Our Community Foundation's History

This community foundation, led by a board of 30 leaders from Hardin, Jefferson and Orange counties was established in late 1996 to respond to continuously changing and emerging community needs. It is different from other foundations in that it has many donors whose combined gifts can address many areas of concern including: arts and culture, preservation, education, health, social services, youth, the elderly, economic development, faith groups and civic affairs.

 

Since 1998, we have granted over three million dollars to nonprofits in Southeast Texas and to other national nonprofits through our 28 designated, donor-advised, scholarship and unrestricted funds. Our Annual Report shows a complete listing of the grants made in the past year, but here are just a few of the areas we have supported:

 

Human Services 

United Way – four directed endowed funds benefiting United Way agencies

Some Other Place – donor advised funds and competitive grants for clothing and food to the needy Beaumont Community Partners for children – emergency supplies for Rainbow Room

Salvation Army – Orange and Beaumont-emergency supplies and equipment

 

Education

Communities in Schools – Supplies for Family Reading Nights in various schools

Vidor ACE After School Program – Supplies for after school programing 

 

Arts and Culture

Beaumont Children’s Museum – Purchase components for traveling exhibit

Museum of the Gulf Coast – Repairs of program areas
Young Audience of Southeast Texas – Programing for arts curriculum in area schools
 

Health

Southeast Texas Hospice-cover cost of service to one family

Alzheimer Association – educational programs for families of patients

 

The Foundation provides other services to the community. In addition to assisting donors in their philanthropic endeavors to find the vehicle that fits their needs, we provide office and meeting space for nonprofits. The Foundation owns an attractive, newly refurbished building at 700 North Street in downtown Beaumont. Office suites are leased to nonprofit organizations at below market rates. The lease includes wireless internet access and the use of three meeting rooms with state of the art furnishings for conferences, meetings and training.

 

We joined other area foundations and established the Southeast Texas Nonprofit Center, an organization housed in our building, that assists nonprofits with the business of running a nonprofit.

 

Click here to view a complete list of current funds in the Foundation for Southeast Texas

 

Click here to view a list of Competitive Grants awarded in 2017