Essex Community Foundation
Essex Community Foundation is an independent charitable trust. Founded in 1996, it has built an endowed fund of nearly £50 million, and has awarded over £47 million in grants to community-based voluntary groups in Essex, Southend and Thurrock.By acting as a broker the Foundation helps donors achieve their charitable objectives, and local voluntary groups secure funding for their work.
Activities & Mission
Essex Community Foundation is an independent charitable trust. Founded in 1996, it has built an endowed fund of nearly £50 million, and has awarded over £47 million in grants to community-based voluntary groups in Essex, Southend and Thurrock.By acting as a broker the Foundation helps donors achieve their charitable objectives, and local voluntary groups secure funding for their work.
Grants
Essex Community Foundation is a grant-making charity: making grants is its main activity.
- Gives grants to
- organisations and individuals
- Grants paid (2025)
- £4,104,199
- Who it helps
- children and young people, elderly people, people with disabilities, people of a particular ethnic or racial origin, other charities or voluntary bodies and other defined groups
- What it supports
- general charitable purposes, education and training, the advancement of health or the saving of lives, disability, the prevention or relief of poverty, accommodation or housing, arts, culture, heritage, or science, amateur sport, the environment, conservation, or heritage, economic or community development and employment and other charitable purposes
As recorded with the Charity Commission. To ask about applying, use the contact details and check the trustees and latest accounts below.
Is this your charity?
Add your logo, photos and tell the story behind the numbers in your own words. Free for our first 50 launch partners.
Learn more about premium profiles See a sample profileAreas of Operation
Where this charity is registered to operate, as self-declared to the Charity Commission. These are regulatory classifications, not a list of active programmes, and don't necessarily indicate fundraising activity in each location.
Local Authority
Financial Information
Financial Efficiency
Latest Financial Breakdown
Income Sources
Expenditure Categories
Financial Trend
Annual Returns
As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2025.
| Financial Year | Income | Expenditure | Charitable Spending | Net Assets | Reserves | Staff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | £8,477,899 | £5,330,706 | £4,945,879 | £56,787,799 | £482,330 | 15 / 3 |
| 2024 | £4,875,495 | £4,647,609 | £4,288,879 | £53,624,177 | £482,330 | 16 / 3 |
| 2023 | £5,333,896 | £5,018,903 | £4,708,902 | £48,905,934 | £1,462,060 | 16 / 3 |
| 2022 | £5,375,133 | £5,357,802 | £5,075,536 | £47,495,029 | £482,330 | 15 / 3 |
| 2021 | £4,816,038 | £5,148,263 | £4,831,672 | £51,128,633 | £1,112,388 | 13 / 5 |
Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers
Frequently asked questions about Essex Community Foundation
What does Essex Community Foundation do?
Essex Community Foundation is an independent charitable trust. Founded in 1996, it has built an endowed fund of nearly £50 million, and has awarded over £47 million in grants to community-based voluntary groups in Essex, Southend and Thurrock.By acting as a broker the Foundation helps donors achieve their charitable objectives, and local voluntary groups secure funding for their work.
How much income did Essex Community Foundation report in 2025?
Essex Community Foundation reported total income of £8.48m and reported expenditure of £5.33m for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.
When was Essex Community Foundation registered as a charity?
Essex Community Foundation was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 16 January 1996 as charity number 1052061. It has been registered for 30 years.
Who runs Essex Community Foundation?
Essex Community Foundation is governed by a board of 12 trustees. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.
Where does Essex Community Foundation operate?
Essex Community Foundation operates in Essex, as recorded in its Charity Commission filing.
Is Essex Community Foundation a registered charity?
Yes — Essex Community Foundation is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 1052061.
Is this your charity?
Add your logo, photos and tell the story behind the numbers in your own words. Free for our first 50 launch partners.
Learn more about premium profiles See a sample profileDetails
Registry Information
Trustees
Also governs 1 other charity
Also governs 1 other charity
Data & trust
- Register data refreshed
- 9 November 2026
- Methodology
- How metrics are calculated