United Way of South Texas
United Way of South Texas is a public charity based in McAllen, Texas. It supports local human-service programs and grants serving Hidalgo and Starr Counties, with giving focused on community needs.
United Way of South Texas at a glance
In short: United Way of South Texas gave $901K across 18 grants in 2024 (avg $50K). 6% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $900,500
- +2.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 18
- -5.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $50,028
- +7.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $37,750
- Total assets
- $5,301,979
- +2.8% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 6% first-time grantees (1 of 18, 2024; small sample)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to United Way of South Texas
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 187, Mcallen, TX 78501
Phone: (956) 686-6331
Website: https://unitedwayofsotx.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who United Way of South Texas funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was BGC Edinburg ($102K). Together the top 10 received $681K.
Grant Size Distribution
102 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 64 grants of 102 (63%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization states that its service and solicitation area is Hidalgo and Starr Counties, Texas. Its website says eligible agencies must demonstrate services to residents of Hidalgo and/or Starr Counties.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Is United Way of South Texas open to new grantees?
6%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 1 of 18 grantees (6%) were first-time recipients. With only 18 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $45K; repeat grants $50K. How we count
Medians: $45K first-time, $36K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $883K (2023) to $1.4M (2020). In 2024 it made 18 grants totaling $901K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BGC Edinburg | Assist Youth | $102,000 |
| BGC McAllen | Assist Youth | $100,000 |
| BGC Pharr | Assist Youth | $90,000 |
| Salvation Army | Assist Needy | $73,000 |
| Women Together | Assist Hospice | $70,000 |
| Palmer Drug Abuse Program | Drug Abuse Prevention | $70,000 |
| BGC Mission | Assist Youth | $55,000 |
| Girl Scouts Tip of Texas | Assist Youth | $45,000 |
| RGV Boy Scouts | Assist Youth | $40,000 |
| Su CASA Esperanza | Assist Infant Health | $35,500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $5,301,979 | $2,221,289 | $2,377,424 | $900,500 | 18 | $65,777 |
| 2023 | $5,157,536 | $2,190,921 | $2,308,201 | $882,500 | 19 | $25,084 |
| 2022 | $5,257,344 | $2,432,398 | $2,242,579 | $927,500 | 20 | $4,620 |
| 2021 | $4,831,675 | $2,003,756 | $2,107,424 | $1,155,489 | 22 | $16,129 |
| 2020 | $5,147,569 | $2,376,109 | $2,400,642 | $1,445,729 | 23 | $5,596 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s mission, as stated in its filing, is to build and promote partnerships that coordinate resources among people in Hidalgo and Starr Counties and award grants addressing health, financial stability, and education issues. Its website states a mission “to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of our community to advance the common good.”
The website describes funding through partner agency grants for individual organizations, community impact grants for collective-impact partnerships, and emergency grants for unexpected needs. Its stated program areas include Youth Opportunity, Financial Security, Healthy Communities, and Community Resiliency. It reports funding over 100 programs through 22 partner agencies, along with community impact grant recipients.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the organization awarded 18 grants totaling $900,500. Grant amounts ranged from $20,000 to $102,000, with a median of $37,750. Its largest awards included BGC Edinburg ($102,000), BGC McAllen ($100,000), BGC Pharr ($90,000), the Salvation Army ($73,000), Women Together ($70,000), and Palmer Drug Abuse Program ($70,000).
Eligible social-service agencies may apply for consideration if they address the organization’s stated focus areas. The website says applicants must provide proof of services to residents of Hidalgo and/or Starr Counties, proof of tax-exempt status and at least two years of services, financial accountability reports, a list of active board members, and program outcome measurements. The fund distribution process includes application submission, budget review, program outcomes review, agency visits, and board approval. Volunteer committees review financial information and program impact and make recommendations; the website says the board approves funding.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Lilia B. Lopez as president; Gerardo Paz as board chair; Blanca I. Villaobos as past board chair; Tyler Stone as strategic board planning co-chair; and Larry C. Gonzalez as finance co-chair. It also lists Kim Davis, Les Jones, Cyndy Ramos, JJ Serrano, and Raul E. Sesin as board members.
United Way of South Texas is led by Lilia B. Lopez, President on filings since 2020; 1 of 16 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Lilia B. Lopez
President
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$85K (2020) → $108K (2024)
Gerardo Paz
Board Chair
Campaign Co → Campaign Co-Chair, 2022
Campaign Co-Chair → Board Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Blanca I. Villaobos
Past Board Chair
Finance Co C → Board Chair, 2022
Board Chair → Past Board Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Duandre Drain
Fund Distribution Co-Chair
Campaign Co → Community Re, 2021
Community Re → Fund Distribution Co-Chair, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Larry C. Gonzalez
Finance Co-Chair
Finance Co C → Finance Co-Chair, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Les Jones
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Quiroz
Campaign Co-Chair
Board Member → Campaign Co-Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tyler Stone
Strategic Board Planning Co-Chair
Board Chair → Past Board Chair, 2022
Past Board Chair → Strategic Board Planning Co-Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Annette S. Garcia
Community Relations Co-Chair
Board Member → Community Relations Co-Chair, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Benita Mendell
Fund Distribution Co-Chair
Board Member → Funds Distribution Co-Chair, 2023
Funds Distribution Co-Chair → Fund Distribution Co-Chair, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cris Moncayo
Campaign Co-Chair
Fund Distribution Co-Chair → Campaign Co-Chair, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert McGurk
Finance Co-Chair
Board Member → Finance Co-Chair, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cyndy Ramos
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jj Serrano
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kim Davis
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Raul E. Sesin
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (10)
- Former: Edna Garcia (2020–2023) — Strategic Board Planning Co-Chair
- Former: Lisa Killion (2020–2023) — Community Relations Co-Chair
- Former: Robert Rosell (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Lilia B. Lopez-Killelea (2022–2023) — President
- Former: Elvira L. Alonzo (2020–2022) — Campaign Co-Chair
- Former: Lisa Garza (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Jose Gonzalez (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Miles Buillion (2022) — Board Member
- Former: Paola E. Castillo (2020–2021) — Fund Distrib
- Former: Priscilla Canales (2020–2021) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $108K, to Lilia B Lopez (President).
Frequently asked questions about United Way of South Texas
How much does United Way of South Texas give each year?
United Way of South Texas gave $901K across 18 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $883K across 19 grants.
What is United Way of South Texas's typical grant size?
United Way of South Texas's median grant in 2024 was $37,750, and its average grant was $50,028, across 18 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from United Way of South Texas that year got $45K on average.
Does United Way of South Texas give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 18 grants with a stated purpose on United Way of South Texas's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Assist Youth" (9 grants) and "Assist Needy" (5 grants).
Who are United Way of South Texas's largest grantees?
United Way of South Texas's largest 2024 grantees include BGC Edinburg ($102,000), BGC McAllen ($100,000) and BGC Pharr ($90,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 32% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is United Way of South Texas?
United Way of South Texas reported $5.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.2M.
What does United Way of South Texas fund?
The organization’s mission, as stated in its filing, is to build and promote partnerships that coordinate resources among people in Hidalgo and Starr Counties and award grants addressing health, financial stability, and education issues. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from United Way of South Texas?
United Way of South Texas has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check unitedwayofsotx.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
Where does United Way of South Texas make grants?
The organization states that its service and solicitation area is Hidalgo and Starr Counties, Texas. Its website says eligible agencies must demonstrate services to residents of Hidalgo and/or Starr Counties.
What is United Way of South Texas's EIN?
United Way of South Texas's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 74-2052527. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from United Way of South Texas's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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