A COMMUNITY foundation is celebrating a milestone in its history after giving away £20million to worthy causes across Essex.
Essex Community Foundation (ECF) has been distributing grants from charitable people in Essex to voluntary and community organisations for the past 17 years.
ECF is now the second largest community foundation in the country, managing an endowed fund of around £25million, with 93 named charitable funds supporting more than 5,000 groups.
A Chelmsford-based group which has benefited from the money is Families InFocus (Essex).
The charity provides holistic support to 800 different families each year who have children up to 19-years-old with disabilities and special needs.
They were one of the first groups to receive an ECF grant back in 1996.
Rachel Ellis, CEO of Families InFocus (Essex), said: "We need £250,000 a year to keep going, so the money which has come to us through ECF makes a huge difference.
"If we were not here to provide services to the families who need our support, they would be devastated. We understand the distressing emotions, frustrations and challenges that parents and carers face when bringing up their special child."
The idea of the foundation came after co-founder Ian Marks, whose family own the Trebor sweet making business, heard of similar schemes in America, and he is now ECF's president.
ECF, based in New London Road, Chelmsford, celebrated with a small ceremony and cake, and are determined to continue to support Essex communities.
Remembering the early days, Mr Marks, said: "When we launched in 1996 most people had never heard of a community foundation, but their response was positive and this encouraged us to have big ambitions.
"In that first year we distributed £69,150 to 24 local voluntary organisations.
"To have now distributed £20million pounds is such an achievement and is thanks to everyone who has supported or worked with the foundation over the past 17 years.
"I am so proud, but there is still so much more to do."
Bob Reitemeier, chief executive of ECF, added: "We are truly delighted to have reached the remarkable milestone of £20million given in grants.
"This achievement has been made possible by the outstanding generosity of the people of Essex and the hard work and dedication of ECF's staff, volunteers, trustees and supporters.
"Individuals, families and businesses have, through ECF, discovered the feel-good factor involved in giving"
