United Way of Southern Cameron County
United Way of Southern Cameron County is a Form 990 public charity based in Brownsville, Texas. It makes grants to organizations in Texas and describes its work as bringing people and resources together to address community needs, including children’s education, family self-sufficiency, and access to health care.
Key facts about United Way of Southern Cameron County
In short: United Way of Southern Cameron County gave $400K across 14 grants in 2025 (avg $29K), mostly in Texas. 0% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 74-1241385
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $400,000
- Grants made (2025)
- 14
- Average grant
- $28,571
- Median grant
- $30,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 14, 2025; small sample)
- Total assets
- $7,683,971
- Primary geography
- Texas (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The website described separate proposal processes for United Way of Southern Cameron County and the Brownsville Foundation for Health and Education. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- The Brownsville Foundation for Health and Education’s 2026 proposals were due by 4:00 p.m.
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; 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.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$7.7M
+3.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$400K
+0.0% YoY
Grant Count
14
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$29K
+0.0% YoY
Is United Way of Southern Cameron County open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 0 of 14 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. With only 14 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. How we count
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities to advance the common good. Its 2024 filing describes programs focused on education, financial stability, and health. Education efforts address children’s school readiness and academic achievement, as well as high school completion and postsecondary credentials. Its income initiative includes Volunteer Income Tax Assistance for low-income families. Health work includes improving access to quality care and promoting preventive health measures.
The 2025 grants show support for organizations working in areas including education and youth development, health and therapy, housing and shelter, family services, and domestic violence prevention. For example, Proyecto Juan Diego describes its mission as improving quality of life through educational, social, housing, health, and community-development work. Good Neighbor Settlement House says it provides meals, basic needs, outreach, and support services. TIP of Texas Family Outreach describes its work as strengthening families through parenting, educational, and youth programs and referral services to prevent child abuse and neglect.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the organization reported 14 grants totaling $400,000. Grant amounts ranged from $7,500 to $50,000, with a median of $30,000. Among the largest awards were $50,000 to Proyecto Juan Diego for health screenings, afterschool tutorials, and early-learning literacy; $40,000 to Boys and Girls Club of Los Fresnos for tutorials, homework help, and healthy-habits programming; and $40,000 to Good Neighbor Settlement House for immediate and near-term organizational needs. Other notable awards included $35,000 to Ozanam Center for housing and shelter, $33,000 to TIP of Texas Family Outreach for case management and parenting classes, and $32,500 to Communities in Schools of Cameron County for family engagement supporting high school success.
Review Cycle
The Brownsville Foundation for Health and Education’s 2026 proposals were due by 4:00 p.m. on January 30, 2026. The United Way application deadline was February 6, 2026.
How to Apply
The website described separate proposal processes for United Way of Southern Cameron County and the Brownsville Foundation for Health and Education. For the Foundation’s 2026 cycle, applicants were instructed to submit a signed agreement and application, include five additional copies of the application, and provide requested attachments; organizations not required to file an IRS Form 990 were asked for documentation of that status and a recent audit or financial review. The website’s stated 2026 deadlines have passed.
Ready to take the next step with United Way of Southern Cameron County?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization’s website identifies its service area as Cameron County, naming Brownsville, Los Fresnos, Olmito, Rancho Viejo, Laguna Vista, Laguna Heights, Port Isabel, and South Padre Island. All grant dollars reported for 2025 went to recipients in Texas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $400K (2024) to $506K (2022). In 2025 it made 14 grants totaling $400K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Proyecto Juan Diego ($50K). Together the top 10 received $338K.
Grant Size Distribution
76 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 72 grants of 76 (95%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Proyecto Juan Diego Brownsville, TX | Health Screenings, Afterschool Tutorials and Early Learning Literacy | $50,000 |
| Boys and Girls Club of Los Fresnos Los Fresnos, TX | Power hour tutorials and homework help and triple play healthy habits | $40,000 |
| Good Neighbor Settlement House Brownsville, TX | Funds allocated toward immediate and near term needs of organization | $40,000 |
| Ozanam Center Brownsville, TX | Housing and shelter for homeless and families in need | $35,000 |
| Tip of Texas Family Outreach Brownsville, TX | Case Management and Parenting Classes | $33,000 |
| Communities in Schools of Cameron County Brownsville, TX | Family Engagement for High School Success | $32,500 |
| Friendship of Women Brownsville, TX | Domestic Violence Prevention Programming | $30,000 |
| Brownsville Society for Crippled Children Aka Moody Clinic Brownsville, TX | Physical, Speech and Occupational Therapy | $30,000 |
| Cameron County Children's Advocacy Center San Benito, TX | Therapy for Child Victims of Abuse | $27,000 |
| Laguna Madre Youth Center Port Isabel, TX | Power hour tutorials and homework help and triple play healthy habits | $20,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $7,683,971 | $1,436,178 | $1,401,063 | $400,000 |
| 2024 | $7,424,802 | $1,388,673 | $1,368,397 | $400,000 |
| 2023 | $7,239,530 | $1,542,077 | $1,577,431 | $468,020 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $7,683,971 | $7,424,802 | $7,239,530 |
| Revenue | $1,436,178 | $1,388,673 | $1,542,077 |
| Expenses | $1,401,063 | $1,368,397 | $1,577,431 |
| Net Investment Income | $384,469 | $306,955 | $209,566 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS January 22, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 15, 2026)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS February 3, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS January 18, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS January 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS December 8, 2023)
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Frank Acevedo as chair, Robin Cowen as vice chair, Michael Limas as immediate past chair, and Carlos Garza as treasurer. Directors listed were Alejandra Aldrete, Christine Cavazos, America De La Rosa, Dalberto Louie De Leon, Michael Craig Grove, and Juan Loya.
