Foundation for Southeast Texas Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $4,379,495 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 12 weeks (January application, awards by May)
• Grant Range: $500 - $5,000 (typical competitive grants)
• Geographic Focus: Hardin, Jefferson, and Orange Counties, TX (plus Chambers County and Bolivar Peninsula of Galveston County)

Contact Details

Website: www.fsetx.org Phone: 409-833-5775 Email: director@cfsetx.org Mailing Address: PO Box 3092, Beaumont, TX 77704 Executive Director: Mellie Bevilacqua

Overview

Founded in 1996, the Foundation for Southeast Texas is a community foundation serving nonprofits in Southeast Texas. With approximately 28 designated, donor-advised, unrestricted, and scholarship funds under management, the Foundation has invested $18 million in the region and supported over 500 nonprofits since its inception. In 2024 alone, the Foundation financially supported more than 150 Southeast Texas nonprofits, awarding $4.4 million in grants. Under the leadership of Executive Director Mellie Bevilacqua since 2014, the Foundation has experienced meaningful growth in both assets and impact. The Foundation's mission is 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.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Competitive Grants Program: $500 - $5,000 (Annual cycle - applications open January, close mid-February)
• Endowed Designated Fund Grants: Up to 5% of fund value (Distributed in January)
• Donor-Advised Fund Grants: Variable amounts (Throughout the year at donor request)
• Scholarship Programs: Various funds maintained for educational support

Priority Areas

• Arts and culture
• Preservation
• Education
• Health
• Social services
• Youth and elderly programs
• Economic development
• Civic affairs

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals
• Political purposes
• Financing fundraisers
• Endowments
• Religious purposes
• Paying off indebtedness
• Regular salaries (special programming and contracted specialists considered)
• Applications supporting only one person or family
• Other foundations

Governance and Leadership

Executive Director: Mellie Bevilacqua (since 2014) - A lifelong Beaumont resident with a BBA in Finance from Lamar University. Under her leadership, the Foundation has expanded its reach and increased its ability to support nonprofits across the region.

Board Officers:

• Courtney Arkeen - Vice President
• Tina Bradley - Secretary
• Denise LeBlanc - Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair

Board Members: Bobby Beaver, Ben Broussard, Brooke Carroll, Cody Cupit, Ron Fletcher, Phyllis Geans, Megan Layne, Valerie Lewis, Donean Surratt, David Thieme, Linsi Walker, Roy West (Mayor of Beaumont)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Eligibility:

• Must be a qualified 501(c)(3) or governmental tax-exempt organization
• Must have been in operation for at least one full year
• Must serve populations in Hardin, Jefferson, Orange, or Chambers Counties, or the Bolivar Peninsula of Galveston County
• Only one competitive grant application per nonprofit per year

Process:

1. Application opens in January
2. Submit online at www.fsetx.org/competitive-grant-application
3. Deadline: Mid-February
4. Grants committee may request an interview
5. Awards announced by May 1

Decision Timeline

• Application Opens: January
• Application Deadline: Mid-February
• Review Period: February - April
• Awards Announced: By May 1
• Project Period: May 1 - April 30 (following year)

Success Rates

The Foundation awarded 40 competitive grants in 2024. Historical data shows:

• 2024: 40 awards
• 2023: 27 awards
• 2022: 31 awards
• 2021: 29 awards
• 2020: 33 awards

Reapplication Policy

Organizations that receive a competitive grant must submit a grant report by February 1 prior to applying for another competitive grant. The Foundation will not accept a new application until the previous grant report has been received.

Application Success Factors

• Geographic alignment: Ensure your organization serves the Foundation's specific service area - applications from outside this area will not be considered
• Budget transparency: If salary budget exceeds 50% of total budget, provide thorough explanation - Foundation prefers funding programming over operational costs
• Project specificity: Focus on clear, specific project plans within the May 1 - April 30 project period
• Accountability: Submit grant reports on time - late or missing reports disqualify future applications
• Organizational stability: Demonstrate at least one full year of operations
• Exclusive use commitment: Be prepared to use grant funds solely for the requested purpose

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• One annual opportunity: With only one competitive grant cycle per year and one application per organization limit, make your submission count
• Geographic specificity is essential: Must serve Hardin, Jefferson, Orange, or Chambers Counties, or Bolivar Peninsula of Galveston County
• Modest grant amounts: Typical competitive grants range from $500-$5,000 - tailor requests appropriately
• Accountability matters: Previous recipients must submit reports by February 1 or cannot reapply
• Programming over operations: Foundation prefers funding special programming and contracted specialists rather than regular salaries
• Community foundation model: Multiple funding streams (donor-advised, endowed, competitive) serve different purposes
• Established organizations preferred: One-year operational requirement demonstrates stability and community commitment

References

1. Foundation for Southeast Texas Official Website - www.fsetx.org (Accessed February 24, 2026)
2. Foundation for Southeast Texas Competitive Grant Application Page - https://www.fsetx.org/competitive-grant-application (Accessed February 24, 2026)
3. Foundation for Southeast Texas "For NonProfits" Page - https://www.fsetx.org/for-non-profits (Accessed February 24, 2026)
4. Foundation for Southeast Texas "In Our Corner" Staff Page - https://www.fsetx.org/in-our-corner (Accessed February 24, 2026)
5. GuideStar Profile - Foundation for Southeast Texas Inc - https://www.guidestar.org/profile/76-0530567 (Accessed February 24, 2026)
6. Candid Foundation Directory - https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=FOUN461 (Accessed February 24, 2026)
7. Cause IQ Profile - https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/foundation-for-southeast-texas,760530567/ (Accessed February 24, 2026)
8. Instrumentl 990 Report - https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/foundation-for-southeast-texas-inc (Accessed February 24, 2026)
9. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/760530567 (Accessed February 24, 2026)
10. Inside Philanthropy - https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant-places/texas-grants/foundation-for-southeast-texas (Accessed February 24, 2026)