Who we are

Honoring Cooper. Creating Opportunities. Playing Like Coop.

On December 2, 2024, our family lost our beloved son, brother, and friend, Cooper Reese Lyles, far too soon. He was just 18 years old.

Cooper was a quiet young man who grew into an incredible athlete, a loyal friend, and a natural leader both on and off the field. He was selfless, kind, and the person his friends knew they could always count on. One of his friends said it best: “If I had one phone call to make, it would be to Cooper, because I know I could count on him.”

Cooper was a three-year starting defenseman and captain for the St. Augustine High School lacrosse team, helping lead his team to its first district championship in five years. He was also honored with the Victory with Honor Award, one of only two awards presented by the lacrosse coaching staff, recognizing his work ethic, leadership, character, and dedication to his teammates.

Away from the field, Coop loved spending time with his friends and family, playing pickleball, fishing, and golfing. He planned to attend the University of North Florida to study Criminal Justice, with the goal of becoming a Florida Wildlife Officer.

When we lost Cooper, our family struggled to make sense of something that never should have happened. But we knew one thing: we wanted Cooper's life to continue to make a difference.

That is why we created The Cooper Lyles Foundation.

Our mission is to honor Cooper's memory by empowering student athletes and underprivileged youth in St. Johns County with opportunities to pursue their educational and athletic goals. We believe in supporting young people who demonstrate the same qualities Cooper lived every day — character, integrity, hard work, commitment, and a willingness to help others.

Through scholarships, community partnerships, charitable giving, and our annual “Play Like Coop” Golf Tournament, we are working to turn our loss into a lasting legacy of opportunity.

Since our founding, we have awarded more than $26,000 in scholarships to deserving St. Johns County student athletes. We have also provided support to organizations making a difference in our community, including A Port in the Storm, Who We Play For, and West Augustine Youth Development, helping provide resources and opportunities for local youth.

Our work is made possible by the generosity of our sponsors, donors, volunteers, friends, family, and community partners who believe in what Cooper stood for.

We may not be able to give Cooper the future he deserved, but together, we can help create brighter futures for other young people.

That is what it means to “PLAY LIKE COOP”.

Work hard. Lead with character. Help others. Make a difference.

Thank you for helping us keep Cooper's spirit alive and for being part of his legacy.

The Lyles Family
The Cooper Lyles Foundation

Transparency & Disclosures

The Cooper Lyles Foundation

The Cooper Lyles Foundation is committed to transparency, ethical governance, and responsible stewardship of charitable resources. The following information is provided to ensure clarity for donors, partners, and the community we serve.

  • Legal Name: The Cooper Lyles Foundation
    Tax Status: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
    EIN: 33-4739285
    State of Incorporation: Florida

    Mission Statement:
    The Cooper Lyles Foundation exists to honor Cooper’s legacy by expanding access to youth sports, education, and character-building opportunities. Through scholarships, programming, and community partnerships, we strive to ensure that every child has the opportunity to play, grow, and succeed — on and off the field.

  • The Foundation is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors responsible for strategic oversight, financial stewardship, and mission alignment.

    Jason Lyles - President & Founding Member

    Aundrea Lyles - Vice President & Founding Member

    Andrea Lyles - Secretary, Treasurer & Founding Member

    Amy Law - Director

    Tammy Morabito - Director

    Molli Ray - Director

    Patrick Goodall - Director

  • The Cooper Lyles Foundation awards scholarships to support students who demonstrate strong character, commitment, and alignment with the Foundation’s values.

    General scholarship considerations include:

    • Character and integrity

    • Academic effort and perseverance

    • Athletic commitment and teamwork

    • Alignment with the Foundation’s “Play Like Coop” philosophy

    Scholarship recipients are selected through a fair and objective review process. Awards are made without discrimination and in accordance with applicable nonprofit and IRS guidelines. Scholarship funds are used solely for approved educational expenses.

  • The Cooper Lyles Foundation maintains a Conflict of Interest Policy to protect the integrity of its decision-making processes. All board members, officers, and committee participants are required to disclose any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest and to recuse themselves from related discussions or decisions when appropriate.

    This policy ensures that all decisions are made in the best interests of the Foundation and the communities it serves.

