What is a Community Foundation? While the community foundation concept is new in South Texas, the idea has been in existence for almost 100 years. The first community foundation was established by Frederick Goff in Cleveland in 1914. Goff, a trust banker, realized the value of creating endowments to benefit future citizens of his community. Presently there are over seven hundred community foundations in the United States and approximately thirty two in the state of Texas. A community foundation is an independent, tax-exempt public charity created by and for the people in a local area. They enable people with philanthropic interest to support issues they care about, easily and effectively. They create long term assets for communities to sustain the people who live there. Through philanthropy that is visionary, flexible and inclusive, community foundations have become catalysts for improvement. They strengthen communities by making it possible for a wide range of donors to create permanent charitable endowments to meet critical needs. Why Texas Valley Communities Foundation? The needs of our Rio Grande Valley communities are various. TVCOF focus areas are: Hidalgo, Cameron, Willacy and Starr Counties which is home to over 1 million people, 89% of whom are Hispanic. Thirty-eight percent (38%) of Valley people live in extreme poverty. The Valley's population has increased 40% since 1990, yet employment opportunities have not matched that growth. Our communities have urgent needs in the areas of youth, education, health and housing sectors. The four counties which TVCOF serve encompass a large area in need of a community foundation that can fill the void for Valley families. TVCOF believes that as we build a more philanthropic community, we'll be able to strengthen our ability to answer those needs and make a greater impact in our communities. Why Choose a Community Foundation? Through the Texas Valley Community Foundation you can give forever, qualify for tax savings, receive fund management services, rely on full accountability and have assistance to identify potential grantees that match your interests. Beyond the grant-making activities, community foundations also research current and emerging issues, stimulate resources to address those needs and help their region prepare for the future. In addition, TVCOF will seek pass-through funds to support community projects. TVCOF offers local residents the opportunity to consider creating a personal legacy in the Rio Grande Valley’s four county by establishing a fund in their name or in the name of their family. Grants made from a named fund will be awarded to charities with donor recognition. It’s a great way for donors to be remembered for the love and care they had for their community.
The Texas Valley Communities Foundation (TVCOF) is a four- year old, 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation located in the US – Mexico border city of Edinburg, Texas and focuses its efforts within the Rio Grande Valley, comprised of four counties – Hidalgo, Willacy, Starr, and Cameron. The mission of the Foundation is to create endowments to address the critical needs of the communities of the Rio Grande Valley. In 2001, the University of Texas Pan-American, under the Division of External Affairs, hosted the Annual U.S. - Mexico Border Summit bringing speakers from major national and Texas foundations including the San Diego Community Foundation and the Synergos Institute to discuss the need for major philanthropic investments along the border. Dr. Roland S. Arriola, Vice-President of External Affairs took an active part in these discussions and eventually was named Chair of the group formed to implement this strategy. In the fall of 2002, a group of national funders joined to form the U.S. Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership. They had pooled approximately 8 million dollars to be awarded to community foundations along the border to fund projects that will significantly improve the quality of life along the border. Texas Valley Communities Foundation is part of this partnership and benefits from access to technical assistance, networking opportunities with other regional foundations, and operational and grant making financial support. In December, 2005 The Texas Valley Community Foundation was selected to participate in the Houston Endowment’s Texas Border Challenge Grant Program. This program would be managed by the Synergos Institute. During the first year of operations, Texas Valley Communities Foundation was incubated at the University of Texas Pan American with assistance of the Southwest Border Nonprofit Resource Center (SBNRC). It was understood that Texas Valley Communities Foundation was an entity in its own right, rather than part of the institution. The goal was to facilitate the creation and implementation of the Foundation during the first year planning phase. Thereafter, Texas Valley Communities Foundation would have its own staff and facility. Texas Valley Communities Foundation is currently located at 2836 W. Trenton in the city of Edinburg. The Foundation has a diverse board of directors; it is composed of committed leaders of the community who share the values and understand the needs held and challenges faced by the Rio Grande Valley’s communities. The board members have a diverse background, experience and expertise in business, finance, marketing, banking, grant making, and community and economic development. |
