Search Through Environmental Education Grants in Corpus Christi, Texas in the U.S.

Who We Are

The Creag Foundation is a private grant making foundation established in 2009 in Woodinville, Washington.

The founders of the Creag Foundation believe that meaningful change can only be achieved through hard work, creativity and passion. They also understand the practical mechanisms that allow charitable organizations to succeed and grow. As a group, Creag Foundation principals are dedicated to helping today’s most innovative programs improve the human condition in a wide variety of ways.

Our Focus

The broad purpose of the Foundation is to support the efforts of nonprofit organizations who are innovators in the field of human services. Our particular focus is on smaller organizations that are starting out or established organizations that are looking for funding to take their organization in a new direction.

What We Fund

/ What We Fund

The Creag Foundation is focused on innovation in the industry. We will consider proposals from 501(c)(3) organizations that are finding new ways to address societal issues facing the nonprofit community. Applicants must have held 501(c)(3) status for one year before submitting. If your organization has held 501(c)(3) status for over a year, and your believe that your organization has a new approach to an existing social problem or is addressing a previously unaddressed social issue, you are welcome to contact us and request that we consider your organization for a funding opportunity.

Background

Our Community Investment Program contributes to nonprofit organizations that operate within the immediate H-E-B service area. Depending on the need we may contribute in-kind product, volunteers, or monetary funding towards activities, projects, and causes that make a visible and possible difference. Our Community Investment Program primarily supports organizations focused on arts and humanities, disaster relief, diversity and inclusion, education and literacy, environmental and sustainability, health and wellness, hunger relief, military and veteran support, and general social services.

Please see FAQs for additional guidelines.

PNC Foundation

Strengthening and enriching the lives of our neighbors in communities where we live and work.

Vision & Mission

For decades, we have provided resources to seed ideas, foster development initiatives and encourage leadership in nonprofit organizations where imagination and determination are at work enhancing people's lives everyday.

The PNC Foundation's priority is to form partnerships with community-based nonprofit organizations in order to enhance educational opportunities, with an emphasis on early childhood education, and to promote the growth of communities through economic development initiatives.

Foundation Grant

The PNC Foundation supports a variety of nonprofit organizations with a special emphasis on those that work to achieve sustainability and touch a diverse population, in particular, those that support early childhood education and/or economic development.

Education

The PNC Foundation supports educational programs for children and youth, particularly early childhood education initiatives that meet the criteria established through PNC Grow Up Great. Specifically, PNC Grow Up Great grants must:

• Support early education initiatives that benefit children from birth to age five; and
• Serve a majority of children (>50%) from low- to moderate-income families; and
• Adhere to all other standard PNC Foundation guidelines, as outlined on the PNC Foundation website, applicant eligibility quiz, as well as the Foundation policies and procedures; and
• Include one or a combination of the following:
  • direct services/programs for children in their classroom or community;
  • professional development/workforce development for early childhood educators;
  • family and/or community engagement in children’s early learning
• Additional considerations:
  • The grant focus should include math, science, reading, vocabulary development, the arts, financial education, or social/emotional development.
  • The grant recipient, or collaborative partner, should have early childhood education as an area of focus. If the organization’s focus is beyond birth to age five, the specific grant must be earmarked for birth to age five.
  • Incorporate opportunities for PNC volunteers in classroom or non-classroom-based activities.

Economic Development

Economic development organizations, including those which enhance the quality of life through neighborhood revitalization, cultural enrichment and human services are given support. Priority is given to community development initiatives that strategically promote the growth of low-and moderate-income communities and/or provide services to these communities.

• Affordable Housing
  • The PNC Foundation understands the critical need for affordable housing for low-and moderate-income individuals.
  • We are committed to providing support to nonprofit organizations that:
    • give counseling and services to help these individuals maintain their housing stock;
    • offer transitional housing units and programs; and/or
    • offer credit counseling assistance to individuals, helping them to prepare for homeownership.
• Community Development
  • Because small businesses are often critical components of community growth and help foster business development, the PNC Foundation provides support to nonprofit organizations that
    • offer technical assistance to, or loan programs for, small businesses located in low-and moderate-income areas or
    • support small businesses that employ low-and moderate-income individuals.
• Community Services
  • Support is given to social services organizations that benefit the health, education, quality of life or provide essential services for low-and moderate-income individuals and families.
  • The PNC Foundation supports job training programs and organizations that provide essential services for their families.
• Arts & Culture
  • Support is given for cultural enrichment programs benefitting the community.
• Revitalization & Stabilization of Low-and Moderate-Income Areas
  • The PNC Foundation supports nonprofit organizations that serve low-and moderate-income neighborhoods by improving living and working conditions.
  • Support is given to organizations that help stabilize communities, eliminate blight and attract and retain businesses and residents to the community.

