The Essex Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation dedicated to making a difference in the lives of Essex citizens by providing medical, educational, social, welfare, cultural, recreational, and civic support. The Foundation’s role is to provide “seed money” for new services and to allocate funds to fill needs not met by other organizations or sources. In general, funds will be granted for special purposes, including buildings, equipment, land, and programs, but not to recurring expenses.

The foundation was founded in 1970 when an Essex citizen came to Attorney Judd Carr with a desire to leave an open-ended bequest that would benefit the town. Carr, the president of the Rotary Club at the time, agreed to set up a foundation to accept the funds. From the start, the Foundation Board wanted to make it possible for funds to be made available for special projects that did not fit into ordinary categories and that required fast local action. In 1982, many local citizens were devastated by heavy flooding which destroyed homes and left people without food, clothing, refrigeration, and heat. Because of the structure of the fund, the Foundation was able, on an ad hoc basis, to help many people get back on their feet quickly. Donations continue to come to the Foundation from individuals anxious to perpetuate a permanent philanthropic foundation with a specific focus on Essex.