United Way of Southern Cameron County is led by Wendy De Leon, President & CEO on every filing since 2023; 2 of 14 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Wendy De Leon
President & CEO
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$65K (2023) → $86K (2025)
Frank Acevedo
Chair
Treasurer → Vice Chair, 2024
Vice Chair → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Irene Hinojosa
Finance Director
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$45K (2019) → $69K (2025)
Juan Loya
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
America De La Rosa
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dalberto Louie De Leon
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Ramirez
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Craig Grove
Director
Campaign Chair → Director, 2025
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alejandra Aldrete
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christine Cavazos
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Monica Tellam
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carlos Garza
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Limas
Immediate Past Chair
Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
Chair → Immediate Past Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robin Cowen
Vice Chair
Director → Treasurer, 2024
Treasurer → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (34)
- Former: Frank Lopez (2019–2024) — Immediate Past Chair
- Former: Manuel Rick Villarreal (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Jaime Garcia (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Dahlia Aguilar (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Juanita Hernandez (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Maribel Guerrero (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Traci Wickett (2019–2023) — President & CEO
- Former: Rick Villarreal (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Pedro Maldonado (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Pam Van Ravenswaay (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Chief Felix Sauceda (2023) — Campaign Chair
- Former: Beatrice Lopez Juarez (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Carla Mancha (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Eric Garza (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Norma Ibarra-Cantu (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Norma Zamora (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Teri Capistran (2020–2022) — Immediate Past Chair
- Former: Art Garza (2019–2021) — Vice Chair
- Former: Jaime Martinez (2019–2021) — Immediate Past Chair
- Former: John T. Edge (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Seema Trakru (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Selma Yznaga (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Heather Scott (2021) — Director
- Former: Armando Sanchez (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Frank Escobedo (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Judith Lucio (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Patti Ayala (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Ronnie Rodriguez (2019–2020) — Immediate Past Chair
- Former: Bea Lopez Juarez (2020) — Director
- Former: Maribel Guerrero Ex-Oficio (2020) — Campaign Chair
- Former: Melinda Rodriguez (2019) — Director
- Former: Rita Hernandez (2019) — Immediate Past Chair
- Former: Rose Longoria (2019) — Director
- Former: Teri Alarcon (2019) — Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $86K, to Wendy De Leon (President & CEO). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 634 E Levee St, Brownsville, TX 78520
Phone: (956) 548-6880
Frequently asked questions about United Way of Southern Cameron County
How much does United Way of Southern Cameron County give each year?
United Way of Southern Cameron County gave $400K across 14 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $400K across 14 grants.
What is United Way of Southern Cameron County's typical grant size?
United Way of Southern Cameron County's median grant in 2025 was $30,000, and its average grant was $28,571, across 14 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does United Way of Southern Cameron County give grants?
United Way of Southern Cameron County gives mostly in Texas: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Brownsville, TX (9 grants) and Port Isabel, TX (3 grants).
Does United Way of Southern Cameron County give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 14 grants with a stated purpose on United Way of Southern Cameron County's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are United Way of Southern Cameron County's largest grantees?
United Way of Southern Cameron County's largest 2025 grantees include Proyecto Juan Diego ($50,000), Boys and Girls Club of Los Fresnos ($40,000) and Good Neighbor Settlement House ($40,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 33% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is United Way of Southern Cameron County?
United Way of Southern Cameron County reported $7.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.4M.
What does United Way of Southern Cameron County fund?
The organization’s mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities to advance the common good. Its 2024 filing describes programs focused on education, financial stability, and health. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from United Way of Southern Cameron County?
The website described separate proposal processes for United Way of Southern Cameron County and the Brownsville Foundation for Health and Education. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is United Way of Southern Cameron County's EIN?
United Way of Southern Cameron County's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 74-1241385. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching United Way of Southern Cameron County by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in United Way of Southern Cameron County's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Similar funders in Texas
Communities Foundation of Texas Inc
Dallas, TX
Communities Foundation of Texas funds a broad range of community needs, including health, education, housing, and community development, primarily in North Texas and across Texas. Its 2025 grants had a median of about $18,800, though amounts varied widely; nearly all opportunities are by invitation, with some specific programs open for applications.
