numbers are in, and our first annual charity car show exceeded expectations. The proceeds will directly support family services, healthcare, and veteran assistance programs across our communities. Discover how your support made this milestone possible in our full event breakdown.
Donation Partner
UHCU Partners with Elan Financial Services and Donate $20,000 to PATH
United Heritage Credit Union is proud to announce a $20,000 donation to PATH, made possible through participation in the Elan Charitable Giving Program. UHCU contributed $10,000 to PATH, matching Elan Financial Services’ $10,000 donation, doubling the impact for the local nonprofit and further supporting critical community services.
Lending a Helping Hand
UHCU Donates Over $30,000 to Help Fight Food Insecurity Across Texas
A total of $15,660 was donated to the East Texas Food Bank, and $18,232.50 was donated to the Central Texas Food Bank. These funds were raised through UHCU's Banking for a Cause initiatives, hot cocoa kit sales, and purchases from our external brand store apparel. Click below to continue reading the blog.
Areas of Focus
To optimize our efforts, the Charity Foundation supports organizations whose focus includes one or more of a few specific areas outlined here:
Family Support Services
Encouraging the relationships between a parent/guardian and a child, whenever possible, is an important way to help families and individuals feel self-sufficient. Family Support Services help to address the general population and target specific groups to best serve local citizens.
Healthcare
Healthcare has been and will continue to be an important aspect of our culture. The Charity Foundation understands the impact that healthcare and medical research have on our communities.
Education
With a belief that our children remain our single greatest resource, the United Heritage Charity Foundation is a strong supporter of education initiatives for young people. By giving today’s youth every opportunity for success, our communities will grow and prosper.
Animals & Pets
Animals are an important part of many households in our communities. The Charity Foundation supports local organizations that rescue and shelter animals as well as those that advocate for improved animal welfare and wildlife conservation.
Military & Veteran Assistance
The United Heritage Charity Foundation feels it is important to support our military and veterans in as many ways as possible to show our appreciation of their many sacrifices. This is also a nod to United Heritage Credit Union's history, as it originally started as a military credit union.
Environmental Causes
By prioritizing environmental initiatives within our community, the Charity Foundation strives to be a steward of the planet by promoting sustainable practices, advocating for environmental awareness to safeguard future generations, and fostering a healthier quality of life.