The concept of a single, efficient fundraising drive brought Brownsville's community leaders together in July of 1955 to organize the Brownsville United Fund. Ruben Edelstein was elected Chairman of the Board and twelve founding trustees were appointed.

On August 1, 1955 the Texas Secretary of State approved the Charter for the United Fund of Brownsville. In that first year, Ruben Edelstein chaired a campaign raising $39,000 which was allocated among ten local social service organizations.

United Fund of Brownsville became United Way of Southern Cameron County in 1993, a name change which acknowledged the expansion of the organization's charitable activities into the Los Fresnos, Laguna Vista, Port Isabel and South Padre Island area.

The annual campaign has grown from $39,000 to $1.5 million over the years, and United Way of Southern Cameron County’s mission has changed from fundraising to being an agent of positive community change.