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
2,209
Total Given
$209.2M
Greater Houston Community Foundation
Houston, TX
The Foundation makes grants through donor-advised and other donor-established funds for public benefit, human services, education, and health, including initiatives addressing economic mobility and poverty in Harris County. In 2024, its median grant was $25,000; it serves Greater Houston, while grants also go to recipients elsewhere in Texas and beyond. It does not accept proposals for the upcoming High-Impact Grantmaking cycle and plans to invite selected organizations or collaboratives to apply.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
1,724
Total Given
$232.3M
BNSF Railway Foundation
Fort Worth, TX
The BNSF Railway Foundation funds civic, cultural, education, health and human services, environmental, and youth programs, including operating costs and specific projects. Its 2025 median grant was $2,500, though awards ranged from $100 to $500,000; it supports eligible organizations serving communities near BNSF rail lines across its 28 operating states. The foundation provides an online application process, but whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$23.0M
Grants
993
Total Given
$7.0M
Baker Hughes Foundation
Houston, TX
Assets
$2.2M
Grants
990
Total Given
$3.2M
Community Foundation of North Texas (Tax
Fort Worth, TX
The foundation supports nonprofits and community projects in areas including animal welfare, nonprofit capacity building, first responders, land conservation, neighborhood development, opportunity and access, and scholarships. In 2024, grants ranged from $5,100 to $1.5 million, with a median of $14,250; its service area covers 11 North Texas counties. It accepts applications for some competitive grant programs through its online portal, but donor-advised grants are not open to nonprofit applications.
Assets
$544.9M
Grants
872
Total Given
$41.3M
Michael & Susan Dell Foundation
Austin, TX
The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation funds education, health, jobs and livelihoods, and family economic stability, with its deepest U.S. focus in Texas and additional work across the U.S. and internationally. In 2024 it awarded 835 grants totaling about $164.6 million; grants ranged from $75 to $50 million, with a median of $19,324. It accepts unsolicited requests through its online application process.
Assets
$7.8B
Grants
835
Total Given
$164.6M
American Heart Association Inc
Dallas, TX
The American Heart Association funds basic, clinical, behavioral, translational and population research on cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and brain health, along with research training and education programs. In 2025 it awarded 833 grants totaling about $198 million; amounts ranged from $5,000 to nearly $9.93 million, with a median of $20,000. Research awards are for eligible U.S.-based nonprofit institutions, and the profile describes a formal proposal process but does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$2.0B
Grants
833
Total Given
$198.2M
Laura and John Arnold Foundation
Houston, TX
Arnold Ventures funds evidence-based research, policy analysis, and reforms in areas including criminal justice, health care, education, higher education, public finance, and infrastructure, with a focus on improving outcomes for Americans. Its 2024 grants ranged from $685 to $12.5 million, with a median of $122,776. It does not accept unsolicited requests; most proposals come through direct outreach, with periodic RFPs.
Assets
$4.8B
Grants
789
Total Given
$193.3M
The Dallas Foundation
Dallas, TX
The Dallas Foundation funds nonprofit work in Greater Dallas, with a current emphasis on early childhood and family well-being and other areas including economic mobility, homelessness, and youth mental health. In 2024, grants ranged from $5,020 to $7.85 million, with a median of $25,000; applicants generally must serve Dallas County residents. It accepts applications through its online portal when a grant cycle is open, but reports no open opportunities at this time.
Assets
$491.5M
Grants
788
Total Given
$87.3M
Petco Love
San Antonio, TX
Petco Love funds animal-welfare organizations working on adoption, shelter-pet lifesaving, veterinary care, spay/neuter, emergency treatment, and reuniting lost pets with families, with grantmaking nationwide. In 2025, its grants ranged from $5,004 to $1,501,620, with a median of $13,370. It accepts applications for some opportunities through its Partner Portal during designated windows; some cycles are invitation-only.
Assets
$25.1M
Grants
784
Total Given
$21.2M
Austin Community Foundation Inc
Austin, TX
Austin Community Foundation funds nonprofits and public entities in areas including arts and culture, education, community development, environment, health, and human services, with a focus on strengthening Central Texas. Its 2024 grants had a median of $20,000, though awards ranged widely; its primary service area includes Bastrop, Burnet, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson Counties. Whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$556.3M
Grants
764
Total Given
$54.7M
More Funders in Texas
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). United Way of Southern Cameron County funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 4, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/united-way-of-southern-cameron-county-morg_81a89e8e048941dbbd35b50ab3c73dc8
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_741241385_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{United Way of Southern Cameron County funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/united-way-of-southern-cameron-county-morg_81a89e8e048941dbbd35b50ab3c73dc8},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-04. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from United Way of Southern Cameron County'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.
United Way of Southern Cameron County down — hundreds of funders to go?