Mission

Driven by a philanthropic calling to support marginalized communities throughout the world, the Semnani Family Foundation partners with on-the-ground organizations and leverages its resources in a cost-effective and efficient manner that delivers the maximum benefit.

History

Guided by his grandmother Maliheh’s example and teachings, Khosrow Semnani and his wife Ghazaleh established the Semnani Family Foundation in 1993. The foundation’s first grant was issued through CARE International to an orphanage in Romania that cared for newborns affected by HIV. Over the last few decades, the foundation has continued to build upon its mission to empower the disaffected, partnering with a variety of organizations in different countries who can make the greatest impact.

In addition to its global influence, the Semnani Family Foundation established roots within the state of Utah with the founding of Maliheh Free Clinic in 2005 to provide free healthcare to thousands of uninsured people in the Salt Lake City area.

Where We Work

The Semnani Family Foundation focuses primarily on promoting health, education, and disaster relief for marginalized communities all around the world. Driven by a clear mission to adapt and serve at the global level, we have leveraged our resources to make a meaningful impact in the following countries so far:

• Afghanistan
• Bosnia
• Colombia
• England
• Ethiopia
• Ghana
• Guatemala
• India
• Iran
• Kenya
• Madagascar
• Mali
• Mexico
• Pakistan
• Philippines
• Romania
• Somalia
• South Africa
• Tanzania
• Tonga
• Uganda
• United States
• Yemen

At the heart of the Foundation lies a fervent commitment to human welfare, always prioritizing health and the needs of society’s most vulnerable.

The Sidney Stern Memorial Trust is devoted solely to the funding of charitable, scientific, medical and educational organizations.

The Board endeavors to support soundly-managed charitable organizations that give service with a broad scope, have a substantial effect on their target populations, and contribute materially to the general welfare. The Board does not discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation or religion.

Valero Energy Foundation 

Valero, its employees and the Valero Energy Foundation are committed to improving the quality of life in communities where we work and live, fulfilling a mission that was set from the beginning. We set the standard for corporate citizenship and promotes prosperity in our communities. 

The Valero Energy Foundation -- a public charity and Valero's philanthropic arm -- funds nonprofit agencies that serve predominantly disadvantaged children and families. In 2019, the Foundation contributed appoximately $40 million in assistance in the communities where Valero has major operations.

Four Pillars of Support

Our funding focuses on our four pillars of giving in communities where we have major operations.

• Basic Needs:  Valero gives assistance to agencies that provide basic needs of life, including shelter, food and clothing necessary for the development of a strong and safe community. 
• Health Care: We invest in the development of strategic community health resources and facilities that will support the needs of all members of our nearby communities, with major gifts going to children’s hospitals, university medical centers and service providers that offer specialized health care services and programs.
• Education: Valero is a strong advocate of education as it creates a necessary foundation for all children to thrive and for adults to lead productive lives. 
• Civic: We support civic and environmental initiatives directly related to the success of the communities where we live and work.

Centene Charitable Foundation

Successful corporate citizenship happens when companies invest in the local organizations that know their communities best. The Centene Foundation works with our local partners on initiatives that focus on inclusion, the whole person and community development.

Vision

Centene’s purpose is transforming the health of the community, one person at a time. The Centene Foundation is an essential part of how we pursue this purpose. We achieve measurable impact for the communities we serve through partnerships and philanthropy efforts that invest in initiatives with holistic approaches to dismantling barriers to health.

Areas of Focus

Reflecting Centene’s commitment to the needs of those who rely on government-sponsored health care and to addressing social determinants of health and health equity, preference will be given to initiatives in three distinct areas of focus.

• Healthcare Access
• Social Services
• Education

The Foundation is dedicated to providing financial assistance to organizations committed to improving our world. Solutions to the problems of today's world still lie in the values of innovation, practicality, hard work, and compassion.

The Foundation considers applications for grants in the following areas:

• Education
• Social Service
• Health care
• Civic and cultural
• Environmental

The categories above are not intended to limit the interest of the Foundation from considering other worthwhile projects. In general, the Foundation guidelines are broad to give us flexibility in providing grants.

The majority of our grants are made in the U.S. However, like Dr. Scholl, we recognize the need for a global outlook. Non-U.S. grants are given to organizations where directors have knowledge of the grantee.

