For Immediate Release (June 1, 2026) Beverly, MA – The Women’s Fund of Essex County (TWF) is committing $390,000 over three-years to support 13 non-profit organizations working to improve the lives of women and girls throughout Essex County.

“This year our teams reviewed 73 applications – a 51% jump from last year,” said Kathi Vander Laan, Grants Allocation Committee Chair. “The increase was striking and underscores our belief that while charitable giving to local women and girls is on the decline, our efforts are more essential than ever.”

Becci Backman, Grants Allocation Committee Vice Chair added, “Our teams relied on TWF’s proven Grants Allocation Process to carefully evaluate each application, decide on site visits, and rank the non-profits recommended for funding.”

To qualify, programs must serve Essex County women and girls and align with TWF’s key focus areas: Health & Well Being, Economic Empowerment, Equity & Social Justice, Leadership Development, and Academic Achievement. Many of our selected non-profit organizations reach multiple areas of focus.

After four months of review and deliberation, the 13 organizations chosen for funding are as follows:

2026 Grant Recipients

Amirah Inc. – All of Essex County “Expansion of Amirah Client Service Program”

Backyard Growers – Gloucester “Women Rooted in Community: Expanding Access to Engaging & Thriving Gardens”

Bellesini Academy – Lawrence “Expansion of Girls’ 11th Month July Summer Program”

Catie’s Closet Inc. – Lawrence “Expansion of Catie’s Closet Program Gateway to Confidence Lawrence”

Ellie Fund Inc – All of Essex County “Expansion of Equitable Pathways to Breast Cancer Care”

Essex County Community Organization – All of Essex County “ECCO Immigrant Women’s Care & Support Network”

Gloucester Education Foundation – Gloucester “Gender Equity in STEM Club at Gloucester High School”

Healing Abuse Working for Change (HAWC) – All of Essex County “HAWC Survivor Financial Stability Coaching Pilot”

Link House, Inc. – Salisbury “WISH Salisbury”

Love Your Magic, Inc. – Lawrence, Lynn “Love Your Magic’s Be Well Retreats in Lynn and Lawrence”

North Shore Community Development Coalition Inc. – Beverly, Lynn, Peabody, Salem, Saugus “Young Women’s Empowerment Group”

Notre Dame Education Center at Lawrence – Greater Lawrence (Andover, Lawrence, Methuen, North Andover), Haverhill, Lawrence, Methuen “Nursing Assistant and Home Health Aide Training Programs”

Youth Development Organization – Lawrence “YDO’s Make HERS Programming”

“Since 2003, I’m proud to share that our all-volunteer organization has raised and granted over $5 million to high-impact organizations in every city and town across Essex County, all with one goal: improving the lives of women and girls in our communities,” said Trish Moore, President of The Women’s Fund of Essex County. “Over the years we have worked hard to expand our reach and impact: 328 annual grants to non-profit partner programs, 11 Above & Beyond awards recognizing exceptional non-profit partners, 9 years of emergency funding to NSCC single-mother students, 8 responsive food security grants during the recent SNAP benefits crisis, and the launch of the Resilient Girls Project supporting five non-profits focused on the mental health and well-being of adolescent girls.”

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About The Women’s Fund of Essex County

Since 2003, The Women’s Fund has raised and awarded more than $5 million to high-impact non-profit partners who provide local women, girls and their families with the resources they need to find success in work, home and life. TWF has been recognized with the George Peabody Award for Community Impact by North Shore Community College, and the Constance Grasso Award from the YWCA of Greater Newburyport. The Women’s Fund of Essex County is an all-volunteer organization supported entirely by generous donors whose philanthropy supports an extensive portfolio of programs impacting local women and girls. To learn more visit The Women's Fund of Essex County, Massachusetts | Investing. Impacting. Improving the lives of women and girls

TWF Press Contact

Elizabeth Darragh | Elizabeth.darragh@verizon.net | 617-510-4205