Governor Abbott Presents More Than $5.8 Million In Grants For South Texas Veterans Groups

TEXAS, September 15 - September 15, 2026 | Harlingen, Texas | Press Release

Governor Greg Abbott today awarded more than $5.8 million in Funds for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) grants to 21 organizations serving South Texas veterans and their families at a grant presentation ceremony. These investments, administered by the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC), will expand access to critical services for an estimated 2,827 veterans.

“Texas ranks number one in America when it comes to veteran services, and those who answer the nation’s call deserve the very best the state has to offer,” said Governor Abbott. “These grants will expand access to critical services for thousands of veterans and their families, including meals, housing, job training, financial assistance, and a whole lot more.”

“Our veterans and their families have done a lot for our country and our state, and this is a way the state can pay them back,” said TVC Executive Director Tom Palladino. “These organizations provide a network of resources out there to meet our veterans' needs.”

During his remarks, Governor Abbott recognized the sacrifice of American service members and highlighted ways that Texas takes care of those who served. Last session, he eliminated bureaucratic barriers to help more organizations provide meals, ​housing, ​job training, ​​financial assistance, and other critical services to Texas veterans.

The event was part of TVC’s Grants Across Texas Tour, highlighting organizations across the state that are putting FVA grant funding to work for Texas veterans and their families. The Governor was joined at the grant presentation by Harlingen Mayor Norma Sepulveda, TVC Executive Director Thomas Palladino, TVC Deputy Executive Director Shawn Deabay, grant recipients, veterans, and other local leaders 

In May, TVC Commissioners approved 190 grants totaling more than $40.8 million to 160 organizations across Texas. These grants are anticipated to provide direct services to more than 125,000 veterans, their dependents, and surviving spouses across Texas.

The FVA grant recipients and their services include:

• Bee County: $50,000 for Financial Assistance
• Cameron County: $400,000 for Financial Assistance
• City of Corpus Christi: $300,000 for Food Meal Services
• City of Harlingen:
  • $275,000 for Housing for Texas Heroes
  • $200,000 for Financial Assistance
• City of Laredo: $250,000 for Housing for Texas Heroes
• Coastal Bend Council of Governments: $200,000 for Elder Care
• Community Action Corporation of South Texas:
  • $124,000 for Housing for Texas Heroes
  • $95,000 for Financial Assistance
• Council on Alcohol & Drug Abuse Coastal Bend: $350,000 for Housing for Texas Heroes
• Golden Crescent Habitat for Humanity: $250,000 for Housing for Texas Heroes
• Gold Crescent Regional Planning Commission: $100,000 for Elder Care
• Goodwill Industries of South Texas: $200,000 for Trade Skills Training
• Hidalgo County (VCO): $400,000 for Housing for Texas Heroes
• Hidalgo County (VCO Non-Clinical): $200,000 for Non-Clinical Mental Health
• Hidalgo County Community Service Agency: $400,000 for Financial Assistance
• Meals on Wheels South Texas: $52,000 for Food Meal Services
• Nueces County: $200,000 for Veterans Treatment Court
• San Patricio County: $100,000 for Financial Assistance
• Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid: $215,000 for Pro Bono Legal Services
• The Salvation Army - Corpus Christi: $200,000 for Financial Assistance
• Webb County:
  • $176,000 for Transportation Services
  • $300,000 for Veterans Treatment Court
• Willacy County: $150,000 for Financial Assistance
• Zapata County:
  • $300,000 for Financial Assistance
  • $400,000 for Housing for Texas Heroes

Additional photos will be provided here when available.