Earl C. Sams Foundation

The Earl C. Sams Foundation, Inc. was originally organized under the laws of New York on December 9, 1946. The original assets of the Foundation consisted of forty thousand shares of common stock of J. C. Penney Company. The administration of the Foundation was originally conducted in New York, but after the death of Earl C. Sams on July 23, 1950, the administration was moved to Brownsville, Texas. Administration of the Foundation was subsequently moved to Corpus Christi, Texas; and the Foundation was converted into a Texas foundation by a series of legal steps, which were completed in June of 1988. Since its inception in 1946, the Foundation has given out over $48 million in grants.

The Foundation awards grants to a wide array of charities, primarily in the South Texas area, for many projects in various educational, medical, social, religious and environmental fields.

Grantmaking Guidelines

The Foundation makes grants to a wide array of charities, for many projects in various educational, medical, social, religious and environmental fields.

While the Foundation does periodically fund scholarships at various institutions, the institution, not the Foundation, determines the recipients of those scholarship funds.

The Mission of the Foundation is to improve the quality of life in the Coastal Bend by building community endowment and addressing social, educational, environmental, and cultural needs through the awarding of grants and scholarships.

The Foundation’s Vision is to provide the Coastal Bend with:

• Efficient gift options to meet donors’ charitable wishes
• Effective grants to charitable organizations and scholarships to students
• Ethical leadership to promote and enhance area philanthropy

Beecroft Family Scholarship

Established by B.E. Beecroft to assist deserving students in Nueces and San Patricio counties with a desire to attend college.

Coastal Bend Community Foundation 

Forty years ago, the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, together with community leaders Cecil Burney, Pat Eisenhauer and Dick Sells launched a public foundation to promote and encourage philanthropy in the Coastal Bend. With an initial donation of $150,000 from the Paul and Mary Haas Foundation and borrowed office space at the Chamber of Commerce, the Coastal Bend Community Foundation was established in 1981.

Today, the Coastal Bend Community Foundation is one of approximately 900 community foundations in the United States. Its charitable impact has been profound, but it does not accomplish this work alone. Through the generosity of its donors and the foresight of the Foundation’s founders and directors, the Coastal Bend Community Foundation has grown assets to over $108 million while awarding over $141 million in grants and scholarships through 2021.

The Foundation serves the Coastal Bend counties of Aransas, Bee, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Nueces, Refugio and San Patricio through its 307 funds. The Coastal Bend Community Foundation invites anyone who is interested in meeting the charitable needs of this area to partner to “improve the quality of life” in the Coastal Bend.

The Mission of the Foundation is to improve the quality of life in the Coastal Bend by building community endowment and addressing social, educational, environmental, and cultural needs through the awarding of grants and scholarships.

The Foundation’s Vision is to provide the Coastal Bend with:

• Efficient gift options to meet donors’ charitable wishes
• Effective grants to charitable organizations and scholarships to students
• Ethical leadership to promote and enhance area philanthropy

Children’s Orthopedic Association of South Texas (Coast) Scholarship

Established by the Children's Orthopedic Associates of South Texas to assist students planning to pursue a career in medicine or nursing.

The Mission of the Foundation is to improve the quality of life in the Coastal Bend by building community endowment and addressing social, educational, environmental, and cultural needs through the awarding of grants and scholarships.

The Foundation’s Vision is to provide the Coastal Bend with:

• Efficient gift options to meet donors’ charitable wishes
• Effective grants to charitable organizations and scholarships to students
• Ethical leadership to promote and enhance area philanthropy

Corpus Christi Estate Planning Council Scholarship

Established in 2016 to assist students attending either Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi or Del Mar College planning careers similar to those held by members of the Estate Planning Council.

The Mission of the Foundation is to improve the quality of life in the Coastal Bend by building community endowment and addressing social, educational, environmental, and cultural needs through the awarding of grants and scholarships.

The Foundation’s Vision is to provide the Coastal Bend with:

• Efficient gift options to meet donors’ charitable wishes
• Effective grants to charitable organizations and scholarships to students
• Ethical leadership to promote and enhance area philanthropy

Ewi Bobbi Sims Scholarship

Women in transition due to loss of spouse through death or divorce, loss of job, physical disability, health issue, or other circumstances who wish to pursue or complete a higher education degree.

Amount:

• Varies

Coastal Bend Community Foundation 

Forty years ago, the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, together with community leaders Cecil Burney, Pat Eisenhauer and Dick Sells launched a public foundation to promote and encourage philanthropy in the Coastal Bend. With an initial donation of $150,000 from the Paul and Mary Haas Foundation and borrowed office space at the Chamber of Commerce, the Coastal Bend Community Foundation was established in 1981.

