BayPort Foundation

Our mission is to enrich our members’ and communities’ lives by providing financial support to promote wellness and education.

Why the Foundation?

The BayPort Foundation is dedicated to the credit union philosophy of “people helping people.” As the philanthropic arm of BayPort Credit Union, the Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charity that focuses on wellness and education.

The Foundation offers grants and contributions to 501(c)(3) nonprofits and individuals. Our mission focuses on four philanthropic efforts: educational scholarships, financial literacy education, promoting family health and wellness, and hardship and emergency assistance.

fund financial wellness

View Foundation archives

That’s a hole-in-one! Over $550,000 raised in four years.

47 businesses and individuals sponsored the fourth annual Charity Golf Classic, including the 96 golfers who played in our annual Charity Golf Classic held in May at the James River Country Club.

More about the golf tournament

$500,000 Accelerating Change Together Grant transforming our communities.

To address gaps in services for Hampton Roads communities, four leading corporations—HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding, Ferguson, Virginia Natural Gas and BayPort Credit Union—have partnered to fund a three-year $500,000 transformation grant focusing on education and workforce development.

More about the ACT grant

Meet our Board of Directors.

Foundation Board members are elected, and all positions are unpaid volunteer positions.

Jim Mears

President & Chairman

Ray Bagley

Vice President & Vice Chairman

Jennifer Coyne

Secretary/Treasurer

Mary Cullen

Director

Ira Williams

Director

Nancy Porter

Executive Director

Invested in your continued education.

Everyone deserves to be happy, healthy, and financially wise.

High school seniors Senior scholarships

College students College scholarships

Working adults Adult scholarships

$100,000 in college scholarships.

The Foundation offers 12 different scholarships to 36 high school seniors, college students, and full-time working adults going back to school.

SUBMISSIONS FOR THE 2025/2026 ACADEMIC YEAR ARE CLOSED.

High school seniors

Beard/Bennett Memorial Scholarship

Awarded annually to 6 high school seniors. Winners receive a $8,000 scholarship ($2,000 each year for four years to an accredited college or university).

High school seniors

George R. Dudley, Jr. Scholarship

Awarded annually to one BayPort Credit Union employee high school senior dependent. Winner receives a $8,000 scholarship ($2,000 each year for four years to an accredited college or university).

High school seniors

SRCU Member Scholarship

$2,000 one-time scholarship awarded to 6 high school seniors currently attending one of BayPort’s partner high schools. The funds can be applied to an accredited college or university, trade, or vocational school.

College students

Directors Scholarship

$2,000 one-time scholarship awarded annually to 7 full-time undergraduate or graduate members currently enrolled in an accredited college or university, trade, or vocational school.

College students

Burton P. Hill Scholarship

$2,000 one-time scholarship awarded annually to one BayPort Credit Union employee dependent and full-time undergraduate or graduate currently enrolled in an accredited college or university, trade, or vocational school.

College students

Donald I. Steppe Memorial Scholarship

$2,000 one-time scholarship awarded annually to a Virginia Peninsula Community College graduate pursuing a baccalaureate degree at a four-year college or university.

College students

McGee Family Scholarship

$2,000 one-time scholarship awarded annually to a student attending the Virginia Peninsula Community College Early Childhood Development program.

College students

Rowe Family Scholarship

$2,000 one-time scholarship awarded annually to a college student, rising junior or senior pursuing a baccalaureate degree at a four-year college or university, majoring in computer/information science or electrical engineering, or a student pursuing a Master of Divinity degree.

College students

Julie Heldreth Memorial Scholarship

$2,000 one-time scholarship that will be awarded annually to two students entering a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics program at Virginia Peninsula Community College.

Working adults

Wiatt Memorial Apprentice
School Scholarship

$2,000 one-time scholarship awarded annually to 2 Apprentice School apprentices or graduates from Newport News Shipbuilding who wish to pursue full or part-time study at an institution of higher education toward completing an associate, baccalaureate, or graduate degree.

Working adults

Tuition Booster Scholarship

$1,000 one-time scholarship awarded annually to 6 full-time working professionals currently enrolled full or part-time in an accredited college or university, trade, or vocational school.

Working adults

Wright Family Scholarship

$2,000 one-time scholarship that will be awarded annually to two graduates from the Apprentice School at Newport News Shipbuilding who wish to pursue full or part-time study at an institution of higher education.

Applications are evaluated on the following criteria: GPA, academic achievements, financial need, school and community involvement, and a written essay. Applicants must be pursuing a degree or certification at an accredited college, university, or technical school.

Thank you to our inaugural benefactors.

We sincerely appreciate the individual and longtime business partners who generously support the BayPort Foundation as inaugural benefactors to support our mission. Every penny received goes to support programs. In addition, BayPort Credit Union pays all the overhead to ensure that 100% of the contributions support the Foundation’s mission.

benefactor logos

Leave a lasting legacy.

The Foundation Legacy Giving Program honors those who share our commitment and philanthropic efforts. Consider including the Foundation and the vital work we do in your financial plans:

Include a bequest in your estate planning document.
Designate the BayPort Foundation as a full, partial, or contingent beneficiary of your retirement account.
Name the BayPort Foundation as a beneficiary of your life insurance policy.
Utilize an IRA Tax-Free Charitable Rollover. (Contact your tax advisor to explore directing your IRA’s mandated distribution to the BayPort Foundation.)

Donate to the BayPort Foundation.

There are many ways to contribute! We’re accepting donations below for the Legacy Giving Program that honors those who share our mission and philanthropic efforts. Contact us to learn more about tax-deductible donations and corporate sponsorships.

Donate now

The BayPort Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and donations are tax-deductible. A copy of the current financial statement is available upon written request from the Virginia Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs. EIN# 85-3902631

Why the Foundation?

That’s a hole-in-one! Over $550,000 raised in four years.

$500,000 Accelerating Change Together Grant transforming our communities.

Meet our Board of Directors.

Invested in your continued education.