mission
Essex County Community Foundation inspires philanthropy that strengthens the communities of Essex County by managing charitable assets, strengthening and supporting nonprofits and engaging in strategic community leadership initiatives.
impact by the numbers

granted from ECCF funds in support of important causes

grants awarded to nonprofits and students in Essex County and beyond

donors partner with ECCF to elevate their giving

invested in systems-based community leadership initiatives

individuals directly supported by systems-change efforts

organizations collaborating to address root causes of our most challenging issues
our systems approach
To address our region’s most complex social issues, ECCF employs a new kind of philanthropy, systems philanthropy.

stories of giving
Learn how a business that had once been passed down from father to son became the foundation for charitable giving that would also be passed down from one generation to the next.
stories of giving
When it comes to philanthropy, some people donate their time. Others champion their favorite causes with financial support. Then there are people like Anita Worden who jump in with both feet – because she can, and she believes she should.
stories of giving
Hearing about the devastation left behind by Hurricane Harvey, Michelle and Ben Langille’s two children got an idea. They would pick and sell the apples to raise money to help the thousands of people suffering in the aftermath.
stories of giving
Bill and Mary Wasserman feel passionate that strong arts and culture are critical to enhancing and sustaining a vibrant lifestyle and economic opportunity in Essex County, today and for the future.
stories of giving
The Pelican Intervention Fund, founded by Newburyport residents Kim and Steven Keene and Elizabeth McCarthy, is a grassroots organization created to help men and women struggling with addiction – most notably heroin addiction.
stories of giving
Linda and Jurg Siegenthaler have had a longtime passion for the city of Lawrence. “When I left the city, it was struggling,” said Linda, who grew up in the Tower Hill neighborhood. “Now there’s a lot of effort to bring it back and I want to be a part of that.”






get involved
Join us in working to address our biggest challenges and improve the quality of life in Essex County.
the latest eccf news
ECCF’s State of Essex County event draws more than 400 people
New data, Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll keynote and stories of collaboration all highlights of the night By Michelle Xiarhos Curran ECCF Communications Writer In Essex County, cross-sector collaboration is helping residents secure living-wage advanced manufacturing jobs...
Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll will headline ECCF’s ‘State of Essex County’ Event
With strong ties to ECCF’s work, former Salem mayor returns to region to elevate community and collaboration Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, former mayor of Salem, will serve as keynote speaker for Essex County Community Foundation’s State of Essex County event,...
Spring Funders Summit focuses on the changing philanthropic landscape
Center for Effective Philanthropy VP Grace Nicolette highlights positive post-COVID changes By Michelle Xiarhos Curran ECCF COMMUNICATIONS WRITER Recent research by the Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP) reveals that foundations are working differently than they...
To learn more about ECCF, please call (978) 777-8876