Today, the Coastal Bend Community Foundation is one of approximately 900 community foundations in the United States. Its charitable impact has been profound, but it does not accomplish this work alone. Through the generosity of its donors and the foresight of the Foundation’s founders and directors, the Coastal Bend Community Foundation has grown assets to over $108 million while awarding over $141 million in grants and scholarships through 2021.

The Foundation serves the Coastal Bend counties of Aransas, Bee, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Nueces, Refugio and San Patricio through its 307 funds. The Coastal Bend Community Foundation invites anyone who is interested in meeting the charitable needs of this area to partner to “improve the quality of life” in the Coastal Bend.

The Mission of the Foundation is to improve the quality of life in the Coastal Bend by building community endowment and addressing social, educational, environmental, and cultural needs through the awarding of grants and scholarships.

The Foundation’s Vision is to provide the Coastal Bend with:

• Efficient gift options to meet donors’ charitable wishes
• Effective grants to charitable organizations and scholarships to students
• Ethical leadership to promote and enhance area philanthropy

Lay – Sue Kay Lay Memorial Scholarship

Established in memory of Sue Kay Lay, a Baker Junior High School student killed in an automobile accident on June 23, 1970, while visiting the family ranch in Brackettville, Texas. She was 13 years old at the time.

The Mission of the Foundation is to improve the quality of life in the Coastal Bend by building community endowment and addressing social, educational, environmental, and cultural needs through the awarding of grants and scholarships.

The Foundation’s Vision is to provide the Coastal Bend with:

• Efficient gift options to meet donors’ charitable wishes
• Effective grants to charitable organizations and scholarships to students
• Ethical leadership to promote and enhance area philanthropy

Lebleu – Glen Lebleu Education Scholarship

Established in memory of Glen LeBleu.

Coastal Bend Community Foundation 

Forty years ago, the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, together with community leaders Cecil Burney, Pat Eisenhauer and Dick Sells launched a public foundation to promote and encourage philanthropy in the Coastal Bend. With an initial donation of $150,000 from the Paul and Mary Haas Foundation and borrowed office space at the Chamber of Commerce, the Coastal Bend Community Foundation was established in 1981.

Today, the Coastal Bend Community Foundation is one of approximately 900 community foundations in the United States. Its charitable impact has been profound, but it does not accomplish this work alone. Through the generosity of its donors and the foresight of the Foundation’s founders and directors, the Coastal Bend Community Foundation has grown assets to over $108 million while awarding over $141 million in grants and scholarships through 2021.

The Foundation serves the Coastal Bend counties of Aransas, Bee, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Nueces, Refugio and San Patricio through its 307 funds. The Coastal Bend Community Foundation invites anyone who is interested in meeting the charitable needs of this area to partner to “improve the quality of life” in the Coastal Bend.

The Mission of the Foundation is to improve the quality of life in the Coastal Bend by building community endowment and addressing social, educational, environmental, and cultural needs through the awarding of grants and scholarships.

The Foundation’s Vision is to provide the Coastal Bend with:

• Efficient gift options to meet donors’ charitable wishes
• Effective grants to charitable organizations and scholarships to students
• Ethical leadership to promote and enhance area philanthropy

Luis Adan Gonzalez Memorial Scholarship

Established by the family of Luis Adan Gonzalez to assist graduates of any Coastal Bend high school with their post-secondary education. Luis graduated high school in 2014 from Moody High School and received a scholarship from Coastal Bend Community Foundation. He attended Texas A&M University- Kingsville. Luis passed away in 2018 from leukemia.

Coastal Bend Community Foundation 

Forty years ago, the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, together with community leaders Cecil Burney, Pat Eisenhauer and Dick Sells launched a public foundation to promote and encourage philanthropy in the Coastal Bend. With an initial donation of $150,000 from the Paul and Mary Haas Foundation and borrowed office space at the Chamber of Commerce, the Coastal Bend Community Foundation was established in 1981.

Today, the Coastal Bend Community Foundation is one of approximately 900 community foundations in the United States. Its charitable impact has been profound, but it does not accomplish this work alone. Through the generosity of its donors and the foresight of the Foundation’s founders and directors, the Coastal Bend Community Foundation has grown assets to over $108 million while awarding over $141 million in grants and scholarships through 2021.

