Coastal Educational Foundation, was formed in 1954 by a group of citizens interested in establishing an institution of higher education in the Waccamaw region of South Carolina. The group founded the institution that is now known as Coastal Carolina University.

The Foundation's stated mission is to seek and provide resources for the betterment of the University. Since its inception, the Foundation has been extremely active in its fundraising efforts for Coastal and has conducted several successful campaigns.

The Foundation's board of directors primarily comprises business and community leaders from the University's designated service area.

The Foundation is organized as a nonprofit corporation under the South Carolina Nonprofit Corporation Act and as a tax exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended.