About the DeCoste Memorial Foundation
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit built on the belief that no military family should be overlooked — no matter when the sacrifice came.
Why we exist
The DeCoste Memorial Foundation was established on June 13, 2016, in honor of Senior Chief Scott DeCoste — a man who gave 23 years of his life to the United States Navy and even more to the people around him. A 1984 graduate of Woonsocket High School, Scott loved his family, his country, and the New England Patriots with equal devotion. His favorite saying, "Go Big or Go Home," wasn't just a motto — it was the way he lived.
In 2015, Scott lost an 8-week battle with a service-connected cancer. His wife, Lisa DeCoste, channeled her grief into action — founding an organization built on the values Scott embodied: love, service, and the belief in paying it forward. Scott never expected anything in return for helping others. Today, that same spirit lives on through every scholarship, grant, and act of kindness the foundation makes possible.
What began as a single $500 scholarship to a graduating senior at Woonsocket High School has grown into a foundation serving military, veteran, Gold Star, and service-connected families throughout Rhode Island, Southeastern Massachusetts, and Virginia — while continuing to invest in the Woonsocket community Scott proudly called home. To date, we have awarded more than $86,000 in scholarships, with our impact growing every year.
Our core values
Service First
We exist to serve those who have served. Every program, every dollar, and every decision is made with military families in mind.
No One Left Behind
Scott's philosophy was simple: if someone needs help, you help them. We apply that standard to every family we work with.
Go Big or Go Home
Scott believed that if you were going to do something, you did it with everything you had. We bring that same commitment to our work.
Community Driven
We are powered by volunteers, donors, and partners who believe in the mission. The community is the foundation.
Volunteer-led, community-powered
The DeCoste Memorial Foundation is run entirely by volunteers who believe in the mission. We have no paid staff — every dollar donated goes directly to programs and families.
Our legal identity
The DeCoste Memorial Foundation is the public-facing name of Scott DeCoste Memorial Scholarship Inc., a federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
We operate as a DBA (doing business as) under that legal name. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
EIN: 81-2892439 · Established 2016 · Incorporated in Virginia