The Foundation serves the Coastal Bend counties of Aransas, Bee, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Nueces, Refugio and San Patricio through its 307 funds. The Coastal Bend Community Foundation invites anyone who is interested in meeting the charitable needs of this area to partner to “improve the quality of life” in the Coastal Bend.

The Mission of the Foundation is to improve the quality of life in the Coastal Bend by building community endowment and addressing social, educational, environmental, and cultural needs through the awarding of grants and scholarships.

The Foundation’s Vision is to provide the Coastal Bend with:

• Efficient gift options to meet donors’ charitable wishes
• Effective grants to charitable organizations and scholarships to students
• Ethical leadership to promote and enhance area philanthropy

Miller – Brian and Colleen Miller Math and Science Scholarship

Established by Brian and Colleen Miller of Corpus Christi, Texas to honor and show appreciation to the many donors and organizations that assisted them with their college educations through scholarships.

The Mission of the Foundation is to improve the quality of life in the Coastal Bend by building community endowment and addressing social, educational, environmental, and cultural needs through the awarding of grants and scholarships.

The Foundation’s Vision is to provide the Coastal Bend with:

• Efficient gift options to meet donors’ charitable wishes
• Effective grants to charitable organizations and scholarships to students
• Ethical leadership to promote and enhance area philanthropy

Nadkarni - Govind and Bahki Nadkarni Engineering Scholarship

Established by Govind and Bahki Nadkarni to assist Coastal Bend students who intend t study civil engineering at our area universities.

Coastal Bend Community Foundation 

Forty years ago, the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, together with community leaders Cecil Burney, Pat Eisenhauer and Dick Sells launched a public foundation to promote and encourage philanthropy in the Coastal Bend. With an initial donation of $150,000 from the Paul and Mary Haas Foundation and borrowed office space at the Chamber of Commerce, the Coastal Bend Community Foundation was established in 1981.

Today, the Coastal Bend Community Foundation is one of approximately 900 community foundations in the United States. Its charitable impact has been profound, but it does not accomplish this work alone. Through the generosity of its donors and the foresight of the Foundation’s founders and directors, the Coastal Bend Community Foundation has grown assets to over $108 million while awarding over $141 million in grants and scholarships through 2021.

The Foundation serves the Coastal Bend counties of Aransas, Bee, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Nueces, Refugio and San Patricio through its 307 funds. The Coastal Bend Community Foundation invites anyone who is interested in meeting the charitable needs of this area to partner to “improve the quality of life” in the Coastal Bend.

The Mission of the Foundation is to improve the quality of life in the Coastal Bend by building community endowment and addressing social, educational, environmental, and cultural needs through the awarding of grants and scholarships.

The Foundation’s Vision is to provide the Coastal Bend with:

• Efficient gift options to meet donors’ charitable wishes
• Effective grants to charitable organizations and scholarships to students
• Ethical leadership to promote and enhance area philanthropy

Picquet – Jimmie Ruth Picquet Scholarship

In honor of Jimmie Ruth Picquet, a lifelong Bishop resident and a graduate of Bishop High School. She received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history with minors in English from Texas A&I University. Mrs. Picquet was director of the Conner Museum at Texas A&I University for 22 years. She also taught piano for 16 years.

Coastal Bend Community Foundation 

Forty years ago, the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, together with community leaders Cecil Burney, Pat Eisenhauer and Dick Sells launched a public foundation to promote and encourage philanthropy in the Coastal Bend. With an initial donation of $150,000 from the Paul and Mary Haas Foundation and borrowed office space at the Chamber of Commerce, the Coastal Bend Community Foundation was established in 1981.

Today, the Coastal Bend Community Foundation is one of approximately 900 community foundations in the United States. Its charitable impact has been profound, but it does not accomplish this work alone. Through the generosity of its donors and the foresight of the Foundation’s founders and directors, the Coastal Bend Community Foundation has grown assets to over $108 million while awarding over $141 million in grants and scholarships through 2021.

The Foundation serves the Coastal Bend counties of Aransas, Bee, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Nueces, Refugio and San Patricio through its 307 funds. The Coastal Bend Community Foundation invites anyone who is interested in meeting the charitable needs of this area to partner to “improve the quality of life” in the Coastal Bend.

The Mission of the Foundation is to improve the quality of life in the Coastal Bend by building community endowment and addressing social, educational, environmental, and cultural needs through the awarding of grants and scholarships.

