Our donors are community heroes
21st May 2025
Essex people have been hailed as heroes for their generosity, which has resulted in almost £60 million worth of grants for good causes across the county.
Our achievement is a milestone, proving that families, individuals and businesses want to give locally to support charities and voluntary groups close to their hearts and homes.
A total of 200 charitable funds have been set up through us since we launched in 1996 as one of the first organisations of its kind in the UK.
Nick Alston, our chairman, said: “Our donors really are heroes, as without them, we would not have been able to give this money in grants to support the vital work of charities and voluntary groups that are the bedrock of our communities.
“Next year will be our 30th anniversary and it is remarkable what has been achieved over the past three decades. We are so grateful to the generous people of Essex who have helped us give over 10,000 grants, totalling nearly £60 million.”
Having in-depth knowledge of organisations working at the grassroots of the community means that we can highlight the best ways for people to achieve their charitable aims to make a tangible and lasting impact.
Those who set up funds are given the chance to see at first hand the difference their generosity is making. Families, businesses and individuals have all set up charitable funds through us, which also administers funds for public agencies and other foundations. Several trust transfers and legacies are also in our safe hands, we can carry on the good work people have established in the past, and ensure that the original intentions remain valid in a changing world.
Our team also work with a growing number of professional advisers in Essex who are well placed to advise their clients about the tax incentives associated with making gifts to charity and as part of estate planning. This is helping us to raise awareness of how we can help people to achieve their charitable aims in their lifetime as well as part of a legacy.
There are many examples of the various ways people can link with us and support their local community.
The Clark Family Fund was set up by Charles and Sue Clark in 2009.
Charles and Sue, who live near Maldon, are delighted that their family fund helps to support a wide range of community and voluntary groups in Essex, especially those helping children and young people.
Charles was a founding trustee and later chairman of the Foundation and is now a now a much-valued vice-president. During his long career in the Essex police force Charles faced several life-or-death situations and gained plenty of accolades, including an OBE and Queen’s Police Medal.
The events were defining moments for Charles, who rose through the ranks to become the county’s Deputy Chief Constable, combining his career with voluntary work in the community. As his career progressed Charles became more and more aware of issues involving young people and for 10 years he led the work for youth justice for the police service nationally.
He said, “I came across kids who were as bright as a button but who had little chance in life because of their circumstances, and I knew that most could achieve more with the right help and support”.
“So many experiences during my police service have left an indelible impression on me. My involvement with the voluntary sector, particularly with Essex Community Foundation, has also been one of the most profound experiences of my life.”
One of Charles’ greatest achievements was his idea in 2014 for Essex Police to work with us and set up the Proceeds of Crime Matched Funding Scheme. The initiative means that we can match donations from people, who want to support community safety initiatives, with money from seized criminal assets and the sale of stolen property recovered by the police. Over the past decade, we have set up funds currently valued at £1.5 million. As the funds are invested for the long-term, and continue to grow with new donations, we can give away an increasing amount each year to a wide range of voluntary organisations and charities in Essex.
Caption: Charles collecting his OBE with his wife Sue and their two daughters.
The Montpellier Fund was set up in 2024 Jill and Andy Vicary, who currently live in Roxwell.
The couple have also lived and worked in other areas of Essex as well as abroad, in Greece, Sudan, Belgium, Algeria, Germany. Their love of travel and diverse cultural experiences inspired them to buy a house in France near Montpellier, which led to the name of their fund.
Witnessing extreme poverty in Africa and hardship in Europe motivated them to help those less fortunate. Through fundraising and the Chelmsford Round Table they have actively supported many charities. They were introduced to the Foundation by friends a few years ago and decided to become more involved and support smaller local charities, where a relatively modest donation can really make a difference. They recently supported their first charity, Essex Youth Build, based in Chelmsford, helping them to deliver training courses that will enhance the employability and life chances of vulnerable young people.
Jill and Andy said: “We are excited to start this journey and learn more about how we can not only help now but also encourage our families to continue this support when we are not quite so hands on.”
The Ron and Elise Odden Legacy Fund was established in 2024, when the Foundation became a solution to a dilemma.
Ron and Elsie met through a friendship group in the East End of London and were married in 1955.
The couple did not have any children and after they died their estate was to be split, with half going to Ron’s godson, John and half to a specified charity. But by the time Elsie died, the charity was no longer in existence and the will failed. This meant that the entire estate went to John.
John felt uncomfortable about receiving the whole estate, when the intention of his godparents was to give a gift to charity. But he had no idea which charity to give the money to. Over supper with his neighbour, Ann Coutts, a private client solicitor with Thompson Smith & Puxon Solicitors in Colchester, he shared his dilemma. Ann already knew of us and suggested this route could be a suitable option. Following advice from the Charity Commission, John worked with us to establish a fund in Ron and Elsie’s memory.
The George Courtauld Educational Charity is among several pre-existing charitable trusts transferred to and now managed by us, which is well-placed to ensure that future grant making is true to the spirit of a trust’s original objectives.
The George Courtauld Educational Charity continues to support young people under the age of 21 who live, or whose 
parents live, in the Braintree District.
George Courtauld was born in Pebmarsh in 1830. After being educated at University College London, he became a partner in the firm of Samuel Courtauld & Co, a textile manufacturing company that had been established by his grandfather in 1798.
George was very much a member of the local community, holding appointments such as Justice of the Peace and High Sheriff of Essex in 1896. In December 1878, he was elected as the Liberal MP for Maldon, a position that he held until 1885. He was married three times and had 13 children. He died in 1920.
As well as George’s trust fund, we manage four other trusts set up by the Courtauld family; The Marion Ruth Courtauld Educational Fund, William Julien Courtauld Medical Fund and the Cecily Courtauld Scholarship Fund. All the fund transfers were instigated by George’s great grandson, also called George.
He said: “I am delighted that my ancestor’s trusts are in the safe hands of ECF, so that their legacies can continue to benefit people in Braintree.”
The Saffron Community Fund is a great example of the good a company can do by channelling their charitable giving through the Foundation.
Saffron Building Society has a long history going back over 150 years with branches in Essex, Hertfordshire and Suffolk. Th
e company has always supported local charities and initiatives and in 2011 started working with us.
Colin Field, CEO at Saffron, explains, “We’re proud to be part of the communities surrounding our branches. So many people rely on the care provided by charities and community groups, and we know a little can go a long way. Establishing an invested fund with ECF means that we can give now and in the future.
“Since launching our fund we’ve worked with our members, residents and partners to identify where we can make a real difference. It’s a real privilege to be able to support our local communities and to see the impact this makes first-hand.”
The Society regularly makes donations to its invested fund and also organises fundraising activities to boost the amount they have to give away.
Claire Hunnable, Community Business Partner said: “Working with ECF means that we are being introduced to some of the smaller, grassroots charities that do so much in local communities, but often don’t have the profile or the resources to be able to attract the funding they need.
“ECF does all the due diligence and makes recommendations for us to consider and our panel, made up of employees and members, makes the final selection.”
Photo Caption: Members of the Saffron team visit Mencap to see how their support is making a difference
If you want to support your local community, either in your lifetime or as part of a legacy, contact Perry Norton on 01245 355947 or email perry@essexcf.org.uk