Dee & King Webster Fund Grant

The Dee & King Webster Fund for Greater Lawrence is administered by the Essex County Community Foundation, a regional philanthropic organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents across Essex County, Massachusetts. The fund was established in honor of R. Kingman “King” Webster, a Lawrence businessman and philanthropist who believed strongly in expanding access to opportunity and education for youth, particularly those experiencing poverty. The fund reflects this legacy by supporting programs that aim to close opportunity and achievement gaps for young people in the Greater Lawrence area. The primary purpose of the fund is to support educational and out-of-school time programming for youth in grades PK through 8. The funding prioritizes initiatives that respond directly to community needs with high-quality programming, promote measurable and sustainable outcomes, and provide enriching experiences that foster skill development, social-emotional growth, and exposure to new opportunities. Programs may occur during or outside of school hours and should demonstrate clear benefits to participating youth. While not required, the fund encourages partnerships between applicants and local school systems in Lawrence, Methuen, and Andover to strengthen program delivery and community impact. Grants of up to 40,000 dollars are available, and funding may be distributed over a two-year period in multiple payments. The funding is intended to support programmatic activities rather than capital expenses, debt reduction, or research. Organizations receiving funding must ensure that awarded funds are used specifically to benefit youth from the designated communities. The fund explicitly prohibits use of funds for political purposes, sectarian or religious programming, capital campaigns, or individual support. Eligibility is limited to organizations with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status that serve youth in the communities of Lawrence, Methuen, and Andover. Organizations located outside these areas may apply if they clearly demonstrate service to youth within the eligible geographic region. Programs operating under fiscal sponsorship may also apply if they meet requirements related to financial independence, governance, and formal agreements with their fiscal agents. The fund maintains a strong commitment to non-discrimination and expects applicants to demonstrate inclusive practices across staffing, program delivery, and organizational operations. The application process is conducted through an online portal, with applications opening in April and closing in May. Applicants are expected to submit detailed proposals outlining program design, community need, anticipated impact, and organizational capacity. Proposals are evaluated based on criteria such as clarity of need, program quality, equity and inclusion practices, financial stability, and the potential for meaningful impact on youth outcomes. While specific application components are not enumerated, standard grant submission materials are implied. Grant recipients are required to complete reporting at two key intervals: an interim report at the end of the first year and a final report at the conclusion of the second year. These reports must be submitted through the application portal and are necessary for continued eligibility in future funding cycles. The grant operates on an annual cycle, with recurring opportunities expected each year during the same general timeframe. For additional information or assistance, applicants may contact program staff at the Essex County Community Foundation. A named contact is available via email and phone, providing support throughout the application process. The fund represents an ongoing commitment to improving educational access and outcomes for youth in Greater Lawrence through strategic, community-informed grantmaking.