The Foundation’s Vision is to provide the Coastal Bend with:

• Efficient gift options to meet donors’ charitable wishes
• Effective grants to charitable organizations and scholarships to students
• Ethical leadership to promote and enhance area philanthropy

RBG – Ruth Bader Ginsburg Memorial Scholarship

Established in 2020 by the Coastal Bend Women Lawyers Association in memory of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Coastal Bend Community Foundation 

Forty years ago, the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, together with community leaders Cecil Burney, Pat Eisenhauer and Dick Sells launched a public foundation to promote and encourage philanthropy in the Coastal Bend. With an initial donation of $150,000 from the Paul and Mary Haas Foundation and borrowed office space at the Chamber of Commerce, the Coastal Bend Community Foundation was established in 1981.

Today, the Coastal Bend Community Foundation is one of approximately 900 community foundations in the United States. Its charitable impact has been profound, but it does not accomplish this work alone. Through the generosity of its donors and the foresight of the Foundation’s founders and directors, the Coastal Bend Community Foundation has grown assets to over $108 million while awarding over $141 million in grants and scholarships through 2021.

The Foundation serves the Coastal Bend counties of Aransas, Bee, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Nueces, Refugio and San Patricio through its 307 funds. The Coastal Bend Community Foundation invites anyone who is interested in meeting the charitable needs of this area to partner to “improve the quality of life” in the Coastal Bend.

The Mission of the Foundation is to improve the quality of life in the Coastal Bend by building community endowment and addressing social, educational, environmental, and cultural needs through the awarding of grants and scholarships.

The Foundation’s Vision is to provide the Coastal Bend with:

• Efficient gift options to meet donors’ charitable wishes
• Effective grants to charitable organizations and scholarships to students
• Ethical leadership to promote and enhance area philanthropy

Rotary Club of Corpus Christi Scholarship

Established by the Rotary Club of Corpus Christi to benefit students with their post-secondary education.

Coastal Bend Community Foundation 

Forty years ago, the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, together with community leaders Cecil Burney, Pat Eisenhauer and Dick Sells launched a public foundation to promote and encourage philanthropy in the Coastal Bend. With an initial donation of $150,000 from the Paul and Mary Haas Foundation and borrowed office space at the Chamber of Commerce, the Coastal Bend Community Foundation was established in 1981.

Today, the Coastal Bend Community Foundation is one of approximately 900 community foundations in the United States. Its charitable impact has been profound, but it does not accomplish this work alone. Through the generosity of its donors and the foresight of the Foundation’s founders and directors, the Coastal Bend Community Foundation has grown assets to over $108 million while awarding over $141 million in grants and scholarships through 2021.

The Foundation serves the Coastal Bend counties of Aransas, Bee, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Nueces, Refugio and San Patricio through its 307 funds. The Coastal Bend Community Foundation invites anyone who is interested in meeting the charitable needs of this area to partner to “improve the quality of life” in the Coastal Bend.

The Mission of the Foundation is to improve the quality of life in the Coastal Bend by building community endowment and addressing social, educational, environmental, and cultural needs through the awarding of grants and scholarships.

The Foundation’s Vision is to provide the Coastal Bend with:

• Efficient gift options to meet donors’ charitable wishes
• Effective grants to charitable organizations and scholarships to students
• Ethical leadership to promote and enhance area philanthropy

Shamsie – Judge Terry Shamsie Scholarship

Established in honor of Judge Terry Shamsie to assist studens with their post-secondary school education.

Coastal Bend Community Foundation 

Forty years ago, the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, together with community leaders Cecil Burney, Pat Eisenhauer and Dick Sells launched a public foundation to promote and encourage philanthropy in the Coastal Bend. With an initial donation of $150,000 from the Paul and Mary Haas Foundation and borrowed office space at the Chamber of Commerce, the Coastal Bend Community Foundation was established in 1981.

Today, the Coastal Bend Community Foundation is one of approximately 900 community foundations in the United States. Its charitable impact has been profound, but it does not accomplish this work alone. Through the generosity of its donors and the foresight of the Foundation’s founders and directors, the Coastal Bend Community Foundation has grown assets to over $108 million while awarding over $141 million in grants and scholarships through 2021.

The Foundation serves the Coastal Bend counties of Aransas, Bee, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Nueces, Refugio and San Patricio through its 307 funds. The Coastal Bend Community Foundation invites anyone who is interested in meeting the charitable needs of this area to partner to “improve the quality of life” in the Coastal Bend.

The Mission of the Foundation is to improve the quality of life in the Coastal Bend by building community endowment and addressing social, educational, environmental, and cultural needs through the awarding of grants and scholarships.

