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.
Areas 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
Higher than 14% of UK Charitable activities charities with income £1M to £10M (sample: 1335). How is this calculated?
Higher than 34% of UK Charitable activities charities with income £1M to £10M. How is this calculated?
Lower overhead than 28% of UK Charitable activities charities with income £1M to £10M. (Lower overhead is generally read as more efficient.) How is this calculated?
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.
How efficient is Essex Community Foundation?
Essex Community Foundation has a program ratio of 58.3%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 14% of UK Charitable activities charities with income £1M to £10M (sample of 1335 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.
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 13 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.
Details
3 Hoffmanns Way
CHELMSFORD
CM1 1GU
Registry Information
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Trustees
Also governs 1 other charity
Also governs 1 other charity
Sectors & Classifications
Data & trust
- Register data refreshed
- 14 May 2026
- Methodology
- How metrics are calculated