30 years on – and still so much more to do!

Community Spirit: Essex Community Foundation

Now, as it enters its 30^th year, the foundation is reflecting on its achievements – and it has much to celebrate.

This year, ECF reached a milestone in its grant giving, having awarded £60 million worth of funding to good causes. It has also grown an invested fund of £55 million to give long-term support to our communities.

Meanwhile, in the spring, it launched a new and ambitious six-year strategy that includes raising a further £30 million in donations, so it can give even more grants away each year. This is in addition to a new strand of work, extending its influence in support of the voluntary sector.

The chairman’s reflections

Nick Alston CBE DL, who has chaired ECF for the past seven years, said: “It’s remarkable to think that it was 30 years ago that our visionary founders, Ian and Angela Marks, began rallying people to help bring to life what was, at the time, an ambitious new idea – the creation of Essex Community Foundation.

“Ian’s ever-encouraging mantra was: ‘There is still more to do’, which has inspired us to forge ahead and create a lasting legacy.

“We have been able to build up an investment of £55 million, so that we can continue to give support to those who need it. This has involved some very grown up, serious and deeply responsible work, but all the time it comes round to why we are doing this, why we are seeking more funds – to help communities across the county, because the need is still so great.

“I am proud of the fact that ECF now manages more than 200 funds and has so far given grants totalling £60 million to voluntary and community groups in Essex.

“Our first five-year strategy was all about growth, building financial reserves so that we could give long-term support to local charities and community groups. The Covid-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis were completely unexpected, but we still saw growth, with new fundholders who believed in us and ECF’s mission of matching generosity with people in need.

“If the last period has been about building momentum, the next will be about bold expansion. Our 30th anniversary won’t be retrospective, it is a key milestone and our theme is simple – ‘30 Years of Generosity’.

“ECF’s 2030 strategy is, rightly, ambitious and reflects a new strand of work – to be a strong, bold voice for the voluntary sector, which absolutely needs a seat at the table to help decide policies which affect the community. We are determined to use our influence to promote the vital role of civil society. This does not detract from our core purpose, which remains unchanged – inspiring philanthropic giving and supporting grassroots charities.

“We’ll continue doing what we do best, connecting people who want to give, with communities who have ideas, passion and urgent needs. That is what philanthropy is all about – people coming together to shape the future they want to see.”

A new covenant

Essex Community Foundation’s important role in civil society and its capacity to represent the voluntary sector has been widely recognised.

The foundation’s CEO, Caroline Taylor, was among 200 civil society leaders invited to a recent event hosted by the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, to launch the Government’s new Civil Society Covenant.

Caroline said: “The aim of the covenant is to reset the relationship between public bodies and civil society. That involves charities, volunteers, faith groups, co-operatives, trade unions, social enterprises and philanthropists.

“This is, undoubtedly, good news, because for far too long, charities have been overlooked by government at all levels, and the covenant sets out to change this.

“As we developed our new strategy for 2030, we asked our charity and grant partners what they needed from us. One message came through clearly – use your voice and speak out on our behalf, because too many fear that doing so themselves could lead to being cut off. Sadly, that fear is not unfounded.

“Turning the covenant into something meaningful will require more than good intentions and more than a coalition of the willing. It will need leadership from us all, at every level.

“We are determined to play a role in bringing the covenant to life locally, working with our public and charity sector colleagues to build trust and shift mindsets, behaviours and expectations.”

Moving forward

As ECF looks to the future and sets about implementing its innovative strategy, it will have a new leader at its helm. In November, Nick will step down as Chair and hand over the chairmanship of the organisation to fellow trustee, Atul Manek.

Nick said: “Atul is a man of vision, integrity and deep social purpose. His generosity, through his own family fund and his leadership as an ECF trustee, has helped shape where we are today. I know he will guide the foundation with purpose and care, and make sure that we have everything in place to take ECF forward.”