The Foundation’s Vision is to provide the Coastal Bend with:

• Efficient gift options to meet donors’ charitable wishes
• Effective grants to charitable organizations and scholarships to students
• Ethical leadership to promote and enhance area philanthropy

Smith – Roy Smith Memorial Scholarship

Established in memory of Roy Smith by his family to assist students in Nueces County who intend to pursue a degree in Agricultural Sciences. Mr. Smith rose from humble beginnings as a farmer to developing commercial real estate landmarks in Corpus Christi such as Padre Staples Mall now named La Palmera Mall and the shops at La Palmera.

Welcome to the Coastal Bend Community Foundation (CBCF)

We are a tax-exempt, non-profit foundation serving the seven-county region of the Texas Coastal Bend (Aransas, Bee, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Nueces, Refugio and San Patricio). We formed to help donors “pool” their charitable contributions and leverage that giving to benefit worthy causes in the community.

The Mission of the Foundation is to improve the quality of life in the Coastal Bend by building community endowment and addressing social, educational, environmental, and cultural needs through the awarding of grants and scholarships.

The Foundation’s Vision is to provide the Coastal Bend with:

• Efficient gift options to meet donors’ charitable wishes
• Effective grants to charitable organizations and scholarships to students
• Ethical leadership to promote and enhance area philanthropy 

Strawn - Richard L Strawn Accounting Scholarship

Established in memory of Richard L. Strawn.

Community Ties Giving Program

As part of the Community Ties Giving Program, Local Grants help us achieve our mission by providing small and medium-sized grants within our priority cause areas to local organizations spread widely across Union Pacific's footprint.

Funding Priorities & Objectives

Throughout its existence, the success of Union Pacific's business has been inextricably linked to the economic and community wellbeing of cities and towns across the nation. We take pride in the role we have played in helping communities thrive and believe the impact we can have on local communities is greatest when it is authentic to our history and reflective of the diverse company we are today.

As such, we have carefully aligned our Local Grants cause areas to our company's unique heritage, strengths, and assets. Specifically, we prioritize funding for direct services and efforts that build the capacity of organizations focused on the following causes within our local operating communities. Within each focus area, we aim to support programs and organizations working to advance the diversity, equity and inclusion of underrepresented populations within the local context and issue areas addressed. Find more information about our commitment to DEI in our FAQs.

Safety

In order for communities to thrive, all residents must feel safe. Just as the safety of our employees and community members is paramount to how we operate, Union Pacific is committed to helping communities prevent and prepare for incidents and emergencies, and helping residents get home safely at the end of each day. As such, we prioritize funding for projects and programs that seek to: 

• Encourage safe behaviors and prevent incidents through education and awareness, particularly projects which focus on rail, driver, bike, and pedestrian safety, and ensure outreach efforts reach underserved populations.
• Eliminate risks and improve safe and equitable access to community spaces through infrastructure improvements, such as signage, proper lighting, and public trail improvements.
• Prepare and equip residents and emergency responders* to effectively respond to incidents and emergencies if or when they occur.
  • *Union Pacific supports publicly funded emergency responders through a variety of corporate programs; only independent nonprofit, 501(c)(3) emergency response organizations, such as volunteer departments, are eligible for funding through this grant program
• Prevent crime and violent incidents and support survivors of domestic violence through efforts that address the root causes of these issues and seek to mitigate their occurrence.
• Build the capacity of safety-focused organizations to integrate practices that improve upon the diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts of the organization. This can take the form of internal capacity building or the creation/expansion of culturally relevant programming and services that seek to impact a broad and diverse audience. 

Workforce Development

For more than 160 years, Union Pacific has helped stimulate economic growth in cities and towns throughout the nation by training and providing employment to millions of workers. More than ever, we are committed to helping underrepresented residents in our communities achieve family-supporting careers like those offered by Union Pacific. As such, we prioritize funding for programs that seek to:

• Put youth on the right track by creating awareness of and pathways toward employment opportunities; building foundational skills, especially in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM); establishing necessary technical skills and life skills; and providing mentorship and positive role models for the future.
• Raise awareness of, educate and prepare young adults for middle skills jobs like those Union Pacific offers, for instance through community colleges, vocational and career training programs, workforce readiness initiatives, and programs that assist with job placement and/or on-the-job experience.
  • Programs that develop proficiency in areas relevant to Union Pacific operations such as welding, electrical work, machine operations, and civil and electrical engineering are given priority.
• "Up-skill" the existing workforce by providing training and resources that enable them to reach the next level of their career.
  • Programs that develop proficiency in areas of relevance to Union Pacific operations are given priority.
• Resolve barriers to employment such as transportation, childcare, acquiring necessary equipment for work, and second chance employment programs.
• Build the capacity of workforce development-focused organizations to integrate practices that improve upon the diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts of the organization. This can take the form of internal capacity building or the creation/expansion of culturally relevant programming and services that seek to impact a broad and diverse audience. 

