In 2003, eight visionary and passionate women created The Women’s Fund. Today, our volunteer board of 20 women is dedicated to creating positive social change for local families and communities.

Our Advisory Board has broad philanthropic, community, and professional experience, ensuring strong governance and oversight. Our mission and decisions are guided by written bylaws, a disciplined and transparent grant process, and periodic strategic reviews. We maintain a strong  reserve fund.

Through our rigorous grants allocation process we support a broad platform of carefully selected programs. They target solutions to complex and overlapping social issues impacting women, families and communities.

We are fortunate to have a broader community of women, families and businesses who, through fundraisers, annual appeals and volunteer projects, magnify the impact of our work. Read our most recent President's Letter to learn more about the ways we have been investing, improving, and impacting the lives of women and girls.

 

Founder's Circle

The strength of The Women’s Fund of Essex County reflects the vision of our founding members.  To remain engaged in our important work, Founders and past board members are part of our community as members of the Founders Circle.  Their goal is to evaluate and recommend a local nonprofit to The Women’s Fund Advisory Board for the annual Above and Beyond Award in honor of The Founders Circle. Starting in 2015, this unrestricted grant is awarded each year to a nonprofit whose vision and work is so exemplary that they go above and beyond to meet the needs of their clients.   

Past Recipients of the Above and Beyond Award in honor of The Founders Circle:

2024—Self Esteem Boston
2023—Citizens’ Inn
2022—Women's Money Matters
2021—Healing Abuse, Working for Change (HAWC)
2020—Family Services of the Merrimack Valley
2019—Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center
2018—Girls Inc. of Lynn
2017—B&G Club of Greater Lawrence
2016—YWCA of Greater Lawrence
2015—RAW ART Works, Lynn

Essex County Community Foundation

The Women's Fund is a field of interest fund of Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF). ECCF is our fiscal agent and provides our 501(c)(3) tax- exempt status. The Foundation also provides administrative support and oversees the effective management of the financial assets of The Women’s Fund. For more information, visit www.eccf.org.

The Women’s Funding Network

Women's Funding Network

The Women’s Fund of Essex County is a proud member of The Women’s Funding Network (WFN). The WFN was established in 1985 as a global movement to optimize the success of women’s organizations, giving its members access to a forum of shared knowledge, ideas, tools, consultancy, and training. Through the WFN, we are one of more than 160 other women’s organizations that span 30 countries, including public charities, foundations and funds.