  • The Cooper Lyles Foundation is committed to responsible financial stewardship. A significant portion of funds raised directly supports youth programs, scholarships, and mission-aligned initiatives.

    The Foundation’s financial records are maintained in accordance with nonprofit best practices and are reviewed regularly by the Board of Directors.

  • The Cooper Lyles Foundation

    “Play Like Coop”

    Address: 567 Convex Ln., St Augustine, FL 32095
    Phone: (352) 466-4065 | Email: cooperlylesfoundation@gmail.com
    Website: www.thecooperlylesfoundation.org

    Our Commitment to Responsible Fund Allocation

    At The Cooper Lyles Foundation, we believe every dollar raised should make a lasting difference for youth in our community. Our mission is to honor Cooper’s legacy by supporting young athletes through scholarships, equipment donations, and access to positive sports experiences.

    Transparency You Can Trust

    We are committed to being good stewards of the funds entrusted to us. Each year, our Board of Directors reviews how funds are distributed to ensure we are maximizing impact while maintaining a healthy, sustainable organization.

    How Your Donations Are Used:

    Scholarships & Youth Programs

    65–75% — Direct support for youth scholarships, lacrosse equipment, and community programs.

    Operations & Administration

    15–25% — Ensures compliance, event management, and organizational stability.

    Reserves for Future Programs

    10–15% — Builds sustainability for next year’s scholarships and emergency needs.


    We’re proud to keep the majority of every dollar raised focused directly on mission impact — helping young people ‘Play Like Coop.’


    Thank you for believing in our mission and supporting the next generation of athletes.

  • The Cooper Lyles Foundation’s most recent IRS Form 990 is available for public review upon request and through recognized nonprofit reporting platforms such as GuideStar (Candid).

  • The Cooper Lyles Foundation does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected status in any of its programs, activities, or scholarship decisions.

  • Contributions to The Cooper Lyles Foundation are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

  • The Cooper Lyles Foundation
    📍 567 Convex Ln., St Augustine, FL 32095
    📧 cooperlylesfoundation@gmail.com
    🌐 www.thecooperlylesfoundation.org

  • Website Content & Compliance

    For The Cooper Lyles Foundation
    "Play Like Coop"

    Address: 567 Convex Ln., St Augustine, FL 32095
    Phone: (904) 466-4066 | Email: cooperlylesfoundation@gmail.com
    Website: www.thecooperlylesfoundation.org
    EIN: 33-4739285

    1. About Us

    The Cooper Lyles Foundation was established to honor the legacy of Cooper Lyles through programs that promote teamwork, leadership, and opportunity for young athletes. Our mission is to help youth ‘Play Like Coop’ by removing barriers to participation and supporting character-driven sports experiences.

    2. Leadership

    Include brief bios of your board members and officers here, highlighting their community involvement and commitment.

    3. Programs & Impact

    Detail your scholarship program, community outreach, and fundraising events (like the Play Like Coop Golf Tournament). Use photos, testimonials, or short stories to demonstrate impact.

    4. Financial Transparency

    We are committed to transparency and accountability. Below are links to our annual financial reports and IRS filings:
    - Annual Report (PDF)
    - IRS Form 990 (PDF)
    - Florida Annual Charitable Organization Registration

    5. Florida Solicitation Disclosure (Required)

    A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE FLORIDA DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) OR VISITING WWW.FLORIDACONSUMERHELP.COM. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
    Florida Registration #:

    6. Policies & Governance

    We follow strong governance practices to ensure all decisions align with our mission and donor intent. Key policies include:
    - Conflict of Interest Policy
    - Donor Privacy Policy
    - Bylaws and Board Governance

    7. Donor Privacy Statement

    We respect the privacy of our donors and will never sell, share, or trade donor information. Information collected online or offline is used only for the purpose of fulfilling donations, acknowledging gifts, and sharing impact updates.

    8. Contact Us:

    The Cooper Lyles Foundation
    567 Convex Ln.
    St. Augustine, FL 32095
    Phone: (904) 466-4066
    Email: cooperlylesfoundation@gmail.com
    Website: www.thecooperlylesfoundation.org

    9. Legal & Copyright Notice

    © The Cooper Lyles Foundation. All rights reserved.
    The Cooper Lyles Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 33-4739285). Contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

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