The Mary Ellen Kent Bunyard Family Foundation was established in 2009.  Upon the death of longtime resident, Mary Ellen Kent Bunyard in 2008, she, in her will, set the Foundation in motion.  She left a considerable estate to create a Nonprofit Foundation, in her name, to aid other nonprofit organizations that specifically provide assistance to youth under 18 and to elderly over the age of 70 of Tom Green and adjoining counties.

From the beginning the Foundation has awarded hundreds of grants varying from $1,000 to $300,000. During this process, the Foundation has helped over 55 different nonprofit organizations bring a better life to residents of Tom Green, and the adjoining counties for those who are under 18 or over 70. The total financial support during the 14 years the Foundation has been actively providing grants is approximately $5,270,445.00.

Mrs. Bunyard’s Will also provided that her family ranch be given to the Foundation, with the stipulation that it must be used as a “working ranch” as long as long as possible.  Today, the ranch is leased to ranchers and hunters.  Mrs. Bunyard was born into a Tom Green County pioneer ranching family, L.W. and Nona May (Green) Kent on June 25, 1915.  Mary Ellen had only one sibling, a sister, who proceeded her in death.  Neither had children.  When Mrs. Bunyard died, she was the last living member of her family.  At her death on May 14, 2008, she also bequeathed to assist others who were not as fortunate as she.