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.
Key facts about Foundation for Southeast Texas Inc
- EIN
- 76-0530567
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $4,101,827
- Grants made (2024)
- 40
- Average grant
- $102,546
- Median grant
- $20,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 39% first-time grantees (15 of 38, 2024)
- Total assets
- $36,595,415
- Primary geography
- Texas (99% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- Applications for competitive grants are available in early January each year. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Foundation for Southeast Texas Inc funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Foundation for Southeast Texas Inc's 40 itemized 2024 grants were Texas (99%). The most frequent recipient cities were Beaumont, TX (30 grants), Houston, TX (2 grants) and Silsbee, TX (2 grants). 98% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
Is Foundation for Southeast Texas Inc open to new grantees?
39%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 15 of 38 grantees (39%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $177K; repeat grants $63K. How we count
Medians: $21K first-time, $19K repeat.
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Foundation for Southeast Texas Inc
- How to evaluate Foundation for Southeast Texas Inc as a funder
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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
Share of all 40 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
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 | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Texas Children's Hospital ($1,000,000), Christus St Elizabeth Hospital ($1,000,000), UT Health Houston ($1,000,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| TEXAS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL Houston, TX | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,000,000 |
| CHRISTUS ST ELIZABETH HOSPITAL Beaumont, TX | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,000,000 |
| UT HEALTH HOUSTON Houston, TX | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,000,000 |
| HOW CENTER Beaumont, TX | BUILDING CONSTRUCTIO | $356,543 |
| GIFT OF LIFE Beaumont, TX | GENERAL SUPPORT | $74,100 |
| UNITED WAY OF BEAUMONT Beaumont, TX | GENERAL SUPPORT | $70,041 |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY Atlanta, GA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $50,050 |
| FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Orange, TX | GENERAL SUPPORT | $34,361 |
| FOUNDATION FOR SOUTHEAST TEXAS Beaumont, TX | GENERAL SUPPORT | $33,726 |
| DIOCESE OF BEAUMONT Beaumont, TX | GENERAL SUPPORT | $32,250 |
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 IRS 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
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Foundation for Southeast Texas Inc fund?
**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…
How do I apply for a grant from Foundation for Southeast Texas Inc?
Applications for competitive grants are available in early January each year. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
Where does Foundation for Southeast Texas Inc make 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.
What size grants does Foundation for Southeast Texas Inc award?
In 2024, Foundation for Southeast Texas Inc awarded 40 grants totaling $4.1M — an average of about $103K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Foundation for Southeast Texas Inc's EIN?
Foundation for Southeast Texas Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 76-0530567. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Foundation for Southeast Texas Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.