Lay – Sue Kay Lay Memorial Scholarship Grant

The Lay – Sue Kay Lay Memorial Scholarship, established in memory of a young student tragically lost in an accident, supports graduating seniors from the Coastal Bend's seven-county service area. This scholarship aims to empower students who are permanent residents and enrolled full-time in accredited U.S. colleges, fostering academic excellence with a minimum GPA requirement. The Coastal Bend Community Foundation, dedicated to enhancing community well-being, administers this scholarship to honor the legacy of Sue Kay Lay.

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.
Efficient gift options to meet donors’ charitable wishesEffective grants to charitable organizations and scholarships to studentsEthical leadership to promote and enhance area philanthropy
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.

Eligibility

Be a graduating senior from any high school in the CBCF seven-county service areaBe a permanent resident of the CBCF seven-county service areaBe enrolled full-time at any accredited college or university in the United StatesMaintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale to receive subsequent 3 years