Dr. Roland Arriola – President Recently retired as Vice President for Community Engagement at the University of Texas-Pan American, Dr. Arriola serves as President of the Texas Valley Communities Foundation. In seven years as UTPA Vice President, Dr. Arriola and his team increased the University’s endowment from $18 million to more than $68 million (ranking UTPA in the top 25% of 750 public masters universities in the nation); generated more than $100 million in the public and private investment in the regional economy; and raised more than $6 million per year in public service funding. Dr. Arriola holds a BA from Baylor, an MPA from Harvard, and a Doctorate in Education from the University of Pennsylvania. Joseph F. Phillips – Vice President Mr. Phillips served on the Sharyland School Board from 1994 to 2003 and has made major scholarship contributions to UTPA. He and his brother, Tommy, built his family’s McAllen-area petroleum distribution business into one of the largest fuel and convenience store chains in South Texas. The family business, Phillips Properties, Inc. also became a major Burger King franchisee in the Valley and the San Antonio/Austin corridor. The Phillips brothers sold many of their businesses a few years ago and Joseph Phillips continues to operate a truck stop chain in the San Antonio area as well as managing other investments. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from the University of Texas. Dale Winter – Secretary Mr. Winter is the CEO of Office Furniture USA in McAllen. He is active in numerous civic and service organizations: Better Business Bureau, Rotary Club, McAllen Business Alliance, Palm Bowl, South Texas Symphony, McAllen Performing Arts, Valley Partnership, McAllen Chamber of Commerce, McAllen Chamber Ambassadors, McAllen Greeters, UTPA Alumni Association, UTPA Foundation Board, Valley Wrestling Officials Association, Texas Wrestling Officials Association and the National Wrestling Officials Association. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from UTPA. Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa – Legal Counsel Senator Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa serves as Legal Counsel for Texas Valley Communities Foundation. After serving in the U.S. Marines, Hinojosa earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Pan American University and a law degree from Georgetown University. Hinojosa was first elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1981 where he served eight terms before being elected to the Texas Senate in 2002. Hinojosa has twice been named one of Texas’ top 10 legislators by Texas Monthly magazine. Other honors bestowed on Hinojosa include: The National Organization for Women (NOW) “Legislator of the Year”; the prestigious John Henry Faulk Award, presented by the American Civil Liberties Union; and the “Texas Medicines Best Legislator” award from the Texas Medical Association for his work to restore Children’s Health Insurance Program funding and improve childhood immunization rates. Eduardo Caso – Board Member Mr. Caso is the Senior Vice President and Manager for International Banking at Wells Fargo Bank, Rio Grande Valley. Mr. Caso has worked as a counselor in international trade with the Federal Business Development Bank of Canada; as the deputy commissioner general at the World Fair-EXPO ’86; and trade commissioner with the Consulate General of Mexico. He is an international relations specialist from the National University of Mexico and hold a Master’s Degree in Government and Business Administration from the University of Texas in Brownsville. Celeste Cantu-Roach – Board Member Ms. Cantu-Roach is a philanthropist with a passion for education. She serves on the Sharyland Education Foundation and has been an avid community volunteer in the Rio Grande Valley for many years. Her volunteer work extends to many charitable organizations including Mujeres Unidas (Women Together) and Comfort House. Rosa Elia Gonzales – Board Member Ms. Gonzalez and her family operate a number of Subway franchises in Starr County. They also own and operate R.E. Supplies in Rio Grande City. Ms. Gonzalez has been actively involved in several civic groups and community projects. The Rotary Club of Rio Grande City welcomed her as the first female member of Starr County in 1994. She represents Starr County on several boards with a goal to improve the quality of life for the local community. Diane Willis – Board Member Ms. Willis is the principal at Hargill Elementary in Hargill, Texas. She has been an educator with the Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District for the past 18 years. She serves as secretary on the board of the UTPA Alumni Association. Her dedication to the students of Edinburg has compelled her to continue her education by obtaining a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education and a degree in Educational Administration from the University of Texas Pan American.
Texas Valley Communities Foundation is located at the southernmost tip of Texas, just minutes away from the U.S. - Mexico border. Mailing Address: 1098 W. Expressway 83 Mercedes, Texas 78570 office@tvcof.org Phone: (956) 903-4231 Fax: (956) 903-4132 |
| TVCOF Team |