Foundation for Southeast Texas Inc
The Foundation for Southeast Texas is a community foundation established in 1996 and based in Beaumont, Texas. Operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Foundation financially supports nonprofits throughout Southeast Texas by connecting donors with causes they care about. The organization manages approximately 28 designated, donor-advised, unrestricted, and scholarship funds. In addition to grantmaking, the Foundation offers office space rental to nonprofit organizations.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$36.6M
+23.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.1M
+64.7% YoY
Grant Count
40
+48.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$103K
+11.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: To make a positive difference in the quality of life in Southeast Texas by encouraging philanthropic gifts and assisting donors in achieving their charitable goals through professional management and strategic distribution of funds. The Foundation financially supports and subscribes to the seen and unseen needs of nonprofits in Southeast Texas by encouraging invested donors to look forward while giving back.
Funding Areas: The Foundation addresses a range of civic and social concerns including:
- Arts and culture
- Preservation
- Education and scholarships
- Health
- Social services
- Youth and elderly services
- Economic development
- Civic affairs
Grantmaking
Grant Range
s:**
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with Foundation for Southeast Texas Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation serves Hardin, Jefferson, and Orange Counties in Southeast Texas, with occasional support extending to Chambers County and the Bolivar Peninsula of Galveston County. The Foundation also accepts gifts from beyond these counties and may distribute funds to nonprofits beyond the immediate region.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets:
- Total assets: $36,595,415 (most recent filing)
- Charitable assets: $33 million
Annual Activity:
- Total revenues: $7,753,647 (2023)
- Total expenses: $3,429,529 (2023)
- Total giving: $4,379,495 (2024)
Community Impact:
- $18 million invested in Southeast Texas
- 500+ nonprofits served since inception
- Initial donor fund example: $25,000 initial gift grew to $107,371.45
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $36,595,415 | $29,532,680 | $23,720,377 |
| Revenue | $11,810,637 | $7,753,647 | $2,071,618 |
| Expenses | $5,316,658 | $3,429,529 | $1,349,613 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $2,222,841 | $999,315 | $737,727 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
160 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Foundation for Southeast Texas Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Executive Director: Mellie Bevilacqua (serving since 2014)
Staff: The organization operates with approximately 2 employees.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MELLIE BEVILACQUA | EXECUTIVE DI | 40 | $111,331 |
| THE HONORABLE COURTNEY ARKEEN | PRESIDENT | 3 | — |
| BOBBY BEAVER | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| LISA O' BLANC | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| TINA BRADLEY | SECRETARY | 3 | — |
| BEN BROUSSARD | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| BROOKE CARROLL | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| CODY CUPIT | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| RACHEL DONALSON | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| RON FLETCHER | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| PHYLLIS GEANS | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| MARK HALL | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| SHAWN HARE | VICE PRESIDE | 3 | — |
| MILES HAYNES | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| MEREDITH HISE | PAST PRESIDE | 3 | — |
| MEGAN LAYNE | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| DENISE LEBLANC | TREASURER | 3 | — |
| SAMANTHA LEIFESTE | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| VALERIE LEWIS | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| SARA NORMAN | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| BEN POUSSON | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| DONEAN SURRAT | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| DAVID THIEME | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| JEREMY TRISKA | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| LINSI WALKER | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| ROY WEST | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| PAM WILLIAMS | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| ALLISON WRIGHT | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 700 North Street, Suite J, Beaumont, Texas 77701 (or PO Box 3092, Beaumont, TX 77704)
Phone: 409-833-5775
Fax: 409-833-7885
Email: director@cfsetx.org
Website: www.fsetx.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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