Community Vitality

Union Pacific Railroad is committed to establishing vibrant, healthy and inclusive communities for employees, customers and residents to work, visit and call home. Just as the railroad opened avenues for economic development and opportunity more than 160 years ago, we maintain this tradition by cultivating unique cultural and recreational experiences and equipping community members with opportunities to live healthy, vital lives. As such, we prioritize funding for projects and programs that seek to:

• Create, sustain or expand artistic and cultural experiences offered to a broad and diverse audience (e.g., museums, theaters, zoos, cultural and local heritage, visual and performing arts, etc.)
• Provide recreational opportunities that foster wellbeing, enrichment and/or an appreciation for our natural environment (e.g., parks, libraries, senior centers, recreation centers, learning centers, etc.).
• Revive neighborhoods and main street areas, especially in historically underinvested neighborhoods, to improve livability, promote commerce and attract more residents, businesses and visitors to town.
• Ensure residents’ basic needs are met and barriers are overcome (e.g., safe shelter and homelessness prevention, hunger relief, mental health and community health needs, etc.).
• Offer youth development and educational opportunities to ensure young people can thrive into healthy and productive community members (e.g., mentoring, leadership development, tutoring, services for youth in foster care, etc.).
• Build the capacity of community vitality-focused organizations to integrate practices that improve upon the diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts of the organization. This can take the form of internal capacity building or the creation/expansion of culturally relevant programming and services that seek to impact a broad and diverse audience. 

Environmental Sustainability

The future of our business, communities and planet depends on bold, collective action to reduce and slow the impacts of climate change while building a more sustainable economy for the next generation. Union Pacific is taking deliberate steps to reduce our environmental impact and helping our partners improve their own. Extending this commitment to our community investments, we seek to support leading environmental nonprofits and community-based organizations to advance the health of our environment. As such, we prioritize funding for projects and programs that seek to:

• Preserve and restore nature, including programs focused on natural habitats, ecosystems, and biodiversity.
• Protect and enhance water, soil and air quality through innovative and proactive solutions such as water conservation, carbon sequestration and emission reduction programs.
• Reduce waste through initiatives focused on promoting recycling and circularity throughout the community, including recycling and composting programs and other efforts that reduce waste.
• Develop environmental stewards through youth programs focused on fostering environmental appreciation, responsibility, and leadership.
• Advance a sustainable economy by helping communities accelerate their transition to environmental jobs and renewable energy, as well as helping nonprofits and small businesses build their own capacity to operate more sustainably.
• Promote environmental justice through initiatives that ensure access to clean air, water, and land and protect underserved populations from disproportionate and adverse environmental effects.
• Build the capacity of sustainability-focused organizations to integrate practices that improve upon the diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts of the organization. This can take the form of internal capacity building or the creation/expansion of culturally relevant programming and services that seek to impact a broad and diverse audience.

Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation Grant

The Foundation will consider requests to support museums, cultural and performing arts programs; schools and hospitals; educational, skills-training and other programs for youth, seniors, and persons with disabilities; environmental and wildlife protection activities; and other community-based organizations and programs.

Community Partnership Award

The Mutual of America Foundation Community Partnership Award recognizes outstanding nonprofit organizations in the United States that have shown exemplary leadership by facilitating partnerships with public, private or social sector leaders who are working together as equal partners, not as donors and recipients, to build a cohesive community that serves as a model for collaborating with others for the greater good.

Each year, the Mutual of America Foundation sponsors a national competition in which hundreds of organizations demonstrate the value of their partnership to the communities they serve, their ability to be replicated by others and their capacity to stimulate new approaches to addressing significant social issues.

Six organizations are selected by an independent committee to receive the Community Partnership Award.

• The Thomas J. Moran Award is given to the national award-winning program and includes $100,000 and a documentary video about the program.
• The Frances R. Hesselbein Award is given to a partnership that is addressing social challenges in more than one community, or which demonstrates the potential to be replicated in other communities. This recipient receives $75,000.
• Four other organizations are named Honorable Mention recipients for their programs, and each receives $50,000.

Since its inception in 1996, the Community Partnership Award has recognized 262 partnerships from cities and towns across America. Like so many of our clients working in the nonprofit community, Mutual of America is dedicated to having a direct, positive impact on society.