Southend Community Fund Hits a Milestone!

27th October 2025

The Southend Community Fund (SCF), one of Essex Community Foundation’s (ECF) longest-standing charitable funds, has reached an exciting milestone. In September, the SCF panel awarded £536,386 in grants, meaning the Fund has now given out more than its endowment of £522,842 since it began. This achievement highlights the Fund’s lasting commitment to supporting Southend’s communities. 

Founded in 2001 by then-Mayor Howard Briggs, the Fund was set up to provide ongoing support for voluntary and community groups across the borough. Howard, with lifelong friend Peter Croysdill and a small team of local volunteers, kickstarted the Fund and helped it grow through donations, events, and community engagement. Since then, ECF has proudly managed SCF, ensuring vital funding reaches the groups that need it most. 

Examples of grants awarded this year: 

• Southend Christian Fellowship: awarded £4,131 to run a Community Café in the Kursaal Ward. 

• Little Heroes ASD Support Group: awarded £3,500 to support families with children on the autism spectrum. 

• Big Purple Pants: awarded £2,000 to deliver peer support groups for individuals living with secondary breast cancer. 

• Just Ride Southend: awarded £4,000 to buy a specialist electric wheelchair bike, making cycling accessible for all. 

We congratulate SCF on the remarkable difference it continues to make across the borough. Reaching the milestone of awarding more than its endowment demonstrates the power of long-term giving, and we look forward to continuing to work with SCF to empower communities, spark new ideas, and transform lives across Southend for many years to come. 

How to Support the Fund 

If you live in Southend-on-Sea and want to support your local charities, you can make a one-off donation to the Southend Community Fund or you can give regularly.  

Donations can be made to the Southend Community Fund by contacting ECF on 01245 355947.

You can also choose to leave a legacy with your own specific wishes. If interested, please contact us.